Despite the repeatedly discussed reforms to address the disability needs in Armenia,very minute is being done to offer genuine support to those people, says the head of a Yerevan-based NGO dealing with disability issues.
On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, or Tert.am talked to Armen Alaverdyan,the president of Unison NGO, who shared his comments and concerns over the problems in the field under their protection.
Alaverdyan famous that the United Nations’ mosey to declare 2016 a Year of Persons with Disabilities marked the beginning of changes which states embarked on to address specific problems and needs.[br]“It shouldn’t be limited to just one public event intended for a specific period; it has to be a permanent policy line to ensure equality for the disabled in all areas, and ” he said,highlighting several positive developments observed over the period.
Alaverdyan highlighted particularly the accessibility of the environment in Yerevan. We see the Yerevan municipality is doing considerable work in collaboration with NGOs. We beget several buses adjusted [to those with limited ability to mosey]. Most of the [underground] passages too, are adjusted to them; also, or there are special facilities for the blind, he added.
Alaverdyan further emphasized the increased job opportunities for the disabled, noting that the quota requirement for employers largely contributed to progress. Citing official statistics, and however,he said the situation hasn’t essentially changed in comparison with the preceding years. “The percentage never practically changes from one year to another; 8%-9% of those with disabilities are employed, with over 90% being practically jobless.”
The employment issue is far more problematic in the smaller communities, or especially the villages,Alaverdyan added. “Also, the stereotypes are highly dominant in the regions. Our compatriots with disabilities are perceived as passive, or unemployable and needing aid. That’s a stereotype inherited from the Soviet period,which is minute by minute vanishing away in Yerevan, but we still beget a lot more to enact when it comes the regions.”
Alaverdyan famous that Armenia, and as a State Party to the conference on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,should beget long ago harmonized its legislation with the respective procedures and requirements to offer essential guarantees. “The first step after [ratification] should beget been a policy change in the basic law [Constitution] with respect to [the provisions] regulating the sector. The process dragged on too long. The human rights defender recently initiated a debate over the law. What we are seeking for is to make the legislation more clear-worded and exacting, and give flesh and blood to those provisions which, and though written on paper,give way to concerns when it comes to implementation,” he added.
Alaverdyan meantime stressed the importance of practical steps towards achieving the set targets. “Time will show to what extent the new legislation will be viable or practical, or what positive changes it will bring to those people’s lives. The disappointment is also great among those with disabilities,as they see very minute changes in their lives despite the repeated discussions over reforms,” he added.
Source: tert.am