Middle East

Introduced by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the creation of the international “Accessible Tourism Destination” aims to make sure that a destination can be enjoyed by any tourist, regardless of their physical, sensory or cognitive abilities. Development and implementation of the Accessible Tourism Destination(s), that shifts the focus on the availability of tourism… Continue Reading »

In 2005, the ruling Justice and Development Party adopted Turkey’s first Disability Law as a part of its European Union accession process. In 2007, Turkey signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities, which it ratified in 2009. Yet due to poor implementation and enforcement and a lingering social stigma,… Continue Reading »

Event details: Jerusalem, Israel, September 8 – 10, 2019 The conference aims to share insights and experiences on the following topics: Accessibility in Cities of the Ancient World Personal Perspectives, Theory, Accessible Tourism for People with Disabilities, Residence in Ancient Cities, Innovation and Technological Support for Accessibility, and Public Policy Promoting Accessibility. The conference will… Continue Reading »

Hamad Hospital, named after the former emir of Qatar, has 100 beds and helps people who lost their limbs in conflict. Qatar opened the first prosthetic hospital and a disability rehab centre in the Gaza Strip on Monday, overcoming obstacles that delayed the much-needed project in the besieged Palestinian enclave. Rafat Lubad, the local director of… Continue Reading »

Recognizing the challenges persons with disabilities face throughout the various aspects of their lives, Bank al Etihad partnered with Accessible Jordan to minimize these obstacles starting from within the Bank – consequently promoting accessibility and ensuring inclusion for all clients, particularly those with physical disabilities. Under the mutual partnership, Accessible Jordan will extend a set of services and recommendations… Continue Reading »

Access Israel is the leading non-profit organization in Israel dedicated to promoting accessibility and inclusion for people with all kinds of disabilities and the elderlies to improve their lives in all spheres of life. The 7th international conference will take place on May 26th, 2019 and will focus on “The Future of Accessibility”. The goal of this… Continue Reading »

ISRAEL: Ikea is the largest furniture manufacturer in the world. But its sleek designs, filled with handle-less drawers and low-profile furniture, aren’t necessarily friendly to the needs of people with disabilities.  Now Ikea Israel has teamed up with the nonprofits Milbat and Access Israel, each of which specializes in making the world more accessible, to develop a series… Continue Reading »

TURKEY: The World Disability Union (WDU) 7th General Assembly, side events as well as WDU Accessible World Tourism Center introduction are set to be held on 27-28 April 2019 in Dalaman/Muğla.   The World Disability Union (WDU) was established as an inclusive umbrella organization for 400 sub-organizations from 88 countries with the approvals of Turkish Republic… Continue Reading »

EGYPT: On 5 March, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi agreed to a draft law to establish the National Council of People with Disabilities Law No.11 of 2019. “People with special needs in Egypt represent 9-10 percent of the total population,”Sisi said during International Day of Persons with Disabilities event. The establishment of the Disabilities Council… Continue Reading »