Rustem Khamitov chaired the Government Presidium meeting on social protection of disabled people

Issues of social protection were discussed at the meeting of the Presidium of the Government RB chaired by the President of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov.

The President considers that state and municipal authorities should work jointly with NGOs, disabled people associations and charitable foundations.

A special attention should be paid to improving the quality of life of families with disabled children.

“Currently more than 300,000 disabled people live in the region, including more than 14,000 – children” Rustem Khamitov quoted the figures. “Moreover, in recent years the number of adults with disabilities is markedly reduced, but the situation with disabled children is quite the opposite – their number is growing, and it occurs nationwide.”

The President instructed the Government of the republic to revise the sum of benefits to unemployed able-bodied persons who take care of disabled children.

Also at the meeting it was talked about the organization of timely medical rehabilitation of children with disabilities.

Speaking about it, the President suggested that the Government, together with the Ministry of Health RB study the issue of a specialized children's medical rehabilitation centre construction.

Besides, Rustem Khamitov said about the need for effective and comfortable learning environment friendly to disabled children.

The corresponding program was adopted in Bashkortostan in April 2011, a half year before the adoption of the similar federal program. Nevertheless, there are about 20 thousand social objects in the republic where the accessibility conditions should be reached.

During the meeting one of the most pressing problems - the employment of disabled persons was also discussed.

“Of more than three thousand people who applied last year to employment services, not more than 37 percent managed to find jobs. That is, of the three applied only one was able to get a job” the President said. One of the tools in the organization of disabled people labour is a system of job quotas for their employment. This mechanism requires employers to give jobs to people with disabilities.