Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The Ministry of Public Works and Housing, in cooperation with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), on Monday launched a 10-year national plan to rectify conditions of existing public buildings and facilities for the years 2019 to 2029, under the patronage of Prime Minister Omar Razzaz.

The launch of the plan comes is in implementation of provisions of Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities No. 20 of 2017, and in compliance with construction code related to accessibility, to achieve a free from physical barriers environment that enables persons with disabilities to have access to various facilities and services independently and on an equal basis with others.

Razzaz said the government places the rights and issues of persons with disabilities at the top of its priorities.

He added, during the launching ceremony, that this plan is one of the most important long-term national plans, as it addresses a vital issue for persons with disabilities. It aims also to remove physical environmental barriers to access to public buildings, facilities and services for persons with disabilities, just like others, Razzaz noted.

The Prime Minister stressed that all relevant ministries and government departments are obliged to place the issue of persons with disabilities on top of their priorities, in continuous coordination and consultation with the HCD to enforce provisions of the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other relevant legislation, policies and plans.

HCD President, HRH Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein, stressed the importance of concerted efforts to implement the plan's themes and the need to engage persons with disabilities and their organizations in the process of implementation of the plan and its follow-up on it.

The Minister of Public Works and Housing, Falah Omoush, underlined the Ministry's constant efforts to apply the latest international practices and technological techniques to provide the foundations for the rehabilitation of public buildings and facilitate their utilization.

He pointed out that the new building requirements code for persons with disabilities is a national achievement that reflects the latest standards and best practices in the field of environmental adaptation and the empowerment of persons with disabilities to use public facilities and access to their services.