Entrepreneurship programmes for differently-abled citizens are on the way.
Legal Affairs Minister and acting Labour Minister Yousif Khalaf made the announcement at the first-ever People of Determination Parliament that convened yesterday.
The session – chaired by Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam – featured the participation of 37 people of determination who were elected from disability centres and clubs across the kingdom.
Ministers, government officials and representatives of disability centres and societies attended the meeting at the National Assembly Complex in Gudaibiya, where measures to empower the group were highlighted.
Mr Khalaf said that existing employment and training programmes will be aligned with rehabilitation centres and ministry’s job-placement channels.
“We have cracked down on companies that failed to offer jobs for the differently abled, despite being mandated by the law. The violators have been referred to the Public Prosecution,” he added.
“Challenges remain regarding the acceptance of assigned roles by people of determination, as well as employers’ difficulty in identifying suitable vacancies. These issues are also being addressed.”
Social Development Minister Osama Al Alawi affirmed the government’s commitment to expanding rights and services for people of determination, describing their Parliament representatives as ‘champions of Bahrain’.
“Among you are the kingdom’s heroes – conscious, balanced and capable,” he told attendees. “Your proposals are practical and actionable, and we are determined to start implementing them. This is only the beginning.”
The minister revealed that full electronic integration of services for the disabled will be completed by 2026, alongside the launch of a comprehensive statistics platform.
He confirmed that more than 15,000 Bahrainis are registered as having disabilities, benefiting from services including physical therapy, permanent or temporary residential care, financial support, and fee reductions.
He also highlighted progress in the Social Insurance Law, which ensures that those who meet disability criteria automatically receive all state benefits.
A specialised Disability Assessment Committee, he said, ensures consistent evaluation standards.
Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma emphasised that disability inclusion has been embedded in Bahrain’s education strategy.
“The Bahrain Teachers College now includes mandatory modules on teaching students with special needs,” he said.
Over the past two years, new programmes have been introduced for teachers, and next year the ministry will open 54 new inclusion classrooms – up from the current 13.
He confirmed that students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) follow a tailored evaluation system ‘while remaining fully integrated as mainstream students’, and that special education centres will fall under the ministry’s jurisdiction in the new education law being reviewed by the Shura Council.
People of Determination Parliament members came up with recommendations to strengthen legal protections.
- Abdulaziz Al Hamri stressed the need to make a list of professions suitable for people with specific disabilities, rather than treat all cases equally.
- Sharifa Al Malki urged higher unemployment benefits for the disabled and extending the duration of support.
- Abdulaziz Al Mahari, who holds a master’s degree but has been unemployed for 10 years, called for housing exemptions for applicants with disabilities under the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry.
- Amal Fareed Ahmed demanded compulsory accessible design standards for all new buildings, mandatory disability-access courses for engineering students, creation of a National Accessibility Award, and the introduction of sign-language programmes in schools.
- Sayed Hassan Al Ghurayfi called for licensed sign-language translators in courts, hospitals and police stations, and stressed the need to adopt traffic-style visual signalling systems in public facilities.
- Radhi Al Ali urged greater healthcare accessibility for deaf residents, calling for converting audible alerts – such as alarms or appointment calls – into light-based signals. He said similar systems were needed at King Fahad Causeway and Bahrain International Airport.
The session also unanimously approved an urgent proposal to establish a National Day for People of Determination to honour their contributions and promote awareness.
Mr Al Musallam said hosting the session reflects Bahrain’s commitment to ‘placing people of determination at the heart of parliamentary decision-making’.
“This parliament is for you, and your voice is central to our democratic fabric,” he said.
“Your proposals today will shape future legislation and strengthen the nation’s commitment to equality and dignity.”
The proposals have been referred to Parliament’s services committee to draft properly before referral to the Cabinet for review.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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