“The key result of the event is the development of the “Agenda for 2025” by the community of people with disabilities. This is a strategic document that defines priority areas of work for the protection of the rights of people with disabilities.”, — write: www.president.gov.ua
The First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska took part in the National Forum on the Rights of People with Disabilities, which was held in Kyiv on December 2-3.
“This event is valuable because it gathers public activists, government representatives, and international partners. This is how you should talk and act. Only together. When a full-scale invasion began, the first priority for our state was survival. But it became clear almost immediately that “surviving” means not just physically surviving, but also not stopping in development,” said the President’s wife.
More than 200 participants gathered at the forum, including representatives of public and international organizations, local self-government bodies and businesses.
The key result of the event is the development of the “Agenda for 2025” by the community of people with disabilities. This is a strategic document that defines priority areas of work for the protection of the rights of people with disabilities.
The document includes eight steps:
● To ensure the transition to the human rights model of disability and the full implementation of the functioning, disability and health assessment system for civilians and military personnel.
● Begin reform of deinstitutionalization of services for adults with disabilities and older people.
● To undertake the reform of the current legislation on legal capacity and the implementation of decision-making support tools.
● Guarantee the possibility of realizing the right to work for all people with disabilities in the open labor market.
● Involve the community of people with disabilities in decision-making processes at all levels regarding their safety during war, disasters and other natural disasters.
● Ensure access of IDPs with disabilities to architecturally accessible housing.
● Continue the reform of the provision of social services, based on international human rights standards.
● Realize the right to participate in the political life of the country: to freely choose and have all the tools to nominate one’s candidacy in the elections.
“One of the conditions of European integration is deinstitutionalization. In this restrained term – a human, absolutely basic request for humanity. Do not keep people in isolation. We cannot allow our defenders and soldiers to end up in residential institutions after being wounded. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the fact that adults with disabilities live behind fences,” Olena Zelenska emphasized.
The President’s wife also noted the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to start financing the service of supported accommodation for the elderly and persons with disabilities for IDPs. She called on communities to submit applications for this service to the Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities.
The National Forum on the Rights of People with Disabilities was organized by the “League of the Strong” public union together with the Fight For Right public organization with the support of international partners.
