Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
World Blind Union - WBU

Tunisia

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997 Union Nationale des Aveugles de Tunisie, Tunisia
No reply was received from the Government of Tunisia.

General policy

The officially recognized disability policy is expressed in law, in guidelines adopted by the government, in guidelines adopted by the national disability council, in policy adopted by political parties, and in policy adopted by NGOs. The emphasis in this policy is on prevention, rehabilitation, individual support and accessibility measures.

Since the adoption of the Rules the government has conveyed the message of full participation, through seminars and other action.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by a combination of special legislation and general legislation. The judicial mechanism available to protect the rights of persons with disabilities is due process (legal remedy though the courts). The non-judicial mechanism is a governmental body (administrative).

General legislation applies with respect to persons with different disabilities with respect to education, employment, the right to marriage and the right to parenthood/family. The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: health and medical care, training, rehabilitation and counselling, employment, financial security, independent living and participation in decisions affecting themselves.

No new legislation concerning disability has been enacted, since the adoption of the Rules.

Accessibility

There are rules to ensure accessibility of the built environment which establish national design standards requiring that public places, the outdoor environment, means of public transport and housing are made accessible. Accessibility in the built environment is observed by a national authority, by local governments and by the constructor. The following measures have been promoted by the government to ensure accessibility in the built environment: levelling off pavements, ensuring access to public places and providing specially adapted motor vehicles. There are special transport arrangements for persons with disabilities. Special transport is available for medical treatment and education. The most difficult obstacles, when planning to build accessible environments, are economic/budgetary factors. There is a disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language is recognized as the main means of communication between deaf persons and others. There are 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/tape.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is a national umbrella organization. There are legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making and to work with governmental institutions. Disability organizations are sometimes consulted, when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations occur at the national level. The government gives financial support to existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in government, legislatures, judicial authorities and political parties and 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, identify needs and priorities, participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of services and measures concerning the lives of persons with disabilities and contribute to public awareness.

Co-ordination of work

The national co-ordinating committee is reporting to the Ministry of Social Affairs. It includes representatives of many Ministries, of organizations of persons with disabilities, of other NGOs and from the private sector. The government expects the committee to participate in policy development. The establishment of the co-ordinating committee has led to: improved co-ordination of measures/programmes, improved legislation, a better dialogue in the disability field and more accurate planning.

The adoption of the Rules has led to a rethinking of the approach to disability policy.

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