People with Disabilities
Bahrain pays considerable attention to people with special needs, preserving their rights as equal members of society. The Kingdom values the role they play as contributors to society and in supporting SDG efforts.
Bahrain’s constitution guarantees the rights, enacting laws to protect and support them.
National Strategy for Persons with Disabilities
The Kingdom’s National Strategy for Persons with Disabilities includes guidelines and plans covering the government sector, civil society institutions, companies, private institutions, the teaching and legal professions, and society as a whole.
The strategy obligates civil society to adopt practices that guarantee the dignified and respectful treatment of people with disabilities, ensuring that they remain an essential part of society. The state protects their human rights by removing barriers to equality and eliminating all forms of discrimination.
Legislation Related to People with Disabilities
A Higher Committee for Persons with Disabilities was formed in accordance with the Law on Persons with Disabilities in Bahrain. It is headed by the Minister of Social Development, with the membership of senior officials from the Government, civil society, and the private sector. Several laws and official decisions have been issued, which reaffirm the government's commitment.
The Ministry of Social Development is the government entity responsible for matters related to people with disabilities. It coordinates with the public and private sectors to facilitate access to services such as social allowances, transportation, including public transport, public utilities, health care, education, rehabilitation, career development, sports, and more.
Most Government entities and civil society institutions offer people with disabilities special care, providing them with social support, healthcare, and cultural activities, in addition to training and rehabilitation, and helping them to become more integrated into society and the labour market.
Government and Private Sector Initiatives for People with Disabilities
- The Government has implemented several initiatives, in coordination with private agencies, to support people with disabilities, including, but not limited to:
- A Ministry of Interior initiative to launch a visual service for people with disabilities as part of its emergency services, and equipping it with features, such as sign language
- A Ministry of Education initiative to integrate students with disabilities into public schools
- Equipping public parks, ministries, commercial centres, airports, hotels, and mosques to accommodate persons with disabilities
- Ministries, banks, and commercial centres’ assistance with daily transactions, including the provision of wheelchairs at all the Kingdom’s service centres
- An initiative to support people with disabilities in sports under the patronage of the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the Bahrain Sports Federation for Disabilities
- A Supreme Council for Youth and Sports initiative to support and integrate people with disabilities into activities and sports such as equestrianism, horse racing, football, and others
Benefits Offered by the Kingdom of Bahrain to Citizens with Disabilities
- Free care, rehabilitation, treatment, and education
- Permanent and temporary residential care and daycare
- Financial support
- Academic and professional qualifications
- Prosthetic devices and hearing aids according to specified requirements and regulations
- Special privileges to holders of ID cards issued for people with disabilities
- Free driving lessons
- Two hours of rest for employees with disabilities or for those who take care of persons with disabilities.
- Assessment and diagnosis, issuance of approved medical reports, and individual treatment plans
- Physical, occupational, speech, and language therapy
- Quality services for holders of the new national ID