People with disability in Algeria are protected under the law. Algeria has adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Arab Charter on Human Rights. Algeria is working to make the country more accessible to people with disabilities. Overall, about 2.5 percent of the country has some type of disability with men having a higher rate of disability than women.
One of the earliest descriptions of people using sign language occurs during the 4th century in Tagaste, which was located in what is now modern Algeria. [1]
Early traditional views of people with blindness in countries in North Africa involved beliefs that it was based on family curses or djinn. [2] Communities provided for the poor and people with disabilities through a special social tax called a zakât . [3] Families also believed that marabouts could heal sick or disabled children, though marabouts, who used "mystical practices" were later denounced in 1930s. [3]
In the early 20th century, the French had an influence on Algeria in relationship to helping people with blindness. [3] A training workshop for people with blindness was created in Algiers in 1902. [4] Later, schools for teaching Braille were also created in Algiers. [4] Many children who were blind were sent to France to study on various scholarships. [4]
In the 1940s, the government gave money to Muslim charities to help aid individuals with disabilities. [5] Schools and institutions often favored the French and European individuals as opposed to the native Muslim Algerians. [6] In the late 1940s, blind Algerians, such as André Balliste, fought for their rights. [7] They were able to finally secure full rights in 1951. [7]
In the 1950s, individuals could be issued a disability or blindness card which allowed them access to various accommodations. [8]
In a 2006 survey, it was found that the rate of disability in Algeria was higher among men than in women. [9] Overall, the survey found that the rate of disability in the population overall is around 2.5 percent. [9] A 2017 survey found that 1.3 percent of the population has a developmental disability. [10]
Individuals with disabilities often have a higher rate of poverty in Algeria. [11]
Landmines, which were placed in Algeria during World War II and from other conflicts have caused physical disabilities in the country. [12] [13]
The Algerian government has passed laws which prevent discrimination against people with disabilities. [14] The Ministry of Vocational Training and Education works to provide equal access to all groups of people, including people with disabilities to work and get vocational education. [15]
People who have disability benefits in Algeria receive funds based on the extent of their disability. [16] There is also a 100% grant for people with full disability under La Pension Handicapée. [17]
Algeria is a member of the League of Arab States and signed onto the 2004 Arab Charter on Human Rights. [18] Article 40 recognizes the human rights of people with disabilities. [18] Algeria submitted an initial report on their progress in implementing the rights for people with disabilities in 2009. [19]
Non-governmental organizations (NGO) receive a small portion of their financial budget from the government. [14]
Humanity & Inclusion began to work in Algeria in 1998. [20] The organization works towards the rights of people with disabilities and inclusive education. [20]
In 2002, Algeria passed a law protecting people with disabilities and which provided the following benefits: access to specialized hospitals, prosthetics and free transportation. [12] Individuals who have become disabled do to landmine explosions are also provided guaranteed a minimum income and housing assistance. [12] The law defines people with disabilities broadly and includes individuals who were born with disabilities as well as people who acquired them later in life. [21] This law also works to provide accessibility for people with disabilities in the public sphere. [21]
In January 2003, Executive Decree No. 03-45 was created to provide implementation of welfare and financial aid for people with disabilities. [22] In April and October of that year, wilaya specialist medical and educational committees were created through Executive Decree No. 03-175 and 03-333 respectively. [22]
Reduced fares and free transportation for people with disabilities was provided through Executive Decree No. 06–144 in April 2006. [22] Also that same month, Executive Decree No. 06-145 was created to specify the membership and responsibilities of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities. [22] In December 2006, accessibility was addressed by Executive Decree No. 06-455. [22] This decree also addresses "reasonable accommodations" in different environments. [21]
Two Executive Decrees in 2008 specify the creation of supported employment centres and sheltered workshops. [23]
Algeria ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on May 12, 2009, through Presidential Decree No. 09-188. [24]
In 2011, Prime Ministerial Instruction No. 368 specifies the mainstreaming of disability in several programmes. [15]
Algeria, in 1998, ordered that children who are in hospitals long-term must be provided education. [25] Also that year, special education classes for hearing and visually impaired children was opened in the national education system. [26] The Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of National Solidarity work to make sure that children with disabilities are able to fully access education whether they have a physical disability, sensory impairment or mental disability. [26] [27] Schools teaching blind children use sound libraries and Braille. [28]
By the end of 2013, children with disabilities were passing primary school at a rate of 92.26%, lower secondary education at a rate of 58.36%, and earning a high school diploma at a rate of 47.10%. [28] Many schools are not staffed with teachers who have training for special education. [14]
Algeria's National Office for Assistive Devices works to obtain, create and distribute necessary physical and technical aids to people with disabilities. [21] Several of the country's ministries work with the National Commission on Accessibility to monitor implementation of building and public space accessibility. [29]
Transport in Algeria has been modified to provide physical accessibility in several ways. Metro platforms have direct access for people with physical disabilities and provide special seating and room to maneuver on trains. [30] Edges of platforms are marked with tactile paving. [31] Similar modifications have been made on buses. [31]
Blindness in many Muslim countries does not affect the social status of the individual. [2]
Disability is the experience of any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or have equitable access within a given society. Disabilities may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, sensory, or a combination of multiple factors. Disabilities can be present from birth or can be acquired during a person's lifetime. Historically, disabilities have only been recognized based on a narrow set of criteria—however, disabilities are not binary and can be present in unique characteristics depending on the individual. A disability may be readily visible, or invisible in nature.
Accessibility is the design of products, devices, services, vehicles, or environments so as to be usable by people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design and practice of accessible development ensures both "direct access" and "indirect access" meaning compatibility with a person's assistive technology.
People with disabilities in the United States are a significant minority group, making up a fifth of the overall population and over half of Americans older than eighty. There is a complex history underlying the U.S. and its relationship with its disabled population, with great progress being made in the last century to improve the livelihood of disabled citizens through legislation providing protections and benefits. Most notably, the Americans with Disabilities Act is a comprehensive anti-discrimination policy that works to protect Americans with disabilities in public settings and the workplace.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international human rights treaty of the United Nations intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Parties to the convention are required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities and ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy full equality under the law. The Convention serves as a major catalyst in the global disability rights movement enabling a shift from viewing persons with disabilities as objects of charity, medical treatment and social protection towards viewing them as full and equal members of society, with human rights. The convention was the first U.N. human rights treaty of the twenty-first century.
The world's poor are significantly more likely to have or incur a disability within their lifetime compared to more financially privileged populations. The rate of disability within impoverished nations is notably higher than that found in more developed countries. Since the early 2010s there has been growing research in support of an association between disability and poverty and of a cycle by which poverty and disability are mutually reinforcing. Physical, cognitive, mental, emotional, sensory, or developmental impairments independently or in tandem with one another may increase one's likelihood of becoming impoverished, while living in poverty may increase one's potential of having or acquiring disability in some capacity.
Disability in China is common, and according to the United Nations, approximately 83 million people in China are estimated to have a disability.
Disability in Brazil is defined when individuals struggle or are unable to complete standard everyday tasks. This is measured by the health indicators of daily activities and physical movement. Defining disability differs according to legal contexts of different environments and levels of vulnerability. Brazil is one of the heaviest populated countries in the world and is the largest country in South America, with a population of 212.56 million people in 2020. Due to population rates, there is approximately 16 million people in Brazil with a disability. Of this, 9 million of these are of working age, and 1 million are in the labor force.
Disability in Yemen has been increasing over time, especially because of increased conflict in the area. Disabled people in Yemen face many challenges due to poverty, lack of accessible infrastructure, gender segregation and more. The government of Yemen has passed laws to help protect the rights of disabled people in their country, but not all laws are equally enforced.
Disability in Saudi Arabia is seen through the lens of Islamic Sharia, through cultural norms and also through legislation. As an Islamic society that follows the Qur'an and the Sunnah, disability is often seen through the lens of religion. Islam teaches that people with disabilities are to be treated with respect and equality. However, Saudi Arabia tends to view disability through the medical model, rather than the social model. In addition, there are few studies relating to people with disabilities in Saudi Arabia compared to other countries.
Singapore does not have a formal definition of disability, but has been making changes in regards to the visibility of people with disability and also with increasing accessibility of all areas of the country. Early in the country's history, human rights issues for people with disabilities took second place to the need to secure independence and building the economy. Singapore signed on to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2013 and coordinates the Enabling Masterplan with both government and non governmental organisations.
Tuvalu has been slow to deal with problems that people with a disability face in the country. Since 1978, the government of Tuvalu has been slow to create policy and laws for people with disabilities. In addition, few studies have been done to assess the scope of the issue on the islands. The first comprehensive study of people with disabilities in Tuvalu was done in February 2017.
People with disability in Luxembourg have some legal protections from discrimination and their needs can be provided through various government policies. Students with disabilities have a fairly good rate of completing school compared to peers without a disability. Luxembourg signed onto the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on March 30, 2007. Much of the country is accessible, however, there are no legal provisions for reasonable accommodations.
People with disability in Zambia face many unique challenges. The country has been passing laws and policies to help people with disabilities in Zambia, however, social stigma and other factors sometimes interfere in people being able to access services and assistance. In addition, the HIV epidemic in Zambia also has a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities.
Disability in Uruguay is often described historically and culturally by the medical model of disability. Much of current government policy surrounds the use of trained and paid caregivers for people with severe disabilities and many people who need assistive devices have not been able to access these.
People with disability in Liberia face many challenges. The cultural attitude towards disability in Liberia is largely negative. Often, it is seen as the result of witchcraft or as punishment for a person's behavior. However, the government and non-governmental organizations (NGO) are working towards a more inclusive country for people with disabilities.
There are around 447,600 people with disability in Cuba. A large number of people with disabilities in Cuba have an intellectual disability and about 3.2 percent have a severe disability. The government of Cuba has a medical model of disability in its approach to policies on people with disabilities. The government is also hostile to organizations who do not fully support Cuba's politics. Another unique challenge that people with disabilities in the country face is due to the economic embargo of Cuba which has caused shortages in medical materials and assistive technology. The Constitution of Cuba has provisions for protecting the rights of people with disabilities and the country signed onto the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007.
Around 35,000 people in Belize have a disability. There are efforts to raise awareness about people with disabilities in Belize and counter social stigma. Several non-governmental organizations, including Special Olympics, help increase awareness and the government sponsors an annual Disability Week. Services for people with disabilities is limited and most areas of the country have limited accessibility.
There are around 2,800,000 people with a disability in Chile. For the most part, citizens of Chile largely have a positive view of people with disabilities, though there is still discrimination in employment and other areas based on misconceptions about disability. The country largely uses a social model of disability in its approach to inclusive policies and laws regarding people with disability. Chile ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability in 2008 and has passed several laws which are intended to provide rights and inclusion for people with disabilities. In 2010, Chile created the National Disability Service in order to coordinate policies regarding people with disabilities. Accessibility in Santiago is generally very good and the national parks of Chile also work to provide accessibility in natural areas owned by the state.
Individuals with disabilities are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 and have higher mortality rates compared to those without disabilities. This is particularly true for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, those residing in care facilities, and women with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities face heightened risks of mental health issues related to the pandemic, such as increased feelings of loneliness and isolation. They may also be more vulnerable to domestic violence and abuse during the pandemic. People with disabilities are more likely to experience unemployment as a result of the pandemic and may require changes to the types of accommodations they require for work. Children with disabilities experience complications in their educational programming. Remote learning poses a host of challenges for children with disabilities, including disruptions to physical and occupational therapies and access to assistive technologies.
Under Italian Law 104/1992, "disability" is defined as a loss of the ability of the person to perform basic daily activities unaided."