Ability or Social Status - Cooper Hardy

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 While here in Morocco, I've noticed many places are inaccessible to those with physical disabilities. Just the other day, entering the Medina in Fes required navigating steep, narrow staircases. Inside, the crowded aisles made it nearly impossible for someone in a wheelchair to move around. This isn't just an inconvenience—it can be life-altering. Many artisans in the Medina are older and have spent years honing their crafts. If they were to become physically disabled, accessing their workspace could become impossible, threatening their livelihoods.

According to the High Commission for Planning (HCP), 727,833 people in Morocco live with a disability, making up 5.5% of the population (United Nations Development Programme, 2023). Despite legal frameworks supporting disability rights, practical barriers persist. A 2021 survey by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) found that employers often perceive hiring persons with disabilities as challenging, citing workplace accessibility and lack of accommodations as significant hurdles (ESCWA, 2023).ESCWA

These observations highlight the gap between policy and practice. While Morocco has made commitments to inclusivity, real change requires addressing everyday obstacles that prevent full participation in society.



United Nations Development Programme. (2023, July 26). Towards an inclusive society: UNDP Morocco’s commitment in support of persons with disabilities. https://www.undp.org/arab-states/blog/towards-inclusive-society-undp-moroccos-commitment-support-persons-disabilities


United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. (2023). Persons with disabilities: Labour market perceptions survey - Morocco. https://www.unescwa.org/publications/persons-disabilities-labour-market-perceptions-survey-morocco


Comments

  1. Becca VelasquezMay 30, 2025 at 6:26 AM

    Along with noticing places that are inaccessible I also noticed a lack of representation of those with physical disabilities. This makes since though, if the space itself is not accessible then why would someone exist in the space if it is not conducive to them and their situation. I liked your connection with the artisans, their workplace, and livelihood. To emphasize your point, policy is great but only effective when paired with real change at the ground level. When thinking of the Medinas especially it raises questions of the ability to make it more accessible physically. Even if it seems impossible, I find it a worthy task to tackle.

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