Accessible Facilities (10.6.7)

Ensuring campus buildings and services are physically accessible to persons with disabilities.

Introduction:

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) is fully committed to ensuring that all campus buildings, services, and learning environments are physically accessible, inclusive, and equitable for persons with disabilities. Guided by the principles of universal design, the university continuously works to remove physical, digital, and social barriers that could hinder participation in academic and community life. Accessibility is integrated into every aspect of campus planning and facility management, reflecting AAU’s belief that education and campus life should be equally available to everyone, regardless of physical ability or special needs.

AAU’s infrastructure and building designs strictly comply with national and international accessibility standards, including the Jordanian Building Code for Accessibility (JBC-A) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). All academic and administrative facilities—including lecture halls, laboratories, libraries, cafeterias, restrooms, dormitories, and transportation systems—are equipped with ramps, elevators, tactile paths, and clearly marked accessible routes. Signage in Braille, accessible seating arrangements, and barrier-free restrooms ensure full inclusion in both educational and extracurricular activities.

Moreover, the university has invested in assistive technologies such as text-to-speech systems, specialized computer stations, and adjustable desks to support students and staff with visual, hearing, and motor impairments. The AAU Health Training Center and Student Affairs Deanship provide ongoing assessment, rehabilitation guidance, and counseling to ensure that students with disabilities receive personalized academic support.

Accessibility audits are conducted annually to evaluate compliance and identify areas for improvement, while maintenance teams are trained to implement universal access principles in all renovation and construction projects. Through these initiatives, AAU demonstrates its unwavering commitment to fostering a disability-inclusive, barrier-free, and equitable campus, ensuring that every individual can move, learn, and thrive independently and with dignity.

Centers and Departments:

January
01

1. General Supplies and Services Department

Responsible for maintaining and upgrading campus infrastructure to meet the Jordanian Building Code for Accessibility and international universal design standards. The department ensures the availability of ramps, elevators, tactile walkways, accessible restrooms, and designated parking spaces for persons with disabilities. It also oversees signage, lighting, and physical navigation aids that facilitate safe and independent movement across campus.

January
01

2. Human Resources and Institutional Development Unit – Measurement and Evaluation Section

Conducts accessibility audits and compliance assessments as part of the university’s quality assurance and sustainability evaluation system. It monitors performance indicators related to accessibility and inclusion across campus facilities.

January
01

3. Deanship of Student Affairs – Guidance and Alumni Office

Provides direct support and counselling services to students with disabilities, ensuring equitable access to academic and extracurricular resources. The office also collaborates with local NGOs and national organizations to promote inclusion and community participation.

January
01

4. Al-Ahliyya Amman University Health Training Center

Offers specialized assessment, rehabilitation advice, and training programs to support students and staff with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. The center also coordinates medical and psychological support and provides educational workshops to raise awareness about accessibility and inclusion.

January
01

5. Hourani e-Learning Center

Ensures accessibility of digital platforms, e-learning systems, and online resources by integrating assistive technologies such as screen readers, alternative text, and captioned videos, supporting equal participation in hybrid and online education.

January
01

6. Sustainability and International Ranking Center

Integrates accessibility goals into AAU’s sustainability strategy, SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) reports, and university-wide inclusion initiatives.

Activities:

January
01

1. Accessible Facilities and Services for People with Disabilities

Al-Ahliyya Amman University ensures that all its facilities, services, and learning environments are physically accessible to persons with disabilities. The university continuously upgrades its campus infrastructure to include ramps, elevators, tactile guidance systems, accessible restrooms, and designated parking areas in line with national and international accessibility standards.

Through the General Supplies and Services Department, AAU oversees continuous maintenance and compliance with accessibility guidelines, ensuring safe and independent movement for all members of the university community. Additionally, the Health Training Center conducts awareness sessions and emergency preparedness workshops focusing on supporting individuals with physical and sensory disabilities.

A dedicated webpage titled Access for People with Special Needs

provides transparent information about accessibility features across the university campus, including available facilities, assistance services, and inclusion measures.

These initiatives reflect the university’s strong commitment to universal design and inclusive education, aligning with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

January
01

2. Collaboration with Al-Hussein Society for Training and Inclusion

Al-Ahliyya Amman University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Al-Hussein Society / Jordan Center for Training and Inclusion to enhance scientific cooperation, research, and rehabilitation programs that serve children with disabilities. The partnership includes joint training activities, applied research, workshops, and specialized conferences on inclusion and accessibility. It also provides practical training opportunities for AAU students in physiotherapy and occupational therapy, supporting national efforts to develop inclusive and accessible learning environments.

January
01

3. Campus Accessibility Enhancement Project

The Faculty of Engineering, in cooperation with the General Supplies and Services Department, led a university-wide infrastructure improvement project that included installing elevators in older buildings, redesigning ramps, widening corridors, and adding tactile ground surface indicators for visually impaired individuals. The project ensures compliance with accessibility standards and strengthens AAU’s inclusive campus policy.

January
01

4. Accessibility and Inclusion Awareness Day

Organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs in cooperation with the Disability Support Office, this awareness campaign aimed to promote inclusion and understanding of accessibility challenges faced by persons with disabilities. The event included student-led presentations, experience-sharing panels, and distribution of informational brochures about the rights of people with disabilities in education.