Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
Inclusion International - ILSMH

Morocco

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997

Association des Parents et Amis d'Enfants Inadaptés, Morocco
Compare with the following Country Report(s): the Moroccan Government

General policy

The officially recognized disability policy is expressed in law and in guidelines adopted by the national disability council. According to the Government, disability policy is also expressed in policy adopted by NGOs. The emphasis in this policy is on prevention, rehabilitation, accessibility measures, anti-discrimination law and individual support.

Since the adoption of the Rules the government has conveyed the message of full participation by means of seminars and other actions.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by special legislation. According to the Government, the rights of disabled people are protected by a combination of special and general legislation. The judicial mechanism available to protect the rights of persons with disabilities is due process (legal remedy though the courts). There are no administrative and other non-judicial mechanisms. According to the Government, the only mechanism available to protect the rights of persons with disabilities is a governmental body.

General legislation applies to persons with different disabilities apply with respect to education, employment, the right to marriage, the right to parenthood/family, political rights, the right to privacy, access to court of law and to property rights.
No benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities.

No new legislation concerning disability has been enacted since the adoption of the Rules. The Government, however, states that new legislation has been enacted.

Accessibility

There are rules for ensuring the accessibility of the built environment. According to the Government there are no laws and regulations to ensure accessibility of the built environment. There are no special transport arrangements for persons with disabilities. According to the Government, there is a special transport system for persons with disabilities which includes reduced prices for urban transport. Public transport is available for whatever purpose. The most difficult obstacles, when planning to build accessible environments are lack of legislation and regulations, lack of planning and design capacity and lack of enforcement mechanism. According to the Government, the foremost obstacles, when building accessible environments, are attitudinal factors and economic/budgetary factors. There is no disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers. According to the Government there is such a component.

Sign language has no officially recognized status but is used as the first language in education of deaf people. There are no government measures to encourage media and other forms of public information to make their services accessible for persons with disabilities. The only service provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others is literature in Braille. According to the Government, even sign language interpretation for major events is provided.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is no national umbrella organization. There are no legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making or to work with governmental institutions. Disability organizations are never consulted when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. According to the Government, organizations are often consulted. Consultations occur at the national level. The government gives no support to existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. According to the Government, organizations receive financial support. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in NGOs. According to the Government, organizations participate to a great extent in NGOs. The role of organizations of persons with disabilities is to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, contribute to public awareness, provide services and to promote/organize income generating activities. According to the Government, organizations do not promote/organize income generating activities.

Co-ordination of work

The national co-ordinating committee is reporting to a central body. The government expects the committee to participate in policy development and to perform other tasks. The establishment of the co-ordinating committee has led to: improved co-ordination of measures/programmes and a better dialogue in the disability field. According to the Government, the co-ordinating committee has even improved legislation and integration of responsibility and improved promotion of public awareness.

The adoption of the Rules has not led to a rethinking of the approach to disability policy.

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Contents of the ILSMH Report | Compare with the following Country Report(s): the Moroccan Government