Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Jordan: A Qualitative Interview-Based Study

HRMARS - Political participation is a fundamental right and a key indicator of democratic inclusion. However, persons with disabilities (PWDs) remain significantly underrepresented in political life worldwide, particularly in the Middle East. This qualitative study explores the barriers to political participation among PWDs in Jordan through in-depth interviews with nine participants representing three types of disability: physical, visual, and hearing. The participants, aged 18 and above, were selected to reflect diversity in gender, educational background, and marital status. Thematic analysis revealed four core barriers: physical and infrastructural inaccessibility, communication and information barriers, legal and institutional inadequacies, and societal and attitudinal challenges. These findings align with global and regional literature, demonstrating that despite legislative frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Jordan's Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities No. 20 (2017), implementation gaps persist. This paper recommends inclusive policy enforcement, public awareness campaigns, accessible electoral systems, and disability-specific training for election officials.