Amman, July 15 (Petra) -- The Ministries of Social Development and Education on Wednesday ordered the closure of the Hadban Center for Autism and People with Disabilities and the transfer of its beneficiaries to alternative specialized facilities following an inspection that uncovered multiple regulatory violations.

In a joint statement, the ministries said the decision includes the closure of both the center's day-care and residential facilities. The move followed a joint inspection by a specialized team from the two ministries in coordination with the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities. It was based on the findings of a report issued by the Family and Juvenile Protection Department of the Public Security Directorate.

Prior to the closure, monitoring and inspection committees had documented a series of regulatory violations during regular visits to the center. Because the administration failed to address these deficiencies, an investigation and audit committee was formed on June 11 to examine the violations and take the necessary legal and administrative measures in accordance with applicable legislation.

However, the committee's work was repeatedly obstructed during field visits on June 11, June 15, and June 21. Following instructions from the center's administration, staff delayed facilitating inspections, withheld or concealed required records, and refused to provide requested documents. Despite these actions, the administration was granted a one-month grace period to rectify the violations, which expired this week without compliance.

Consequently, the company operating the facility, Hadban Center for People with Special Needs, has been officially removed from the register of the Companies Control Department at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply.

To ensure the welfare of the center's clients, the ministries stressed that all students and beneficiaries will continue to receive services without interruption. They are being transferred to alternative specialized centers capable of meeting their individual needs.

The ministries reaffirmed their commitment to monitoring all centers under their supervision through regular inspections by specialized technical committees to safeguard the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities. They added that all such facilities are connected to an electronic monitoring system, enabling competent authorities to continuously verify compliance with service delivery requirements and quality standards.

//Petra// AJ