Disabled people wanting to work must have such opportunity

YEREVAN, APRIL 11, ARMENPRESS: During the recent years noticeable steps have been undertaken for helping the people with disabilities to integrate into society. Armenpress news agency spoke about the implemented work, existing issues and further activities with Deputy Labor and Social Affairs Minister Jemma Baghdasaryan.

- Mrs Baghdasaryan, Armenia has ratified UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities. What are the principles of the Convention? What commitments has Armenia assumed?

- During the recent years Armenia is passing from medical model to a social one. That is to say we are viewing a disabled person with all his/her issues. It is reflected both in our legislative acts and state programs. Last year Armenia has ratified the UN Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities which supposes additional commitments. The Convention does not establish any new right for a disabled person, it just obliges the states to ensure the application of all the rights of people with disabilities.

States that have ratified the Convention must create necessary, available, equal terms for people with disabilities. Naturally, it cannot happen immediately.

In case we ensure equal rights in all the spheres – urban development, education, culture, employment, etc. a person with disabilities can become a full member of the society. There is just an issue to ensure equal conditions for a handicapped person: this is the main approach of the convention.

- What works have been undertaken during the recent years for integrating people with disabilities into the society? What issues do exist today?

- During the recent years steps have been undertaken in different directions. The legislative field of the urban development sphere has changed. The law says that the newly build buildings must create conditions for ensuring the free move of people with disabilities. It is not being ensured in all the cases. Today we have started serious work in that direction.

When we are speaking about social involvement, it is very important for disabled children to contact with each other, attend the same school. If we separate the children, serious problems will come forth and speaking about integration will be unnecessary. Today inclusive education model is being discussed in Armenia, according to which in all the cases when it is possible to ensure education of a person with disability with his/her contemporaries through special approaches, programs, it must be done.

Initially it was really difficult, as parents of not disabled children were trying to impede, the pedagogical staffs did not perceive the process well. Today we do not have such issue. People perceive and feel that it does not hinder the study process at all. Besides, we are trying to undertake steps to make sports and cultural events available for the people with disabilities. During any events the organizers must ensure available places for people with disabilities. We are actively collaborating with non-governmental organizations dealing with the issues of disabled people.

- What issues do the disabled people face in the employment sphere?

- If in other spheres we reached certain success, in the employment sphere, in spite of progress, we still have a lot to do. We see positive attitude of employers toward people with disabilities but still there are issues. Many employers, nevertheless, put difference. But there are employers who does not put any difference and accept them and are very pleased.

We also have few state programs and this year we are planning to carry out new ones which will be directed toward the solution of employment issues of disabled people.