Ammon News - The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) Monday inaugurated the multi-purpose playground of Bait Illiqa Centre for persons with disabilities.

The establishment of the multi-purpose playground is part of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)-funded project: Strengthening Community Mental Health and Disability Services for Vulnerable Populations" that supports the de-institutionalisation (De-I) of persons with disabilities, which seeks their inclusion and transforming residential centres into daycare centres.

Ambassador of Italy to Jordan Fabio Cassese, who attended the ceremony, said, "The government of Italy firmly supports Jordan national agenda for the de-institutionalisation of persons with disabilities in line with Law 20/2017 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and praises the efforts exerted by the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as the driving agent behind this challenging process.

"Through our longstanding partnership with WHO, we support the creation and the strengthening of comprehensive and integrated mental health and social care services at the community level, as a key to help social cohesion and promote inclusive communities."

Jamela Raiby, the WHO representative to Jordan, praised the efforts to develop services for children with developmental disorders and disabilities and their families on all different levels, in coordination with all stakeholders.

Emilio Cabasino, the head of the AICS, said, "We are confident that this playground, besides representing a safe space to support child development through play activities, could become a place to promote encounter, exchange and social interactions with ‘others’ and contribute as a small seed to building a society of tomorrow that can be fair, inclusive, respectful of diversities and capable to enable each one of us to take his role in the society."

Chiara Giorgio, who is in charge of the Bait Illiqa Centre, praised the Italian government and the WHO for their support." This playground will be a sign of great hope for a new beginning in our lives. It is an important part of the village that Bait Illiqa dreams of for our children, youth and their families, which will increase the opportunities of interaction and integration in the community."

The Bait Illiqa Centre for persons with disabilities is a charitable, voluntary humanitarian centre whose goal is to train and rehabilitate persons with disabilities and activate their role in society.