Amman Arab University Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in the Presence of HRH Prince Mired Bin Raad
In line with its commitment to social responsibility and the enhancement of rights for students with disabilities, Amman Arab University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The MoU aims to provide technical support to facilitate the enrollment of students with disabilities at Amman Arab University. The agreement was signed in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Mired Bin Raad, Chief Secretary and President of the Council, and Dr. Omar Mashhour Al-Jazy, Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees.
On behalf of the Higher Council, the MoU was signed by HRH Prince Mired Bin Raad, while the university was represented by the President, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Al-Widyan. The signing was also attended by Ms. Nadia Al-Qidimat, Vice President for Financial and Administrative Affairs, Dr. Wafa' Al-Eid, Dean of the Faculty of Educational and Psychological Sciences, Dr. Naseba Al-Sawa, Head of the Department of Administration and Teaching Methods, Dr. Nabil Hamidan, Head of the Special Education Department, and Mr. Wadih Massmar, Director of the Public Relations and Media Department, alongside Dr. Mahand Al-Azza, Secretary-General of the Council.
On this occasion, HRH Prince Mired emphasized that the Council seeks, through such partnerships with higher education institutions, to provide the necessary technical support to help these institutions continuously support their staff in achieving this goal and enhancing the integration of students with disabilities into higher education, in addition to increasing the employment rate for persons with disabilities.
The MoU is in implementation of the legal obligation placed on higher education institutions, as outlined in Articles (21) and (22), and stemming from the principles contained in Article (4) of the Disability Rights Law No. (20) of 2017, which ensures the provision of reasonable accommodations, accessible formats, and universal design for persons with disabilities. These are essential requirements for enabling them to exercise their right to education on an equal basis with others and reducing physical barriers and behavioral obstacles within higher education institutions. The signing of the MoU also follows the commitments made by Amman Arab University at the Third Global Disability Summit, which was chaired by His Majesty King Abdullah II and the German Chancellor in early April 2025 in Berlin.
Dr. Al-Jazy, Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, stated that this MoU represents a strategic step within the university’s vision to promote justice, equality, and the principles of human rights on campus. He emphasized that supporting students with disabilities is a national and developmental necessity. He also pointed out that the comprehensive inclusion approach has received the highest attention in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as evidenced by the inclusion of several principles supporting the rights of persons with disabilities in the recent constitutional amendments passed as part of the political modernization committee's outcomes. This reflects a firm national commitment to empowering this group and ensuring their active participation in all aspects of life, with education being a priority. Dr. Al-Jazy also commended HRH Prince Mired’s patronage of this collaboration and praised the Council’s role in supporting educational institutions by providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to develop an inclusive learning environment.
Dr. Al-Widyan, President of the University, noted that signing the MoU with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, under the patronage and presence of HRH Prince Mired, reaffirms Amman Arab University’s commitment to embodying the values of justice, inclusion, and equal opportunities within its academic environment. He praised HRH Prince Mired’s leadership in supporting and empowering persons with disabilities and the Council’s efforts in developing policies and practices that support their rights in education and employment. He further confirmed that the university is continuously working to develop its infrastructure and educational services to be more inclusive and will strive, through this MoU, to transform human rights principles into tangible realities that positively impact the lives of students with disabilities, enabling their success and full integration into university life.
Ms. Al-Qidimat, Vice President for Financial and Administrative Affairs, emphasized that Amman Arab University is working, through its current construction projects, to prepare its buildings and facilities to be accessible and considerate of the needs of persons with disabilities, in line with the national building code for accessibility. This will enhance their independence and ability to move freely within the campus. Dr. Wafa’ Al-Eid, Dean of the Faculty of Educational and Psychological Sciences, added that the faculty is committed to integrating inclusive education concepts into its curricula by considering individual differences among students and including teaching strategies that meet the needs of students with disabilities, ensuring an inclusive and fair learning environment.
According to the MoU, the Higher Council will provide technical and knowledge support to Amman Arab University in several key areas, including preparing the infrastructure in compliance with accessibility building codes, integrating inclusive education concepts, communicating effectively with persons with disabilities, and embedding human rights methodologies into academic curricula. It will also support the accessibility of online platforms for students with disabilities in blended learning courses.
The MoU also includes provisions for providing accessible educational materials, such as Braille, large print, simplified electronic versions, and sign language, as well as incorporating sign language into educational materials. Additionally, it outlines the automation of services provided to students with disabilities to facilitate their access.
The MoU also includes the establishment of a specialized center for accessibility at Amman Arab University to provide academic, psychological, and administrative support to students with disabilities, as well as offering tuition discounts for students with disabilities enrolled at the university.
This collaboration reflects higher education institutions' commitment to embodying human rights principles on campus and achieving justice and inclusivity in access to education, in alignment with national and international standards.
