Unit Mission:

The mission of the unit is to organize academic efforts and civil society efforts in researching and studying the needs of individuals with disabilities and special needs, to assist them in all areas, including infrastructure and modern scientific educational methods, with the goal of integrating them into both academic and social communities.

Unit Objectives:

1. To identify and address the needs of students, affiliates, and teaching staff with disabilities and special needs.
2. To strive for the development of skills and capabilities of students with disabilities and special needs.
3. To provide appropriate technical support to equip students with disabilities and special needs to use modern technologies.
4. To nurture outstanding and creative individuals with disabilities and special needs in all fields.
5. To encourage initiatives and efforts that help improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and special needs, both materially and morally, and to collaborate with civil society.
6. To provide a successful administrative team capable of managing sustainable development projects efficiently within the community, strengthening and improving relationships with individuals with disabilities and special needs by fostering interaction and emphasizing their active role in sustainable development.

Unit Tasks:

1. Enhance personal development through the improvement of skills in various fields.
2. Awareness and education: Focus on raising awareness within the community about the issues of disability and the challenges faced by individuals with special needs through educational campaigns, seminars, and workshops. Public awareness about the rights of individuals with disabilities is essential to promote their acceptance and integration into society.
3. Social and psychological support: Many individuals with disabilities and special needs experience social and psychological difficulties due to the challenges they face. Therefore, this unit aims to provide social and psychological support, organizing social activities that promote communication and societal integration.
4. This unit works to promote the community integration of people with disabilities by encouraging society to accept them, respect their rights, and help them actively participate in social and economic life, in addition to changing public awareness and eliminating disability-related discrimination.
5. To identify the number of students, staff, and faculty members with special needs across all university departments, determine the nature of their disabilities, assess their severity, and provide appropriate assistance in accordance with relevant legislation and regulations.

The Law of Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs No. 38 of 2013:

The Iraqi Disability and Special Needs Law No. 38 of 2013 was enacted to care for individuals with disabilities and special needs, to rehabilitate them for social integration, to spread awareness of disabilities and prevention, and to contribute to providing dignified living conditions for those covered by this law. The law also aims to coordinate tasks between related ministries to achieve these goals. According to Article 2, the objectives of this law are:

1. Care for individuals with disabilities and special needs and eliminate discrimination based on disability or special need.
2. Provide the necessary means for the integration of individuals with disabilities and special needs into society.
3. Ensure a dignified life for individuals with disabilities and special needs.
4. Respect and accept disability as a part of human diversity and the human condition.
5. Create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and special needs in government agencies, the public sector, mixed-sector institutions, and the private sector.

The goals of this law are achieved, according to Article 3, through the following means:

1. Developing specific plans and programs to guarantee the rights of individuals with disabilities and special needs, in accordance with the law and international agreements and conventions that Iraq is a party to.
2. Joining international agreements and conventions related to the care of individuals with disabilities and special needs.
3. Developing programs and plans to prevent the causes of disability and make awareness programs available to the public.
4. Securing therapeutic and social services, as well as psychological and professional rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities and special needs, in cooperation with relevant bodies both inside and outside Iraq.
5. Providing opportunities for general, special, vocational, and higher education for individuals with disabilities and special needs who are able to benefit from them.
6. Developing the workforce in the field of caring for individuals with disabilities and special needs and establishing and updating databases for them.
7. Engaging experts and specialists and keeping up with scientific advancements in all areas related to disability and special needs, as well as contacting relevant organizations inside and outside Iraq to enhance performance in this field.
8. Organizing conferences, seminars, scientific meetings, and training and rehabilitation courses inside and outside Iraq.
9. Granting special identification cards to individuals with disabilities and special needs.
10. Encouraging the manufacture of devices and equipment needed by individuals with disabilities and special needs.

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research's Role:

According to Article 15, item (3) of the Iraqi Disability and Special Needs Law No. 38 of 2013, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is responsible for the following:

1. Providing educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities and special needs according to their abilities and potential.
2. Preparing specialized, qualified educational staff to work with different categories of individuals with disabilities and special needs.
3. Allocating one seat in each field for individuals with disabilities in postgraduate studies.

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