Amman, June 24 (Petra) -- In a major stride toward comprehensive public services, Jordan has launched an initiative to integrate individuals with hearing impairments into its national emergency response framework.

Spearheaded by the Public Security Department (PSD) in collaboration with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCDP), this effort seeks to ensure equitable access to crucial safety information, particularly during periods of crisis.

The cornerstone of this initiative is the provision of visually supported content, accompanied by sign language interpretation, disseminated through the PSD's official WhatsApp channel. This digital outreach ensures that vital security alerts and instructions reach the deaf community, underscoring their fundamental right to information and personal safety.

The PSD established its official WhatsApp channel in 2023 with the broader aim of fostering direct and efficient communication with citizens and residents. Beyond its role in emergency notifications, the channel serves as a rapid and reliable conduit for official news and security updates, and facilitates public engagement through interactive surveys.

The Department emphasized the channel's inclusivity, targeting not only the deaf community but also the elderly who may face challenges with traditional media, digitally native youth, and various community and media organizations reliant on timely, authoritative information.

Beyond its WhatsApp presence, the PSD has enhanced its official website with accessibility features, including a text-to-speech function, further empowering diverse segments of the population to access critical information with ease.

The Department’s commitment extends to meticulous content creation, ensuring that all visual and auditory material, especially for public awareness campaigns, is meticulously translated into sign language. This process involves close collaboration with disability experts to guarantee that security messages are both accurate and readily comprehensible.

The PSD views the inclusion of persons with disabilities as integral to its overarching vision, directly aligning with His Majesty King Abdullah II's pronouncements at the third Global Disability Summit in Germany, where he underscored the imperative of integrating individuals with disabilities into all facets of social and service life.

This royal directive has prompted a substantial evolution in the PSD’s policies and services. The Department has developed specialized programs to address the unique communication, awareness, and security service requirements of persons with disabilities.

Concurrently, it is enhancing its digital infrastructure, including its website and other digital platforms, to ensure universal accessibility. Collaborative efforts with local and international organizations specializing in disability rights further bolster these initiatives.

The PSD affirms that the inclusion of persons with disabilities reflects its adherence to the comprehensive communication directives issued by the Director of Public Security, aimed at fostering a secure and inclusive society for all. This approach is paramount in upholding the principle of equitable access to information and security services, reinforcing public trust, and strengthening a holistic security strategy centered on prevention, awareness, and community participation.

Mr. Rafat Al-Zaytouni, spokesperson for the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCDP), underscored the critical importance of enabling deaf individuals to access information during crises.

He highlighted the HCDP's collaboration with the PSD and other partners in developing vital services, notably the establishment of emergency hotline 114 for the deaf, serving as an accessible alternative to the standard 911 number. This dedicated line facilitates streamlined reporting of urgent situations.

Al-Zaytouni detailed further innovations, including the provision of sign language-interpreted videos for siren alerts. These visual notifications, disseminated during alarms or hazardous events, empower deaf individuals to ascertain the precise onset and conclusion of emergencies, thereby enhancing their safety and autonomy during crises.

The HCDP’s commitment to accessibility extends beyond emergency services. Al-Zaytouni noted ongoing collaborations with the Ministry of Health to integrate sign language interpretation services into healthcare facilities nationwide.

This involves the deployment of video interpretation calls via tablets or smart applications, enabling seamless communication between healthcare providers and deaf patients or visitors. Similarly, the Council is working with the Ministry of Education to train teachers and school staff in sign language, integrating interpretive technologies into classrooms to uphold the educational rights of deaf students.

Dr. Samer Abu Durai, a sign language interpreter at Al-Balqa Applied University, lauded the adoption of visual aids, particularly sign language-supported videos, as a pivotal advancement in empowering individuals with hearing impairments to access and respond to critical information during emergencies. He characterized the PSD-HCDP initiative as a benchmark for comprehensive community protection.

Dr. Abu Durai emphasized that these professionally interpreted videos enable deaf individuals to grasp instructions instantaneously, identify hazards and emergency exits, and make independent, timely decisions. This contrasts sharply with reliance on written texts, which may not be fully comprehensible to all deaf individuals, particularly those with limited literacy.

He underscored the transformative impact of technology, such as instant messaging platforms and smart applications, in integrating deaf individuals into the protection system. These tools facilitate not only the receipt of visual alerts and sign language videos but also enable deaf individuals to transmit their geographic locations and communicate with security or medical personnel through visual messages or alternative symbols.

Dr. Abu Durai asserted that such technological integration is no longer a convenience but a necessity for achieving justice and equality in emergency response.

He advocated for the widespread adoption of these initiatives across all disability types, developed in consultation with special education experts and representatives of persons with disabilities to ensure maximum efficacy and inclusivity.

Members of the deaf community have affirmed the profound impact of these measures, citing a heightened sense of security and inclusion.

They report that visual alerts have revolutionized their ability to understand security directives and stay abreast of unfolding events, marking a qualitative leap in their right to information access.

This initiative is widely perceived as a testament to Jordan's sustained national commitment to integrating persons with disabilities into the societal protection framework, embodying a practical application of human rights principles that prioritize dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.

The inclusion of persons with disabilities in the emergency system undeniably reflects His Majesty the King's steadfast dedication to their rights and his unwavering commitment to their full participation in all aspects of life, including equitable access to information during times of crisis, as part of Jordan’s ongoing national pursuit of justice and equality.

//Petra// AA

24/06/2025 11:05:50