Building Bridges and Blending Fringes: Social Protection for People with Disabilities in Karak, Jordan

Overview:

This project seeks to empower a community-based organisation (CBO) in Karak, Jordan - Mateen Charitable Organisation of Karak (MCOK) - to advocate for People with Disabilities (PWDs) using evidence-based research.  By using the most effective tools currently at hand, the WANA Institute  seeks to empower MCOK to carry out monitoring and evaluation both externally – through a systemic reporting system – and publicly, through a social media awareness campaign.  With all Jordanian government ministries and law enforcement branches maintaining a presence on social media – especially on Twitter – the intended effect is that a direct line of communication is maintained between community members and the relevant authorities responsible for carrying out the law on the Rights of People with Disabilities No. (20) for the Year 2017.  By partnering with a youth-led CBO in Karak, WANA seeks to set a pattern of active civil society advocacy for PWDs and other marginalised groups and, on the way, establish meaningful engagement between CBOs, the Ministry of Social Development,  and other relevant authorities.  The project is implemented in partnership with Expertise France, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development and funded by the European Union.

Project Objective:

The project aims to (1) enhance CBO monitoring and evaluation of government policy implementation concerning people with disabilities (PWDs) and other marginalised groups, (2) empower PWDs and their caretakers to convey their needs to both the government and the general public, (3) empower citizens to play an active role in the social protection of PWDs.

Methodology:

1. Training MCOK to establish a proper reporting system in which local community members electronically submit reports (incidents) of social hindrances to PWDs and other marginalised groups (end-users). This involves training MCOK to design and manage the report form, setting a time-table for sharing reports, setting a time-table for report follow-up, teaching community members how to use the form, publicising the system to end-users, and coming to agreements with correspondents at the relevant ministries on how to address them.

2. Overseeing a transfer of knowledge from PWDs and their caretakers to MCOK staff.

3. Helping MCOK launch a social media campaign that gives a platform to report incidences of public infrastructure failing to comply with laws and regulations meant to protect PWDs and more broadly raise public awareness of the challenges PWDs face.