Morocco's new disability card criticized for lacking concrete benefits

Morocco's disability recognition system is facing significant backlash as advocacy groups argue that the newly introduced disability card fails to deliver meaningful support to those who need it most. The National Union of Associations Working in the Field of Intellectual Disabilities (UNAHM) has issued a stark warning about the card's limitations, stating it risks becoming "nothing more than a piece of paper" without guaranteed benefits.

Unlike similar systems in other countries that automatically grant access to essential services, Morocco's disability card lacks clear provisions for crucial benefits such as priority medical care, transportation fee exemptions, and structured employment programs. This shortcoming particularly affects families already burdened by high care costs.

The situation is further complicated by a funding crisis affecting specialized disability centers. These facilities, which traditionally relied on public subsidies from the Ministry of Social Development and the Social Cohesion Fund, have not received their expected allocation this year. This funding gap threatens both the services provided to thousands of disabled individuals and the employment of essential staff including educators, therapists, psychologists, and social workers.

Implementation challenges also plague the system. While the decree establishing the card calls for regional commissions to assess applicants, it fails to specify evaluation criteria, raising concerns about inconsistent decision-making and limited appeals options for rejected applications.

As the 2025 academic year approaches, uncertainty surrounds the future of integrated classrooms and specialized centers, with no confirmation of funding for these vital educational support programs for children with disabilities.

In response, disability rights organizations are demanding immediate government action to enhance the card's effectiveness. Their key demands include automatic benefit entitlements, immediate release of promised subsidies, stable long-term funding through national healthcare and social security systems, transparent evaluation criteria with clear appeals processes, and the establishment of a dedicated government body to oversee disability-related policies.

The union has formally requested a government response, emphasizing that the current situation affects thousands of disabled individuals and their support professionals. Without urgent reforms, critics argue that Morocco's disability recognition system will remain largely symbolic, offering administrative acknowledgment without substantive support for its intended beneficiaries.