Jordan Launches National Inclusive Art and Music Therapy Program for Persons with Disabilities
On June 21, 2026, Amman hosted a landmark ceremony when Jordan’s Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) announced the launch of a nationwide inclusive art and music therapy program. The event, held under the patronage of Prince Mired bin Raad, drew ambassadors, representatives from international donor agencies, disability advocates, national partner institutions and experts in culture and rehabilitation.
The initiative fits into Jordan’s broader strategy to guarantee that people with disabilities can fully participate in cultural life and to broaden the scope of rehabilitation services. Backed by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, the program is built on partnerships that link HCD with the King Hussein Foundation’s National Music Conservatory and the Haya Cultural Center.
At its core, the program creates a national platform that blends art as a means of expression and social inclusion with music therapy as a contemporary rehabilitation practice. Guided by international best‑practice standards, it seeks to improve communication, motor skills and sensory regulation for participants. HCD says the program will weave creative therapies into Jordan’s formal rehabilitation framework and will strengthen national professionals through evidence‑based methods.
“The discipline of music therapy is an internationally accredited clinical field that uses rhythm, melody, sound and movement within structured interventions led by qualified specialists to achieve specific therapeutic goals,” explained Hana Shahin, Executive Director of the King Hussein Foundation. “It has repeatedly proven effective in enhancing cognitive capacities and emotional regulation.”
Valentina Kassisieh, CEO of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, added that the initiative connects cultural development with human rights and rehabilitation, opening new avenues for people with disabilities to express themselves, develop skills and engage in public life. She emphasized that true inclusion requires collaboration across cultural, educational and rehabilitative institutions.
Reem Al‑Adwan, Director General of the Haya Cultural Center, noted that the partnership with HCD has strengthened inclusive practices within cultural programming by training staff, adapting artistic spaces and tailoring content for accessibility. She said the center is working with HCD to draft a national framework for inclusive art policies and protection strategies, and will award 30 inclusive artistic grants in music, arts and drama for children and young adults.
Muhannad Al‑Azzeh, Secretary General of HCD, highlighted that the program marks a significant step toward embedding creative therapies into Jordan’s formal rehabilitation framework and building professional capacity with evidence‑based scientific methods. He said it extends beyond standard cultural activities by establishing music therapy as a tool to improve counseling, psychological support and specialized care through advanced creative methodologies.
The program’s first agenda will feature inclusive musical performances that bring together artists with and without disabilities, art exhibitions showcasing work from the disabled community, and documentary projects that highlight success stories and raise public awareness. The initiative aims to provide a national platform for ongoing collaboration among artists, therapists, educators and policymakers.
Jordan’s launch demonstrates a commitment to integrating arts and therapeutic practices for people with disabilities. By aligning cultural participation with evidence‑based rehabilitation, the program seeks to foster a more inclusive society and set a precedent for similar efforts across the region.
HCD will continue to monitor the program’s impact and report on outcomes as it expands its reach nationwide.
