28-05-2021

Within the framework of co-operation and co-ordination between the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and the King Fahd Causeway Authority, a joint meeting was held remotely, bringing together representatives from the Ministry, the Information & eGovernment Authority, and the King Fahd Causeway Authority via video call, to review the King Fahd Causeway’s preparations to issue the special lane card for Persons with Disabilities (People of Determination) and the associated facilities by adopting the new disability card integrated with the updated ID card details. The meeting was attended by the Acting Rehabilitation Welfare Director, Head of the Special Needs Services Department at the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, Mrs. Jalila Al Sayed Salman Shuber, together with the Director of the Government Systems Development Directorate at the Information & eGovernment Authority, Mr. Abdulla Habib, and from the Saudi side at the King Fahd Causeway Authority, Mr. Mohammed Obaid from the Corporate Communications Management at the Authority, as well several specialists from all parties. During the meeting, the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s system for integrating disability cards with the Bahraini national identity was thoroughly discussed, and the bridge reception system for individuals in the aforementioned category and the requirements needed to issue the special discount card and the designated path were also addressed. This included establishing an alternative integrated mechanism in light of the data integration for people with disabilities until the updated card is approved in the Authority’s system. Mrs. Jalila Al Sayed noted the efforts of those in charge of King Fahd Causeway to overcome difficulties for travellers with determination through the facilities it provides for holders of disability cards, noting that the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, in the context of keeping pace with developments and modern technologies to enhance service, recently, in co-operation with the Information & eGovernment Authority, integrated the data of people with disabilities into the identity card without the need for a special card proving that the individual is disabled. In turn, Mr. Obaid affirmed the King Fahd Causeway Authority’s efforts to introduce modern technologies to overcome the obstacles facing travellers with disabilities, highlighting the importance of continuous coordination with the relevant authorities in Bahrain in everything that would serve all travellers. For his part, Habib highlighted the new ID card’s security features and technical advantages, emphasising the Information & eGovernment Authority’s support for joint efforts to serve everyone, particularly those with special needs, and facilitate their crossing of the King Fahd Causeway.