Muscat – Oman will join countries worldwide on Wednesday to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed annually on December 3. This year’s theme focuses on building disability-inclusive societies that support social progress.

An official at the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) said the occasion provides a platform to highlight the rights of persons with disabilities, raise awareness of the challenges they face and reaffirm their role as full participants in society.

Government attention to the sector has grown under His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. In September, His Majesty the Sultan ordered the establishment of a dedicated disability sector at the level of Undersecretary within MoSD to oversee services and improve integration, particularly in education.

Earlier this year, Royal Decree No 92/2025 issued the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The legislation, comprising 77 articles across five chapters, sets out civil, educational, health, social, cultural, sports and economic rights, including employment. It also defines provisions for rehabilitation and the functions of the National Committee for Persons with Disabilities.

In April, His Majesty directed the allocation of RO7mn for the National Autism Centre. A study is underway to evaluate the need for similar centres in other governorates.

MoSD has expanded programmes focusing on vocational training and employment. Four workshops opened this year in Nizwa, Mudhaibi, Rustaq and Salalah, serving 236 individuals with mild to moderate disabilities enrolled at Al Wafa Centres. The aim is to build skills that support entry into the labour market.

The ministry also marked the graduation of the second cohort of the ‘Be With Us for Them’ initiative, run with the Human Development Centre for Disability. Sixty people completed the programme, of whom 30 have already secured jobs. In the tourism sector, Omran Group and MoSD launched the second edition of the ‘Mawhoob’ programme, training 13 people for roles in hospitality and tourism.

Efforts to build national expertise continue with a new professional diploma in autism spectrum disorder for 47 unemployed graduates in special education.

Al Wafa Centres remain central to service delivery, offering physical, occupational and speech therapy, vocational training, psychological support and special education. By mid-2025, 4,020 people were enrolled across 41 government, private and non-profit centres. A further 4,478 individuals received services in 72 private rehabilitation centres, while 662 benefitted from 11 community-based centres.

During the first half of 2025, about 4,282 individuals received assistive devices and support services. Around 2,633 disability cards were issued in the same period, bringing the national total to 68,071 cardholders.