His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday issued directives to formulate a national strategy for people with disabilities, which would address their demands and challenges they face, integrate them into society and coordinate efforts in the field.

The King entrusted HRH Prince Raad, Chief Chamberlain and president of the Higher Committee for Managing Projects for People with Disabilities, with the task of forming a Royal committee to draw up the strategy.

Stressing the importance of completing the strategy before the end of this year, the King said it would function as an umbrella for all services in this field.

King Abdullah issued the directives during a meeting with representatives of institutions caring for people with disabilities. Today's meeting was part of the King's efforts to communicate with the disabled and listen to their concerns.

Stressing his full support for the Committee for Managing Projects for People with Disabilities and other clubs and societies providing services for the disabled, King Abdullah said: “I am here to listen to your demands and needs. I gave instructions to draw up a national strategy for people with disabilities that will reduce the challenges you face and help you realise your goals; and at the same time I am ready to support all your demands.”

Also today, His Majesty the King issued instructions to provide the 76 societies and 12 clubs looking after people with disabilities in the country with financial assistance, so as to increase the number of their beneficiaries.

In addition, the King gave instructions to supply these institutions with wheelchairs, hearing aids and other equipment they require.

In his address during the meeting, Prince Raad said there was a great need for such a strategy, emphasising that it would meet the needs of this segment in the fields of health, rehabilitation and education.

Prince Raad also highlighted King Abdullah's support for this segment as well as efforts to build up their capabilities in order to increase their contribution to the development process.

A Social Development Ministry official said many efforts were being exerted to provide services for the disabled, but they were scattered, adding that the strategy would unify and upgrade these services.

The strategy will also help determine the exact number of people with disabilities in the country, as there are no clear statistics in this regard. Unofficial estimates put the figure at 220,000.

In addition, it will document the various types of disabilities, facilitating the provision of services and guaranteeing equality in distribution.

People with disabilities present at the meeting said the King's visit demonstrated his concern for them and filled them with hope.

“I was so happy to meet the King. Today's visit showed the King's great support for people with special needs,” table tennis player Khetam Muawad told The Jordan Times.

A gold medal winner at a recently concluded tournament in Switzerland, Muawad has been a member of the national table tennis team for people with special needs for 13 years.

The Jordan Times