Palestinian disabled persons suffer a severe lack of services necessary for long-term care.
The Palestinian Authority cut assistance to the disabled after the Israeli siege began, owing to a shortage of funds.
A special Face the Public meeting addressed the desperately needed changes in government and NGOs policies towards the disabled, especially in education, health care and employment.
attended by 107 persons Guest speakers Dr.
Ali Khalifa, Director of the Education Department in Southern Gaza.
Mr.
Umar al-Dirbi, Director of the Social Affairs Office in Rafah.
Mr.
Sulaiman al-Rumi, PLC Member, Rafah Electoral District.
Summary of issues raised by the public
Participants raised the following key points: The handicapped are neglected in the OPTs.
They need much more attention and should have equal rights.
The PLC has achieved the Disabled Rights Law, yet the executive branch does not implement it.
The PLC is obliged to ensure the implementation of the law.
Some NGOs have developed curricula for the deaf, but the Ministry of Education (MOE) does not help.
The Ministry of Social Affairs, (MOSA) assistance was stopped instead of being improved according to law.
More efforts must be carried out to prevent disabilities.
They suggested that schoolchildren be screened in order to discover disabilities in their initial stages.
There are cases of discrimination against handicapped persons, especially in employment.
Summary of answers given by the guest speakers The MOE representative said its policy is to integrate the disabled in its schools and that his Ministry has complies with this policy.
He promised to provide technical assistance for the NGOs developing special curricula for the deaf.
The MOSA representative agreed that MOSA is not doing enough to help the handicapped because of the budget cuts.
He promised to help those who have dependents.
He said that a special center would be built in Rafah for them soon.
The PLC member asserted that the executive has to implement the handicapped law, which, if applied, will obligate the government to â€کgive them their rights,.
All of the speakers agreed that the services are insufficient and highlighted the role of NGOs.
They asked the participants to organize themselves and lobby the government to assign more funding for the handicapped.