Jordan Daily – Marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) has issued its first comprehensive list identifying national and international institutions in Jordan that demonstrated the strongest commitment to inclusion standards and service quality in 2025.
The classification- based on HCD’s quantitative monitoring, field visits, and institutional partnerships – highlights leading performers across education, accessibility, employment, independent living, protection from violence, media engagement, and international cooperation, HCD said in a statement received by Jordan Daily.
Education Sector
Several public and private schools were recognized for exemplary inclusive education practices. Leading public schools included Khawla Bint Al-Azwar Secondary School for Girls (North Shouneh), Naseeba Al-Mazniya Mixed Secondary School (Al-Jeeza), and four schools under the Marka and Ain Al-Basha directorates. Among private institutions, Al-Ahliyya and Al-Mutran School, the Evangelical Episcopal Arab School (Irbid), Jordan Alliance Academy, North City Academy for Early Intervention, and the National Orthodox School ranked highest.
HCD also highlighted the establishment of new inclusive KG classrooms at Abdullah ibn Umm Maktoum School.
In higher education, Yarmouk University, the Hashemite University, Jordan University of Science and Technology (Centennial Library), Karak University College, and the University of Jordan topped the public sector. Al-Hussein Technical University was the highest-ranked institution governed by special regulations.
Accessibility and Environmental Adaptation
Top performers included the Bus Rapid Transit stations at Tareq, Sweileh, and the Jordan Museum, as well as Queen Alia International Airport. Leading government entities included the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Health, the Civil Service Bureau, Irbid Health Directorate, the Senate, and the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission. In the justice sector, Jerash and Salt courthouses led the civil judiciary, while Sweileh, Irbid, and Arjan Sharia courts led in the Sharia judiciary.
Prominent facilities in the public health sector included Princess Iman Hospital (Ajloun), New Salt Hospital, and several Irbid-based hospitals and health centers.
In the voluntary health sector, the Institute for Family Health ranked first across its branches.
Among private companies, Orange Jordan (Seventh Circle and Irbid showrooms), Umniah (Gardens), and Zain headquarters were recognized for meeting accessibility building codes. Leading accessible tourist sites included the Jordan Museum, Petra Museum, the Children’s Museum, the Royal Tank Museum, and the Citadel, which has begun implementing new accessibility works. Restaurants and hotels in Zarqa, Amman, Balqa, Aqaba, and the Dead Sea were also acknowledged.
Employment of Persons with Disabilities
HCD itself led government institutions with a 28.9% employment rate of persons with disabilities, followed by the Civil Service Bureau (7.5%), the Hajj Fund (3.9%), and the Ministry of Higher Education (3.5%). Other compliant institutions included the Greater Amman Municipality, the Ministry of Social Development, the Department of Lands and Survey, and the Ministries of Finance, Youth, Health, and Education. The Ministry of Labor increased its wage contribution for employees with disabilities under the National Employment Program.
In the private sector, Rimara Park for Packaging led with a 20% employment rate, followed by factories in Irbid and other governorates, as well as restaurants, pharmaceutical companies, and hotels. In banking, the International Arab Islamic Bank, Housing Bank, and Arab Bank topped the list. In the military sector, the employment rate reached 2% for civilians appointed in both the Armed Forces and Public Security Directorate.
Independent Living, Rehabilitation, and Care
Several government-run integrated day service centers – including those in Irbid, Jerash, Ramtha, and Al-Koura – were recognized, alongside Bayt Al-Liqa (Madaba). Leading private and voluntary rehabilitation institutions included Al-Hussein Society, Sanaa Association, the Muslim Girls Association, South Association for Special Education, and the National Community Rehabilitation Society.
Al-Amal Center in Russeifa was noted as the first residential institution fully transitioning into an inclusive day-service model, integrating 34% of its beneficiaries. Karak and Tafilah centers followed with 17% and 11% integration rates.
Accreditation, Protection, and Media Coverage
Several long-accredited centers maintained high service quality, including Al-Bunayyat Center, Al-Masar Child Development Center, Nazek Al-Hariri Center, Our Lady of Peace Center, and others.
In protection from violence, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Health, and the Family Protection Department topped the list for robust safeguards and response mechanisms. Other institutions recognized for developing anti-violence frameworks included the National Council for Family Affairs, the Higher Population Council, the National Center for Human Rights, and the Jordanian National Commission for Women.
Media organizations demonstrating strong, objective disability coverage included the Community Media Network, Petra News Agency, Al-Mamlaka TV, Sada Al-Shaab, and Al-Ghad. Additional outlets showed consistent engagement, including Roya TV, Jordan Radio, Public Security Radio, and Hayat FM.
International Organizations and Banking Services
International partners acknowledged for strong cooperation included the German BMZ, GIZ, KfW, the World Bank, the European Union, UN agencies, CBM, KOICA, the Italian Cooperation Agency, the UK FCDO, HI, Irish Aid, and USAID.
Banks demonstrating strong compliance with the Central Bank’s 2018 inclusion instructions included the International Arab Islamic Bank (Abu Alanda branch), the Jordan Islamic Bank (Jabal Al-Hussein), Cairo Amman Bank (Wadi Saqra), Housing Bank (Jubaiha and Madaba), and Jordan Kuwait Bank.
Complaint Response, Capacity Building, and Crisis Preparedness
Top responders to disability-related inquiries included the Ministry of Interior, Public Security Directorate, Ministry of Health hospitals, Royal Medical Services, the National Aid Fund, Civil Status and Passports Department, Greater Amman Municipality, and the Ministry of Education’s Internal Audit Directorate.
Institutions most active in seeking technical support included the Institute of Banking Studies, ASEZA, the Independent Election Commission, the Public Security Directorate, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
The National Center for Security and Crisis Management topped the list for integrating disability needs into national preparedness and response plans.
Local Government and Municipal Initiatives
Irbid Governorate and its council were recognized for funding accessibility projects and adapting public spaces and Yarmouk University. The Karak Governorate Council allocated JD 90,000 for school adaptation and assistive devices, while Ma’an Governorate Council allocated JD 30,000. ASEZA, PDTRA, and the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company were noted for supporting disability ID committees in the south.
HCD also confirmed that it has prepared, for the first time, a parallel list identifying institutions that recorded exclusion, discrimination, or non-compliance with disability legislation. This list will be used to engage leadership and support targeted improvements in 2026.
