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DECEMBER 1, 2020

DISABILITY STUDY IN IRAQ The Situation and Rights of Persons with Disabilities and People with Special Needs in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region

Report Generated by SHEYAW Organization for Youth and Vulnerable People Development

Content

Page No.

Field study……………………………………………………………………………………………….2 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………….…3 Laws and convnsion Legal framework and Conventions………………………....4 Field Study details……………………………………………………………………………….…..7 Conclusion and Suggestion……………………………………………………………………..22 Annexes and Tables………………………………………………………………………………..24

Study Researcher: Adnan Majeed Mohammad Study reviewed by Iraq ACT Alliance Convener: Salar Ahmed

1. Introduction:



After the Second World War, foundation of the United Nations Agency, great interest in democracy and human rights and announcement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human rights took on a global form that cannot be partitioned. This has been paid a lot of attention by the international conventions which aiming to protect the right of everyone without discrimination as well as the rights of people with special needs (PWSNs). The most important international legal grounds that adopted by UN Agency to protect and guarantee the rights of people with special needs are; the Declaration on Mentally Retarded Persons in 1971, the Declaration on the Rights of People with Special Needs in 1975, the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons on 3 December 1982, the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for PWDs 1994 and The Convention on the Rights of PWD on 13 December 2006 are considered important world steps to set new mechanisms to protect the rights of PWSNs. Undoubtedly, the implementation of these international conventions and acts preserve the social peace, stability and sectoral development of all societies. The participation of the countries in the international conventions and acts will be helpful to protect the rights of PWSNs in all situations as well as they support to provide equal job opportunity for the effective participation of the PWD in all spheres of society. Iraq, as a member of UN, has always been a conflict zone because of the wars and events that the history of Iraq has gone through and the latest war was against ISIS terrorist group that there have always been questions about human rights and the number of PWSNs has always increased yearly, therefore, the rights of PWSNs have always been the subject of resentment and many questions. Therefore, this study is concerned with protecting and ensuring the rights of the PWSNs in all aspects without discrimination, based on equality with others and according to the local and international laws in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. This study aims, in general, to highlight and introduce the reality, demands and rights of PWSNs in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The nature of the research requires adopting more than one method to analyze and assess the data and information including descriptive method to

________________________________ *Adnan_shwany@hotmail.com

analyze and study the laws and international conventions. We have adopted Stratified Random Sampling to analyze and assess field study such as ours. This method is described as the best and most accurate one when selecting the samples accordingly.1 We divided 82 questionnaire forms over different areas of Iraq to implement the field study. Also, we divided 21 forms over the organizations of PWSNs to know what their demands are and how the reality of their life is. Following the introduction, our research plan is to present a brief about the international conventions and acts related to PWSNs. Then, we have a quick review and an assessment about the legal framework of the rights of PWSNs within the Iraqi legislation. We, finally, introduce the assessment and conclusion of the field study.

2. International Conventions and Acts: There are several significant international conventions and acts that have become grounds to protect the rights of PWSNs. We mention some of them hereof: 2.1 World Programme of Action and the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for PWDs: The United Nations has established a clear observation for people with special needs and the General Assembly of United Nations determined the International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981. The World Programme of Action adopted three important areas for PWSNs such as caring, rehabilitation and providing them with job opportunity.1 The General Assembly of United Nations recognized December 3, 2003 as the International Day of People with Disabilities. Also, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 is intended to protect the rights of PWDs who are incapable to get their living. The World Programme of Action concerning PWDs in 1982 is considered the most important program of UN. Besides, the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for PWDs in 1994 is the most significant international document that contains several guarantees for PWSNs. 2.2 World Programme of Action concerning PWDs: The international community has consensus to care of PWSNs and consider their rights that they must not be marginalized but providing them opportunity to have an effective participation in all spheres of social, political, economic and cultural life. The World Programme Action in 1982 defends on the rights of the PWSNs very effectively and asks the states and organizations to unify their effort for the protection of the rights of PWDs.2 This programme was developed for the period of 1983 – 1992 so that to disseminate activities all over the world as well as the states _________________________________ 1

United Nations, History of United Nations and PWDs - The World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons. Development and Human Rights for all, available at: -http://www.un.org . 2 General Assembly Resolution No. 53 of 3 December 1982, in its 37th session, in its 90th plenary meeting, entitled (Implementation of the World Program of Action concerning the Disabled).

to be able to implement the content, items and articles of the programme during this long period of time. The General Assembly of United Nations asks to implement the following items of the programme:    

Develop plan and create proper opportunity for PWDs. Develop national program and policy for PWDs. Declare the national PWSNs day. Prioritize the PWSNs in the development of human resources including care, competency, rehabilitation, equal opportunity and their effective participation in various sectors of society. In addition, the General Secretary of United Nations has been asked for all kinds of cooperation so as the World Programme Action concerning PWDs to achieve its goal and to have better control on the implementation of the programme.3

The Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities:

The United Nations Social and Economic Council asked the Social Development Commission to introduce a group of experts and specialists provided that the members to be introduced by member states to set a standard rule on the equalization of opportunities for PWDs. This was issued as per the resolution No. 26 on May 24, 1990 in cooperation with the relative agencies, governmental commissions and international organizations. Hence, in relation to the establishment of this group, the Commission for Social Development issued the Resolution No. 2 on February 22, 1991 to implement the resolution of Social and Economic Commission No. 26 for1990. The General Assembly adopted the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities based on the Resolution No. 96 in the 58th Plenary Session on December 20 1993 in the 48th term, the Standard Rules based on the United Nations Experience between 1983-1992, based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on 16 December 1966 and The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights on 16 December 1966 in addition to the maximum benefit from the World Programme Action. The standard rules are not obligatory but they have taken a compulsory form in moral terms that the states must adhere to it and the important rules are related to the equalization and provision of job opportunity, caring of them, support them psychologically, and rehabilitate them for life and effective participation in all different sectors of social life.

2.2

United Nations Convention on Persons with Disabilities:

The General Assembly of United Nations formed a competent commission according to the Resolution No. 56/168 on 19 December 2001 to set the proposals of a multilateral covenant which intended to protect the rights and dignity of PWSNs. The commission met in July 2002 and in June 2003 and the content of the project for the covenant was completely ready in January 2004. The role of NGOs was great for the preparation of this project. __________________________________ 3

United Nations , Implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons [A/49/435] - part 1,Report of the Secretary-General ,Forty-ninth session ,Agenda item 95,Social development, including questions relating to the world social ,situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family . See Introduction,pp1-2

The General Assembly asked the relevant commission to start their talks on the project according to the Resolution No. 58/246. The competent commission was meeting twice a year and the project was ratified by the commission on 25 August 2006. The covenant was prepared for signature and it entered into force by July 2008 after it was signed by 19 countries. This covenant was a response of the international community against all kinds of injustice and violations against the rights of PWSNs. This covenant was different and important for PWDs that it requires the member countries to take care of the life of PWSNs and guarantee their rights. It was found that the rights of PWDs were not guaranteed appropriately and discriminated which was a reason to make this covenant happen. This convention was the extension of the other conventions related to human rights and it didn't involve any new rights or privileges for PWSNs but it was a key factor attempting to promote and protect the rights of PWSNs within the international laws and acts.4 The covenant, in general, promotes the rights of PWSNs to have access to justice, equality, job opportunity, education, health and cultural services, effective participation in the economic, social and political life and to ensure that their living and welfare are provided.

3. Legal Framework for the PWSNs within the Iraqi Legislation: All communities have made effort to guarantee equal and effective legal protection against discrimination on all grounds to PWDs and define these rights within a legal system because a lot of attention is given to the PWSNs in the international protocols and conventions in addition to the establishment of tens of organizations for PWSNs. In Iraq also, a lot of attention has been given to the rights of PWDs within the legal framework. For example, the Article 32 in the permanent Iraqi constitution in 2005 stipulates that, "The state takes care of PWSNs, support them to implement their rights as well as rehabilitate them, and this must be organized according to law".5 The Law No. 38 in 2013 on the protection of PWSNs rights was passed by Iraqi Parliament and it was published in the official newspaper No. 4295 for the implementation the above constitutional article and protect the rights of PWSNs legally and to have access to a decent life. A person with disability according to Iraqi Law is an individual who has mobility or physical impairment and unable doing his/her day to day activities completely. Several rights are guaranteed for the PWSNs in this law such as having access to a decent life, cultural and medical services, job, education and effective participation opportunities and all relative bodies of Iraq shall commit to the law and the Iraqi constitution for this same purpose. The rights of PWSNs are also mentioned in the Article 52 of the Kurdistan Region Constitution Project as well as the Law No. 22 on the rights of PWSNs was passed by Kurdistan Parliament in 2011 which consists of 21 articles. The law recognizes the rights of PWSNs intensively and multifaceted as well as commits the relative bodies to implement the law and protect these rights.6 __________________________________ 3

4 5 6

Andrew Byrnes , Graham Edwards , United Nations , Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights , Disabilities From Exclusion to Equality, Realizing the Rights of PWDs , op.cit , pp.5&9. See the Permanent Iraqi Constitution for 2005, Article 32. See the referred Law at https://www.parliament.krd See the Law at https://www.parliament.krd

4. Conclusions of the Field Study: We have conducted the field study, as we have already mentioned, to have access to the necessary data and realistic assessment on the PWDs in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and we adopted questionnaire with organizations DPOs as well as with the persons of disabilities themselves. We selected 21 organizations in different areas and 82 persons with disabilities. Therefore; we do assessment and analysis first for the organizations' forms and analyze the forms of PWDs later.*

- Analyze of Forms for the Organizations DPOs: The form for the organizations is 21 forms that divided on various Iraqi areas. It consists of two sections; the first involves the private questions and the second includes general questions and the form consists of 19 questions in general, see Annex 1. Below is our analysis and assessment for the questions and forms:

1. Distribution of the forms on different areas:

The study targeted seven organizations of PWDs in Erbil which they constitute 33.3% of the total forms and it has the highest percentage of organizations compared to other provinces of Iraq. Baghdad follows Erbil which constitutes 23.8% of the organizations for PWSNs and the other provinces follow them. See the Annex 2, Table No.1 and the following graphic:

2. With regard to the history of organizations establishment, we note that majority of the organizations, in the middle and south of Iraq, are founded after 2003 and the fall of former dictator regime. This is an indication that the former Iraqi dictator regime did not permit the establishment of the organizations and civil and organizational activity. See Annex 2, Table No. 2 within the annex and the following graphic:

_______________________________ *We relied on Statistics SPSS Program to analyze the forms.

3. With regard to the question: talk about the most important activity in view point of your organization: Majority of the organizations believe that their most important activity was meeting the needs of PWDs which it has repeated 13 times and it constitutes 61.9%. Then the other activities such as culture awareness, writing and passing law on PWDs are mentioned. We note that these organizations did not investigate and they did not know that there is a law on PWDs in the Iraq and the KRI. Therefore; the organizations must be more careful about the laws, resolutions and regulations on PWDs. See Annex 2, Table No. 3 and the following graphic:

4. Regarding the question: do you have any current funded

project?

Only three organizations answered, yes, we have and 18 others answered we do not have any project which they constitute 85.7%. This is another big issue which shows the weakness of many of the DPOs. See Annex Table No. 4 and the following graphic:

5. Regarding the question: do you have trained staff? Six 6 of the organizations say that they do not have trained staff which they constitute 28.6% of the total forms. This is also an adverse point for the performance of the DPOs. See Annex 2, Table No. 5 and the following graphic:

6. Regarding the question: do you have programs and guidebook to train persons with disability? Only 52.4% of DPOs say that they have program and guidebook for the training of the PWDs on their rights and 46.6% of the organizations do not have 8

programs and guidebook which again shows weakness of many of the DPOs. See Annex No. 2, Table No. 6:

7. Regarding the question: do you have enough space at your organization for training and entertaining? Only 87.1% of the organizations have place for training of persons with disabilities and 42.9% others do not have which undoubtedly negatively affects the performance of the organizations. See Annex 2, Table No. 7 and the following graphic:

8. Regarding the question: do you have board of directors? and the responses were as follows: All the organizations answered yes. See Annex 2, Table No. 8 and the following graphic:

9. Regarding the question: how many members do you have on your board of directors? The question is answered as follows: The board of directors of many of the organizations consists of 7 members and the minimum is one member. See Annex 2 and Table No. 9:

10.With regard to the female percentage on the board of directors, the responses were as follows: 19.0% of the organizations answered no women members on the board of directors. This is an adverse note because a majority of the persons with disability are female who cannot be supported appropriately by male.

11.Regarding the question: are all your members on the board of directors persons with disability? The response is: 57.1% of the organizations answered yes. See Annex Table No. 12.

12.With regard to the number of volunteers in organizations, the responses are as follows:

The figures are big; the maximum is 18,000 volunteers and the minimum is 7 volunteers. There are 43,510 individuals who work as volunteers in total of the organizations involved in the questionnaire.

13. With regard to the most critical issue of persons with disability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the responses were: 20 organizations that constitute 95.2% of the received forms say that all issues are there. i.e. All the issues mentioned in question No. 17 of the form such as lack of law and fulfillment of the needs of PWDs, social discrimination and lack of job opportunity. We must note that there is law on PWDs in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region but this is an indication that these organizations did not investigate minutely. See Annex Table No. 13.

14. Regarding the one of the most important needs of PWD, the responses are: 18 organizations answered that all items on the form are necessary which they constitute 85.7%. i.e the economic, social, psychological and educational needs. See Annex Table No. 14.

15.In relation to the final point regarding the suggestion of organizations to ensure the rights of PWDs, there are several suggestions as follows: A majority of suggestions were about the fulfillment of persons with disability needs in all spheres that are repeated 8 times which constitute 38.1% of the total forms. Later, 7 other organizations think that there must be law on PWDs which they constitute 33.3% of the forms. This is an indication of a lack of awareness and lack of follow-up by these organizations because, as discussed before, there is law on PWDs in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. See Annex Table No. 15.

- Analyzing the Form for Organizations of People with Disabilities and Special Needs: There are 82 forms concerning PWDs and PWSNs and they are divided on different areas of Iraq. The form contains a set of questions concentrating on three sections; there are private questions in the first section, the second section contains general questions and the rights are discussed in the third section. The form consists of 19 questions. See Annex Table No. 1. 1. The provinces are divided as follows: most of the forms are divided in Baghdad and Erbil and Anbar province comes after them. The reason is that the majority of DPOs are located in these two major provinces. Baghdad is the capital of Iraq and Erbil is the capital of Kurdistan Region as we have mentioned it in the first point of the organization's form. See Annex 2 Table No. 1 and see Annex 3 Table No. 1.

2. The age of the participants was as follows: 18 – 28 was 22.0%, 2938 was 32.9% and 38 and over 45.0%. See Annex No. 3 Table No. 2.

3. Gender of participants was as follows: 49 males which constitute 59.8% and 29 females which constitute 45.4% and 4 unanswered forms. See Table 3 in Annex 3.

4. Regarding the marital status of the persons was as follows: 32 singles who constitute 39.0%, 45 married who constitute 54.9% of the total forms and two divorced cases. See Table 4 in Annex 3.

5. The level of education of participants: it's not promising when 31.7% of the participant's level of educations is between illiterate and just reading and writing. i.e. they haven't got any degrees. Only 18 participants have bachelor degree in total of the received forms which they constitute 22.0% of the whole sample. See Table 5 in Annex 3.

6. Degrees of participants: only 6.1% of participants have studied at schools for PWDs in total of received forms which is very low percentage. This percentage should it have been higher because PWDs need special approach of teaching and learning. See Table 6 in Annex 3.

7. Regarding the employment of PWDs: a majority of the participants are jobless who they are 38 and they constitute 46.3% of the sample. This is a terrific statistic, the government and relative bodies must create job opportunity for PWSNs. See Table 7 in Annex 3.

8. With regard to the type of disability: a majority of the participants have mobility and physical impairments (upper and lower limb(s)) disability.

9. The general questions start from here: with regard to the

question to what extent your rights are protected as a person with special need? The responses as follows: we find an adverse indication which only 8 participants stated that their rights are strongly protected whilst 46 others stated that they do not feel their rights are guaranteed. See Table 9 Annex 3.

10. With regard to the question what is the thing that interested you in your day to day activities? The responses are very close to each other because the question has three important variables. 39.0% of the participants think that respect is important, 31.7% think that solidarity is important while 29.3% of the participants think that cooperation is important. See Table 10 Annex 3.

11. Regarding the most necessary thing for PWDs, the answers were as follows: the most necessary thing for PWSNs is to have access to a decent life and welfare. This is said by 41 participants who constitute 50% of the total forms have been received. This is an indication that PWDs are experiencing a huge crisis and they have a bad living in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Following this category, 24.4% of the participants refer to medical services. See Table 11 Annex 3.

12. Cooperation of other people with PWDs: 54 of the participants who constitute 65.9% of the total received forms state that they are cooperated by others to certain extent while 15 of the participants state that there is good cooperation by others to persons with disability. Therefore; people in general must be taught and informed through various media outlets to cooperate with PWDs. See Table 12 annex 3.

13. Regarding the question to what extent you are accepted by

your family? The answers were as follows: A majority of families accept the persons with disability just one of the participants has stated that I do not feel I'm accepted by my family. This is a good indication psychologically and taking care of them. See Table 13 Annex 3.

14. Regarding the question to what extent you are accepted by

your relatives? The answers were as follows:

35 participants who constitute 42.7% of the total received forms say that they are accepted, 32 of them who constitute 39.0% of the sample say that they are rather accepted and 15.9% of the participants say that we do not feel we are accepted. Hence, there must be more awareness campaigns on the rights of PWDs. See Table 14 Annex 3.

15. With respect to the question which of the rights is more

interested to you as persons with disabilities?

Economic rights are the most prominent ones for persons with disability that the very necessary thing for them is their welfare and living as we already discussed in question 11. 44 of the participants had this opinion who constitute 53.7% of the total received forms. Following the economic rights, 17.1% of the participants indicated to the cultural rights and then there are other rights. See Table 15 Annex 3.

16.Regarding the question to what extent you feel that your rights are violated? The answers to the question were as follows: Unfortunately, the responses show that there are sever violations against PWDs. For instance, 53 of the participants who constitute 64.6% of the total received forms say that our rights are violated to a large extent and only 5 participants say that they do not feel their rights are violated which is a very little percentage as well as it’s a dangerous indicator. See Table 16 in Annex 3.

17. Indicating to the violations: failure to implement the law on persons with disability from the PWDs point of view the problem is not the law. i.e. it's true there is law but it is not wisely implemented to have positive impact on the life and the rights of PWDs. 31 of the participants who constitute 37.8% of the total received forms had the above opinion, 13 participants did not know what are the violations and then the lack of job opportunity and the lack of salary were other issues. See Table 17 in Annex 3.

18.With respect to the question what makes you angry? The responses were as follows: A majority of the PWDs get angry when they are not called by their own names and they are not accepted as they are. These two factors constitute 67.1% of the responses. See Table 18 in Annex 3.

19.How do you feel as you are different from the others? The answer to this question was as follows: A majority of them believe that when they are treated differently. For instance, 30 participants had this attitude. See Table 19 in Annex 3.

20. With respect to the question how do you feel when you are

treated differently? The responses were as follows:

The majority believe that they are insulted. For example, 23 of the participants who constitute 28.0% of the total answered forms had this opinion. See Table 20 in Annex 3.

21. Do

you feel your situation is getting better now? In respond to this question, the majority of the participants who are 42 and they constitute 51.2% the answered forms feel rather better while some others who constitute 28.0% of the answered forms say that we still need more. See Table 21 of Annex 3.

Conclusions and Suggestions We arrived to several conclusions through this research, such as: 1. The rights of the PWDs were not organized appropriately until the convention of 2006. 2. Sever violations are committed against persons with disability including inequality, lack of job opportunity, medical and educational services…etc. 3. A majority of the organizations of persons with disability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region do not have competent and trained staff, proper training places and appropriate programs for PWDs. 4. Due to the social, economic and political situation, the life and living of PWSNs are in a bad condition in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. 5. There are laws on persons with disability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region but they are not implemented. 6. The PWDs do not feel their rights are protected and respected in Iraq and Kurdistan Region. 7. There is lack of a strong coordination between the organizations of PWDs and relative bodies within the government to protect the rights of persons with disability.

Suggestions: 1. 2. 3. 4.

The rights of PWDs must be protected in all spheres of life. Iraq must try to implement articles of covenant on persons with disability. Make effort to rehabilitate persons with disability psychologically. Studying the rights of PWDs in school curricula and teaching children to treat PWSNs respectably. 5. Providing PWDs with a decent life and good living. 21

6. Facilitate for persons with disability to create family and providing them job opportunity. 7. Dissemination of social awareness on proper treatment to PWDs. 8. Making effort the PWDs to be able to ensure their political, social and economic rights. 9. Providing suitable education and proper programs for PWDs. 10. Providing them deserving medical services. 11. Support the organizations of PWDs to effectively implement their activities to guarantee the rights of PWDs. 12. Implement the laws on PWDs as they are.

Sources (References) -

Ameer Hanna, Principles of Statistics, Baghdad, 1989.

General Assembly Resolution No. 53 on 3 December 1982, 37th Session, 90th Plenary Session entitled (Implementation of World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons).

See the Permanent Iraqi Constitution for 2005, Article 32.

See the named law at https://www.parliament.krd

United Nations, History of United Nations and PWD - The World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons. Development and Human Rights for all, available at: -http://www.un.org

United Nations, Implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons [A/49/435] - part 1,Report of the SecretaryGeneral, Forty-ninth session, Agenda item 95, Social development, including questions relating to the world social, situation and to youth, ageing, disabled persons and the family. see Introduction . Andrew Byrnes, Graham Edwards, United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Disabilities from Exclusion to Equality, Realizing the Rights of PWDs.

Annex 1 Questionnaire Form First: Organizations Questionnaire Form

A Questionnaire on the Current Situation of the Rights of People with Special Needs and Persons with Disability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region This questionnaire is within a research about the current situation of the rights of people with special needs which is implemented by Sheyaw Organization for Youth and Vulnerable People Development. Please answer the following questions. What's worthy to mention it's not important to mention your name. The answers to the questions will be kept confidential and the data will exclusively be used for this study. We hope to have your cooperation. Please answer all questions. Thanks for your cooperation Research Team 23

Please put [x] opposite to the right answer

First: Private questions 1. 2. 3. 4.

Name of Organization: ……………………………… Organization's Area of Working: …………………………. Year of Establishment: …………………………………. Registered only in Iraq  Registered only in the Kurdistan Region  Registered in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region  5. Indicate to your most prominent activities on PWDs: ……………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………. . 6. Do you have current funded projects for PWDs? Yes  No  7. Do you have trained staff on PWDs? Yes  No  8. Do you have training approach and book guide for PWDs? Yes  No  9. Do you have enough space in your organization to hold social events and activities for PWDs? Yes  No  10. Does your organization have board of directors? Yes  No  11. If the answer is yes, how many members do you have on the board of directors of your organization? …………. members. 12. How much is the percentage of women on your organization's board of directors? ……...... 13. Are all members of the board of directors PWDs and persons with disability? Yes  No  14. How many members and volunteers does your organization have in total?.......... member(s). 15. Main Address of organization: Province ……………….. 16. Contact information: Mobile: ………………..……. Email: ……………………

Second: General Questions 17. To your opinion, what are the most prominent issues of PWDs in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region? (You can choose more than one answer).  Defects in laws and instructions for the interest of PWDs in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.  Lack of providing needs of persons with disability by government.  Societal discrimination against persons with disability and PWDs.  Lack of job opportunity and discrimination in employment against PWDs. 18. To your opinion, what is the most prominent need of persons with disability and PWSNs in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region? (You can choose more than one answer).  Economic needs (social security, financial support by the government, create job opportunity and prioritizing in employment…etc).  Social needs (mitigate or elimination of discrimination, support marriage opportunity…etc).

 Education needs (identifying schools for PWDs, providing necessary modern technology for studying and appropriate studying curricula…etc).  Psychological and entertainment needs (providing entertaining and social centers for PWDs and persons with disability). 19. Please introduce any suggestion or solution you have that help to guarantee the rights of PWDs and persons with disability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region: ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………… …………………… .

Second: A Questionnaire Form for Persons with Disabilities:

Sheyaw Organization for Youth and Vulnerable People Development A Questionnaire on the Current Situation of the Rights of People with Special Needs and Persons with Disability in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region This questionnaire is within a research about the current situation of the rights of people with special needs which is implemented by Sheyaw Organization for Youth and Vulnerable People Development. Please answer the following questions. What's worthy to mention it's not important to mention your name. The answers to the questions will be kept confidential and the data will exclusively be used for this study. We hope to have your cooperation. Please answer all questions. Thanks for your cooperation Research Team 25

Please put [x] opposite to the right answer

First: Private questions: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Age: 18 – 28 years  29 – 38 years  38 and over  Sex: male  female  Marital status: single  married  wife or husband died  divorced  Level of Education: illiterate  reading and writing  primary  secondary  diploma  bachelor  higher education  5. Type of certificate: private certificate  public certificate  6. Career: employee  independent business others  7. Type of disability: cognitive (learning – dyslexia) mobility and physical impairment ( upper and lower limbs) vision hearing speaking autism dwarf hemophilia thalassemia

Second: General Questions 1. To what extent you think your rights are guaranteed as a person with disability or a person with special need? Guaranteed  Rather guaranteed  Not guaranteed at all  2. What is interested you most you feel in your day to day life? Respect  Coordination  Interaction  3. What is the thing interested to you the most as a person with disability or a PWSN? Education  Medical services  Welfare and living  Providing care giver  4. To what extent others in the community are cooperative with you as a person with disability or a PWSN? Good cooperation  Rather cooperative  No cooperation at all  5. To what extent you feel you are accepted by your family? to a great extent  to a certain extent  I don't feel  6. To what extent you feel you are accepted by your relatives? to a great extent  to a certain extent  I don't feel 

Rights: 1. What are the rights you are interested most as a person with disability or a PWSN? Political  Administrative  Economic  Cultural  2. To what extent you feel your rights are violated? to a great extent  to a certain extent 

I don't feel 

3. If you think that your rights are violated, can you indicate to one of the most common violations? ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………… 4. What makes you get angry from others who are different from you in your day to day activities?  When they call me with my disability not my name.  When they remind me my disability.  When I feel they do not accept me because I'm different from them.  When I am treated with passion.  When they use my disability or impairment for their interest. 5. How do you feel you are different from others as a PWD or a PWSN?  When I'm treated differently between a group.  When I'm not given the space to express my attitude during conversation.  For having my disability or impairment.  When they don't understand how do I feel towards them.  When I'm marginalized or neglected by others. 6. How do you feel when you are treated differently?  I feel I'm underestimated.  I feel I need to leave this place.  I feel I'm scared.  I feel that living is difficult with the others.  I feel angry.  I feel I'm discriminated. 7. To what extent you feel your current situation getting better among the people they are different from you?  I do not feel  I feel it sometimes  It still needs a lot to get better.

Annex 2 Tables of Analyzing the Organizations Forms Table No. 1 City Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Anbar 1

4.8

Basra 1

4.8

9.5

Mosul 1

4.8

14.3

Erbil 7

33.3

47.6

Baghdad 5

23.8

71.4

Kirkuk 1

4.8

76.2

Halabja 1

4.8

81.0

Sulaimaniyah 1

4.8

85.7

Misan 1

4.8

90.5

Diyala 1

4.8

95.2

Karbala 1

4.8

100.0

Total 21

Table No. 2 History of Organizations' Establishment

Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

1987 1

4.8

1992 2

9.5

14.3

1994 1

4.8

19.0

1995 2

9.5

28.6

1999 1

4.8

33.3

2003 1

4.8

38.1

2004 1

4.8

42.9

2008 1

4.8

47.6

2009 1

4.8

52.4

2013 2

9.5

61.9

2015 1

4.8

66.7

2016 1

4.8

71.4

2017 3

14.3

85.7

2018 2

9.5

95.2

2019 1

4.8

100.0

Total 21

100.0

Table No. 3 the Most Important Activity Cumulative Frequency Valid

Meet the needs 13

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

61.9

Set up workshop 1

4.8

66.7

provide job opportunities 1

4.8

71.4

19.0

90.5

9.5

100.0

Cultural awareness 4 Draft and Write law for them 2 Total 21

Table No. 4 Funded Projects

Cumulative Frequency Valid

Yes 3 No 18 Total 21

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

14.3

85.7

100.0

Table No. 5 Trained Staff

Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Yes 15

71.4

No 6

28.6

100.0

Total 21

100.0

Table No. 6 Programs for PWDs

Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Yes 11

52.4

No 10

47.6

100.0

Total 21

Table No. 7 Availability of Place for Training Cumulative

Valid

Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Yes

57.1

42.9

100.0

Total

100.0

Table No. 8 Availability of Board of Directors Cumulative Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Valid

Yes 21

100.0

Table No. 9 Number of Board of Director's Members Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

1 1

4.8

3 2

9.5

14.3

5 3

14.3

28.6

6 2

9.5

38.1

7 9

42.9

81.0

9 3

14.3

95.2

11 1

4.8

100.0

Total 21

Table No. 10 Percentage of Women on Board of Directors Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

0 4

19.0

1 3

14.3

33.3

2 6

28.6

61.9

3 5

23.8

85.7

4 2

9.5

95.2

7 1

4.8

100.0

Total 21

Table No. 11 Number of PWDs on the Board of Directors Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Yes 61

57.1

No 61

33.3

90.5

100.0

Total 21

Table No. 12 Number of Volunteers

Cumulative Frequency Valid

Valid Percent

Percent

7 3

14.3

15.0

9 1

4.8

5.0

20.0

14 1

4.8

5.0

25.0

15 1

4.8

5.0

30.0

35 1

4.8

5.0

35.0

50 1

4.8

5.0

40.0

75 1

4.8

5.0

45.0

430 1

4.8

5.0

50.0

525 1

4.8

5.0

55.0

600 1

4.8

5.0

60.0

750 1

4.8

5.0

65.0

800 1

4.8

5.0

70.0

1000 1

4.8

5.0

75.0

2400 1

4.8

5.0

80.0

4000 1

4.8

5.0

85.0

7000 1

4.8

5.0

90.0

7800 1

4.8

5.0

95.0

18000 1

4.8

5.0

100.0

95.2

100.0

Total 20 Missing

Percent

System 1

4.8

Total 21

100.0

Table No. 13 Most Important Issues of PWDs Cumulative Frequency Valid

Lack of meeting their 1

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

4.8

95.2

100.0

needs all of them 20 Total 21

Table No. 14 the Most Necessary Needs of PWDs Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Economic needs 2

9.5

Educational needs 1

4.8

14.3

85.7

100.0

All of them 18

Total 21

100.0

Table No. 15 Suggestions

Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Meet the needs 8

38.1

making laws 7

33.3

71.4

job opportunity 4

19.0

90.5

4.8

95.2

4.8

100.0

Support and regulation of 1 concerned organizations No suggestion 1 Total 21

Annex No. 3 Tables of Analyzing the PWDs or PWSNs Forms Table No. 1 Provinces Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Diyala 5

6.1

Anbar 10

12.2

18.3

Baghdad 20

24.4

42.7

Basra 4

4.9

47.6

Misan 1

1.2

48.8

Halabja 6

7.3

56.1

24.4

80.5

6.1

86.6

Erbil 20 Sulaimaniyah 5

Karbala 5

6.1

92.7

Kirkuk 2

2.4

95.1

Mosul 4

4.9

100.0

Total 82

Table No. 2 Age Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

18-28 18

22.0

29-38 27

32.9

54.9

More than 38 37

45.1

100.0

Total 82

Table No. 3 Gender

Cumulative Frequency Valid

Missing

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Male 49

59.8

62.8

female 29

35.4

37.2

100.0

Total 78

95.1

100.0

System 4

4.9

Total 82

100.0

Table No. 4 Marital Status Cumulative Frequency Valid

Valid Percent

Percent

Single 32

39.0

40.0

Married 45

54.9

56.3

96.3

Widow 1

1.2

1.3

97.5

Divorced 2

2.4

2.5

100.0

97.6

100.0

Total 80 Missing

Percent

System 2 Total 82

2.4 100.0

Table No. 5 Level of Education

Cumulative Frequency Valid

İlliterate 9

Valid Percent

Percent

11.0

11.3

read and write 17

20.7

21.3

32.5

Primary 11

13.4

13.8

46.3

Secondary 9

11.0

11.3

57.5

Preparatory 8

9.8

10.0

67.5

Diploma 7

8.5

8.8

76.3

Bachelor 18

22.0

22.5

98.8

1.2

1.3

100.0

97.6

100.0

higher education 1 Total 80 Missing

Percent

System 2

2.4

Total 82

100.0

Table No. 6 Type of Education Cumulative Frequency Valid

Missing

Private education 5

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

6.1

6.3

public education 62

75.6

78.5

84.8

None of them 12

14.6

15.2

100.0

Total 79

96.3

100.0

System 3

3.7

Total 82

100.0

Table No. 7 Job Cumulative Frequency Valid

Missing

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Employee 22

26.8

27.5

free business 20

24.4

25.0

52.5

Other 38

46.3

47.5

100.0

Total 80

97.6

100.0

System 2 Total 82

2.4 100.0

Table No. 8 Type of Disability Cumulative Frequency Valid

Mental retardation 8

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

9.8

Impaired mobility 46

56.1

65.9

Blindness 16

19.5

85.4

Deaf 6

7.3

92.7

Dumb 1

1.2

93.9

Hemophilia 4

4.9

98.8

9 1

1.2

100.0

Total 82

Table No. 9 Guaranteeing the Rights Cumulative Frequency Valid

To a large extent 8

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

9.8

To some extent 28

34.1

43.9

I do not feel any guarantee 46

56.1

100.0

Total 82

Table No. 10 the Most Important Thing to You Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Respect 32

39.0

Cooperat 24

29.3

68.3

integration 26

31.7

100.0

Total 82

Table No. 11 the Most necessary Thing for PWDs Cumulative Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Valid

Education 17

20.7

Health Services 20

24.4

45.1

the living 41

50.0

95.1

4.9

100.0

Facilities insurance 4 Total 82

Table No. 12 Cooperation of Others with PWDs Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Good cooperation 15

18.3

To an average extent 54

65.9

84.1

There is no cooperation 13

15.9

100.0

Total 82

Table No. 13 Acceptance of PWDs within their family Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

To a great extent 59

72.0

To an average extent 22

26.8

98.8

1.2

100.0

do not feel 1 Total 82

Table No. 14 Acceptance of PWDs or PWSNs by their relatives Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

To a great extent 35

42.7

To an average extent 32

39.0

81.7

do not feel 13

15.9

97.6

4 1

1.2

98.8

6 1

1.2

100.0

Total 82

Table No. 15 the Most Important Rights to PWDs Cumulative Frequency

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Valid

Political rights 12

14.6

Administrative rights 11

13.4

28.0

Economic 44

53.7

81.7

Cultural 14

17.1

98.8

1.2

100.0

5 1 Total 82

Table No. 17 Violations Cumulative Frequency Valid

no Job opportunity 10

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

12.2

12.3

Pity deal 1

1.2

13.6

Insult 2

2.4

2.5

16.0

There is no special road for 2

2.4

2.5

18.5

There is no female employee 1

1.2

19.8

There is no interest in blind 2

2.4

2.5

22.2

15.9

16.0

38.3

3.7

42.0

2.4

2.5

44.4

37.8

38.3

82.7

1.2

84.0

12.2

12.3

96.3

1.2

97.5

2.4

2.5

100.0

98.8

100.0

the blind

education don't know 13 There is no private 3 accompanying insurance Neglect by others 2 Lack of enforcement of laws 31 There is no rights 1 No salary 10 Violation of political and 1 economic rights Lack of social security 2 insurance Total 81 Missing

System 1 Total 82

1.2 100.0

Table No. 18 Getting Angry Cumulative Frequency Valid

call me not by my name 34 mention me badly 7

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

41.5

42.0

8.5

8.6

50.6

When I feel unacceptable to 21

25.6

25.9

76.5

13.4

13.6

90.1

9.8

9.9

100.0

98.8

100.0

them that I am different from them When they treat me with pity 11 Exploited by others 8 Total 81 Missing

System 1 Total 82

1.2 100.0

Table No. 19 Discrimination Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

Treated differently 30

36.6

37.0

not given the space to 10

12.2

12.3

49.4

12.2

12.3

61.7

18.3

18.5

80.2

18.3

18.5

98.8

1.2

100.0

98.8

100.0

express In the presence of a 10 disability In not understanding them 15 for how I feel about them In the event that I am 15 ignored by others 7 1 Total 81 Missing

System 1 Total 82

1.2 100.0

Table No. 20 Different Treatment Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

I feel ınsult 23

28.0

28.4

I feel that I must leave my 12

14.6

14.8

43.2

3.7

46.9

14.6

14.8

61.7

9.8

9.9

71.6

98.8

100.0

place I feel it is hard to live with a 3 different person I feel angry 12 Feel the distinction 8 Total 81 Missing

System 1 Total 82

1.2 100.0

Table No. 21 Feeling of Getting Better Situation Cumulative Frequency Valid

Percent

Valid Percent

Percent

I don't feel it 14

17.1

17.7

I feel it sometimes 42

51.2

53.2

70.9

There is still a lot of time for 23

28.0

29.1

100.0

96.3

100.0

the situation to improve. Total 79 Missing

System 3 Total 82

3.7 100.0