Egypt issues 'White Cards' to guarantee rights of disabled

CAIRO – 16 December 2018: Omniah Mohsen, director of the Disability Unit at Beni Suef University, said that people with special needs can obtain the white card after undergoing psychological and physical examination.

The White Card will, according to Mohsen, grant people with special needs a number of benefits, including reduction of or exemption from study expenses, reduction of transportation fare, and free treatment in governmental hospitals.

The person carrying the White Card will also be allowed to enter some beaches, gardens and parks for free, including the Giza Zoo, Alexandria's Montaza gardens, the Graeco-Roman Museum and Maamoura, Mohsen said, adding that they will also be granted pension.

During the first Arab forum for special education schools held in Sharm El-Sheikh on October 1, Egypt's President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi announced allocating LE 500 million ($27.8 million) from Tahya Masr (Long Live Egypt) fund for supporting people with special needs.

Sisi said that the amount will be at the disposal of Minister of Education and Technical Education Tarek Shawqi to serve the ministry's project for people with special needs.

Sisi said disability is a social issue that requires collaborative efforts from the government, civil society organizations and the private sector.