MUSCAT, DEC 3
The Sultanate of Oman joins the world in celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025, observed annually on December 3, under the theme 'Building Inclusive Societies for Persons with Disabilities to Promote Social Progress'. This day is a global occasion aimed at promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society, raising awareness of their issues and the challenges they face, and emphasising the importance of their active participation in society.
The disability sector in the Sultanate of Oman has received the generous patronage of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. Last September, His Majesty issued directives to establish a new sector, at the level of under-secretary, within the Ministry of Social Development. This sector is responsible for monitoring and developing services provided to persons with disabilities, addressing challenges, ensuring their effective integration into society and facilitating their access to education at all levels.
The Ministry of Social Development places great importance on supporting and empowering people with disabilities. This year saw the launch of four protected, productive workshops in the wilayats of Nizwa, Al Mudhaibi, Al Rustaq and Salalah, targeting 236 beneficiaries with mild to moderate disabilities affiliated with Al Wafa Centres. The aim is to provide them with vocational training, economic empowerment, and enhanced integration into society and the labour market.
By the end of the first half of 2025, approximately 4,020 beneficiaries were enrolled in 41 government centres across the Sultanate of Oman, including private and non-profit organisations. The number of beneficiaries enrolled in private rehabilitation centres reached 4,478, distributed across 72 private centres, while 662 beneficiaries were enrolled in 11 community-based rehabilitation centres. All of these centres provide care and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities and contribute to the ministry's efforts to empower and integrate them into society.
The number of beneficiaries of assistive devices and support services during the first half of 2025 reached approximately 4,282, while the number of individuals issued disability cards during the same period reached 2,633, bringing the total number of cardholders to 68,071. This reflects the expansion of services and the development of the support system. At the international level, the National Autism Centre achieved a significant milestone by joining the QABA (Qualifying Association for Applied Behaviour Analysis) as the first full member in the Arab region within the network. It also received renewed accreditation as an "Autism Centre Accredited" from the International Board on Continuing Education Standards and Accreditation (IBCCES) in the United States. This reflects the Sultanate of Oman's commitment to enhancing the quality of services provided to individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
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