The Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and President of the Palestinian National Authority, after reviewing the draft law submitted by the Cabinet, and based on the proposal of the Minister of Social Affairs, and after the approval of the Legislative Council, issued the following law:
Article (2)
A person with a disability has the right to live freely and with dignity, as well as to access various services, just like any other citizen. They have the same rights and duties as others, within the limits of their abilities and capacities. Disability shall not be a reason preventing them from obtaining these rights.
Article (4)
In accordance with the provisions of the law, persons with disabilities have the right to form their own organizations and associations.
Article (6)
In accordance with the provisions of the law, the following items are exempt from fees, customs, and taxes: all educational, medical materials, assistive devices, and transportation means required for schools and institutions for persons with disabilities. Personal transportation means for the use of individuals with disabilities.
Article (8)
In accordance with the provisions of this law, in coordination with the Ministry, the concerned Ministry is responsible for granting and issuing the necessary licenses to carry out services, programs, and activities provided by the non-governmental sector for persons with disabilities, as well as supervising them.
Chapter Two: Special Rights
Article (10)
The Ministry is responsible for coordinating with all relevant parties to work on the care and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities in the following areas:
- Social Area: Determining the nature of the disability and its degree, assessing its impact on the person’s family, and providing the necessary assistance. Providing specialized services in care, relief, training, and education, prioritizing people with disabilities in family development programs. Providing institutional care for those severely disabled without caretakers. Supporting sheltered workshops. Issuing disability cards in the healthcare field. Diagnosing and classifying the degree of disability. Ensuring that persons with disabilities and their families receive healthcare services covered by government health insurance for free. Developing services for early detection of disabilities. Providing medical tools and devices as required by Article (5) of this law. Offering preventive and therapeutic services to reduce the incidence of disability in society.
- Education: Ensuring the right of persons with disabilities to equal opportunities to enroll in educational institutions, including universities, within the frameworks of applicable curricula. Providing necessary educational diagnosis to determine the nature and degree of disability. Providing suitable educational materials and facilities. Ensuring access to education at all levels for persons with disabilities according to their needs. Preparing qualified educators for teaching persons with disabilities according to their disability.
- Rehabilitation and Employment: Preparing skilled personnel to work with various categories of persons with disabilities. Ensuring the right to join rehabilitation and vocational training centers based on equal opportunities and providing vocational training programs for persons with disabilities. Requiring government and non-governmental institutions to hire at least 5% of persons with disabilities, depending on the nature of the work, with accommodations to suit them. Encouraging the employment of persons with disabilities in private institutions by providing tax incentives for those businesses.
- Recreation and Sports: Providing opportunities for sports and recreation for persons with disabilities by adapting sports venues, halls, camps, and clubs to their needs and providing necessary equipment. Supporting the participation of persons with disabilities in national and international sports programs. Reducing entrance fees to cultural, recreational, and heritage sites by 50% for persons with disabilities.
- Public Awareness: Conducting public awareness campaigns about disabilities, including causes, consequences, and needs. Publishing information related to prevention to reduce disability rates in society. Spreading general guidelines to help integrate persons with disabilities into society. Using sign language in television broadcasts.
Chapter Three: Accessibility of Public Spaces for Persons with Disabilities
Article (12)
The aim of accessibility is to create a suitable environment for persons with disabilities, ensuring ease and independence in movement, navigation, and safe use of public spaces.
Article (14)
The Ministries of Education and Higher Education must ensure an environment that meets the needs of persons with disabilities in schools, colleges, and universities.
Article (16)
The Ministry of Transportation must ensure an environment that facilitates the movement of persons with disabilities and provide special discounts on public transportation for them and their companions.
Chapter Four: Final Provisions
Article (18)
All provisions that contradict the provisions of this law are hereby repealed.
Article (20)
All relevant authorities are responsible for implementing the provisions of this law, which shall come into effect from the date of its publication in the official gazette.
Issued in Gaza City on: 9/8/1999, corresponding to: 27 of Rabi’ al-Akhir 1420H
Yasser Arafat
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization
President of the Palestinian National Authority
From the Palestinian Judicial and Legislative System – Al-Muqtafi, prepared by the Institute of Law at Birzeit University.