MUSCAT – The Ministry of Social Development has introduced the Disability Card, an official document proving that the holder is a person with disability. The card, which is valid for five years, forms part of Oman’s wider efforts to provide easier access to government services, benefits, and necessary support for people with disabilities.
The Disability Card serves as an official proof of disability, facilitating access to services and benefits provided by the Ministry of Social Development. It is available to Omanis, individuals born in the Sultanate or abroad to an Omani mother, and residents of Oman, provided that their disability falls within the categories approved by the Ministry.
A person with a disability is defined as anyone with a long-term impairment in physical, mental, intellectual, sensory, or social functions that may hinder full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. Currently, the Ministry recognised disability classifications include physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, hearing and visual impairments, autism spectrum disorders, and Down syndrome.
Applicants can obtain the Disability Card through the Ministry of Social Development’s e-services portal (Eservices.mosd.gov.om), the unified government services portal (www.gov.om), or Social Development Departments across the governorates.
As part of the card, the Ministry differentiates between medical assessment and functional assessment in determining eligibility. While the Social Development Ministry conducts functional assessments for individuals with physical disabilities to determine the degree of disability through approved tests, the Ministry of Health performs specialised medical assessments to identify the underlying causes and pathological factors of the disability and issues an official medical report.