Gov’t presents efforts to boost rights of people with disabilities Monday

CAIRO – 24 December 2018: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi is set to discuss affairs of persons with disabilities in a Monday conference, according to presidential spokesperson Bassam Rady.

The conference will present the government’s efforts to raise awareness on the rights of persons with disabilities and guarantee independent and better lives for them.

“The event comes within the state’s efforts to serve all categories of the society,where the government is implementing many social protection programs to provide persons with disabilities with services and rehabilitation,” Rady said in a press statement Monday.

This coincides with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s decision to issue the executive regulations of the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The decision, which was published in the official gazette, indicates that all ministries and concerned authorities must adhere to all regulations of the law.

Ending the Year of People with Special Needs: A look at Egypt, disability

CAIRO - 9 December 2018: Eyes closed shut on a single bed in a small apartment, the 'invisible man' slept. The air smelt of abandonment and solitude. Life could not have visited this place in a long time; joy never stayed here. Individuals living with different forms of disabilities are often marginalized and ostracized.

On Sunday, the Parliament approved a bill introduced by the government on issuing the Law of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.

The bill was discussed by the House of Representatives’ committees of social solidarity, family, and handicapped people, along with the bureaus of the committees of legislative and constitutional affairs and budget.

The law aims at abiding by the international standards as well as maintaining rights of the disabled people and providing them with comprehensive care and protection.

President Sisi declared 2018 as the year of people with disabilities, during which several initiatives have been launched to support an independent and easy live for them.
Moreover, the Housing Ministry decided to allocate 5 percent of the residential units established by the government for people with disabilities per donations.

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

The government recently announced issuing white cards for people with special needs, which will grant them a number of benefits, including reduction of or exemption from study expenses, reduction of transportation fare, and free treatment in governmental hospitals.

Passengers with disabilities continue to receive discounted metro tickets despite prices hike.

For the law on People with Disabilities, check here:

Deep look on people challenged with disabilities in Egypt

CAIRO - 24 February 2018: Through the initiative of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to declare 2018 as the year of those challenged with a disability, numerous efforts and decisions have been taken to assure them proper living conditions, but indeed more efforts need to be exerted.