Handicapped chief urges legal commitment to disabilities

Director-General of the Public Authority for People with Disabilities Jassem Al-Tamar said here on Wednesday it is necessary to abide by legal commitments to helping the handicapped by offering them better life conditions.
A congenial local atmosphere should be created for answering the needs of people with disabilities by means of providing appropriate educational, religious, social and sports curricula, he told a news conference.
He stressed the necessity of ensuring partnership between both public and private sectors in order to enable the handicapped to get incorporated in the society, saying it is the responsibility of the entire society to take care of this category of the society.
Just like other ordinary people, those with special needs should have their civil rights guaranteed as per Law No. 8/2010, Al-Tamar added.
This law stipulates that handicapped workers at all state bodies and the private sector should make up at least four percent of their staff, he said, noting that such agencies cannot reject the appointment of people with special needs.
Suitable means of transport, including special vehicles, should be provided to people with disabilities, the chief of the handicapped people body pointed out.
He voiced hope that such legal commitments would be fully met with a view to enabling the handicapped to lead better lives