The Independent Commission for Human Rights Recommendations for the Ministry of Social Affairs The Ministry of Social Affairs shoulders many responsibilities as the competent duty-bearer. It is expected to fulfill its obligations towards enforcement of the rights of PWDs in accordance with the law and development policy, which is based on the human rights-based approach. In light of the findings of the study conducted by ICHR, the Ministry of Social Affairs should: 1. Include the rights of PWDs into the social protection policy. 2. Activate the strategic plan for PWDs by engaging civil society organizations with policy drawing and plan-adopting. 3. Develop training programs aimed at empowering PWDs to get integrated into the Palestinian labor market. This could be achieved by assisting them to build their income-generating micro-businesses, reducing their dependency on in kind and financial aids “Disability Salary” and progressive transformation towards self-reliance and independence. These programs should also aim to transform the protection and relief strategy for empowerment and development. 4. The Ministry should contribute, through applicants of PWDs, for aids and in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor in particular and other Ministries, including the General Personnel Council for elaborating a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at creating suitable job opportunities for PWDs in the three main job sectors. These job opportunities should match the type of disability and the competences and potentials PWDs have. 5. Develop and update the database of the Ministry in coordination and cooperation with the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, other Palestinian Ministries and General Personnel Council with a view to benefit from it in drawing and designing future policies and strategies and to upgrade the status of persons with disability and their right to decent work, in particular. 16