President Muizzu Pledges to Eliminate Systemic Barriers for Persons With Disabilities

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to dismantling systemic obstacles faced by persons with disabilities, pledging to foster a more inclusive society throughout the Maldives. Speaking during this week’s "Rayyithunge Adu" interactive programme, the President emphasized that the empowerment of individuals with special needs is a top national priority. He assured the public that his government is actively formulating community-wide solutions to ensure that support reaches the wider population rather than just isolated cases. "I will address all the points you have raised," President Muizzu stated. "I want things to be facilitated as best and as quickly as possible, in a manner that benefits not just a specific child, but the entire community.” The President's pledge followed a testimony from Fathimath Fairooza Adam, Secretary General and National Director of Special Olympics. As a parent of a child with Down syndrome, Fairooza detailed the discrimination her child faced within the education system, including the denial of school admissions at a young age. Fairooza highlighted critical gaps in the current infrastructure, citing overcrowded classrooms where a single educator is often tasked with managing students of varying needs, preventing necessary individual attention. Beyond education, she pointed to significant hurdles in securing adequate housing and specialized therapy services. She also noted a stark disparity in state support between the Special Olympics and mainstream sporting initiatives. Data from the 2022 Census underscores the scale of the challenge, recording 24,401 individuals with special needs in the Maldives. Approximately 3.2 percent of this population lives with intellectual disabilities, including autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome. Fairooza urged the government to implement sustainable, non-discriminatory programmes across education and daily life to accommodate these citizens. In response, President Muizzu reiterated that the government is dedicated to resolving these systemic failures. The administration maintains that ensuring equal opportunities, robust legal protections, and the preservation of dignity for persons with disabilities is fundamental to achieving true social equality in the Maldives.