Decade of disabled persons started in the Republic of Tatarstan

On December 1, at a briefing at Tatarstan Cabinet of Ministers on the decade of disabled persons, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Protection of the republic Elmira Zaripova told that 319, 000 disabled people, including 15.1 tousand children live in Tatarstan.

She mentioned that 2.5 bln rubles were allocated for “Accessible environment” programme in Tatarstan in 2011-2015, under which 709 health care, educational, cultural and social institutions have been modernized. Every institution is marked on the accessibility map. It is planned to modernize 227 facilities in 2016.

Elmira Zaripova noted that the level of unemployment of disabled people in the republic is quite high. However, under crisis conditions the funding of all regional programmes in terms of assignment of quotas, creation of special work positions, rendering assistance in starting own business and professional training remained the same.  Zaripova continued that job fairs are very helpful in this matter. As for social services, the republic is hundred per cent provided with rehabilitation centers, having 13 centers for children and 7 for adults in Tatarstan.  

The speaker stated that most of rehabilitation equipment is imported, and the deflation of the ruble affected the situation. A special programme on producing domestic equipment only started this year in Russia, and it turned out that the allocated funds will not be enough to meet current needs.

Speaking about interesting events that will be held in the republic within the framework of the decade of disabled persons, Zaripova told that the 8th festival of artistic creativity of disabled people “Join hands, friends!” and contest “Pearl of Tatarstan” for disabled women will be held on December 18 in Tatarstan.