RESMYLE’s third international field training program in Jordan was completed on August 5th, 2022. The two-week workshop, entitled “Accessibility Assessment of Public Spaces in Jordan” was organized by the Jordan University in Science and Technology (JUST), jordanian partner of RESMYLE and the JUST-ABLE team (funded by Canadian Fund of Local Initiatives, Canada). Guided by trainers Haneen Abualhayjaa, Sara Nusiar, and Rania Rawash, 11 NEETs participated in the training program including, 8 from Jordan, 2 from Tunisia, and 1 from Lebanon.

Public accessibility has been often regarded as key to promoting better integration of People with Disabilities (PwD) and enhancing their quality of life. In Jordan, there is an evident lack of accessibility awareness and knowledge. Advocacy, accessibility assessment training, and bringing the right tools to assess accessibility is critical to address this issue.

As such, over the workshop of two weeks, participants worked together to create a database of accessible places that for PwD and their families. This task included intensive training, focus groups and discussions with PwD activists in Jordan, accessibility measurement exercises, and on-field site assessment of 4 public spaces in Jordan. Specifically, the workshops aimed to:
•    Provide an overview of disability and accessibility and articulate accessibility significance for people with disabilities (PwD)
•    Promote the awareness about the rights of PwD and the barriers they face in Jordan.
•    Understand disability etiquettes and creating an inclusive environment for people with disabilities.
•    Build the capacity of NEET participants to evaluate the accessibility within the built environment (exterior/interior)
•    Promote inclusion of wider and more diverse people within the environment
•    Increase the knowledge of evidence-based practice.

Measurement exercises was a key component of the training program. Participants learned about measurement tools, dimensions to consider when thinking about PwD, and checking compliancy for building codes. NEETs used wheelchairs to gain first-hand experience of the physical barriers facing some PwD and used measurements tapes to measure walls, railings, furniture, bathrooms, corridors, doors, and many more physical building elements.

Using a customized checklist, participants measured the accessibility of the Social Security Corporation Building in Irbid, Amman Citadel Hill in the Capital city, Amman, the Nature Conservation Royal Academy in Ajloun, and Mango Café in Irbid. Assessing various buildings types helped NEETs examined the various needs of PwD in different building functions. At the end of the workshop, the participants presented their assessment of each building and uploaded the accessibility assessment of each building to the JUST-Able phone application developed by the JUST-able team.

For more information on accessible public spaces in Jordan and to download the app, follow this link: https://justablejo.com/en/