Workshops Wrap Up in Aqaba to Boost Political Participation of People with Disabilities

Aqaba: The Independent Election Commission, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Jordanian Coalition for Persons with Disabilities, has concluded a series of workshops in Aqaba. These workshops, which concluded on Wednesday, brought together 206 participants from various disability associations and individuals with disabilities from across Jordan. The workshops focused on the importance of political engagement for people with disabilities within the electoral and party systems. They aimed to demonstrate how this group can play a crucial role in shaping legislation and policies by electing representatives who will advocate for their needs and rights. During the sessions, the Commission outlined the election and party laws, explained voting procedures, and detailed special accommodations designed to facilitate voting for people with disabilities. Qais Irsheidat, Head of the Civil Society Department at the Independent Election Commission, said measures include the establ ishment of 95 model centers equipped to assist voters with disabilities, the provision of visual communication tools for those with hearing impairments, and the launch of an electronic platform dedicated to creating a safe online environment for women and individuals with disabilities. Diana Jreisat, Program Coordination Specialist at UNDP Jordan, confirmed that these workshops are part of the "Supporting Inclusive Elections for Persons with Disabilities" project, which is funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation and supports Jordan's 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals. Ahmad Louzi, Head of the Jordanian Coalition for Persons with Disabilities, praised the workshops as a vital first step towards strengthening collaboration with the Independent Election Commission and UNDP. He noted that the coalition will continue to work on enhancing the capabilities of people with disabilities, underscoring the significance of these workshops in improving their access to voting an d political participation. Source: Jordan News Agency