“The Right of People with Disabilities to Accessibility” Campaign

• Date: 2016-04-14

Improving the living conditions of people with disabilities in EJ

Jerusalem, 14.4.2016

Society of St. Yves – Jaffa Gate

The Society of St. Yves – Catholic Center for Human Rights, in partnership with Diakonia and supported by the European Union, concludes its social media campaign by holding a press conference at St. Yves supporting the rights and entitlements of people with disabilities in East Jerusalem as well as their rights to accessibility and movement on a legal and advocacy level.

St. Yves believes “in the importance of the role of the community and of each citizen in the improvement of the lives of people with disabilities and in ensuring their right to access all public places and services without any obstacles. Accessibility is the first step for people with disabilities to be able to access health, education, and work equally, independently and freely” expressed Adv. Raffoul Rofa, director of St. Yves.

Mr. Ricardo Rossi, Head of Section of Economic Development, Private Sector, Trade & East Jerusalem Programme at the European Union added that “this project is particularly important in the context of the deterioration of the living conditions of Palestinians in Jerusalem, since Jerusalem is and has always been at the heart of political struggle. Today is dedicated to  children with special needs and families whose reality can become very difficult at times and whose lives thanks to the provision of these services, can improve”.

Throughout the campaign, St. Yves organized awareness raising sessions, meetings with the related organizations, schools, community centers and medical centers in order to ensure their involvement and cooperation. St. Yves has also ensured field visits in the old city of Jerusalem in particular, in order to reach the marginalized neighborhoods that do not have access to such information and support. In addition St. Yves issued and distributed informative material about accessibility to numerous organizations, schools and centers reaching wide groups of the community.

The campaign is a first step towards reaching the aim of a bigger project titled “improving the living conditions of people with disabilities in East Jerusalem” funded by the European Union, implemented by Diakonia in cooperation with St. Yves and Princess Basma Center in Jerusalem.