Miory Regional Executive Committee
The 57th session of the Verkhnedvinsk District Council of Deputies of the 28th convocation was held at the State Institution "Lunacharsky Psychoneurological Boarding Home for Elderly and Disabled Persons", where the progress of implementing the measures of the subprogram "Accessible Environment for the Life Activity of Disabled Persons and Physically Weakened Individuals of the State Program "Social Protection" for 2021–2025" in 2023 was reviewed.
Vladimir Terentyev, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies, Boris Efremov, Chairman of the Committee on Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, and Vasily Shilov, Chairman of the Verkhnedvinsk District Executive Committee, participated in the session.
The session was chaired by Irina Kozel, Chairman of the Verkhnedvinsk District Council of Deputies.
Session participants familiarized themselves with the facilities of the Lunacharsky Boarding Home, including the living conditions, medical treatment, and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities. The institution’s director, Olga Lyudskaya, reported on the establishment of an accessible therapeutic environment for the 420 residents. This comprises cozy rooms, therapy rooms equipped with a variety of modern rehabilitation techniques, non-traditional health improvement methods, specially outfitted sports halls, leisure zones, and numerous other elements ensuring a comfortable stay. Essentially, the boarding home operates as a comprehensive complex for daily living, suitable employment, health maintenance, the realization of creative potential, and beneficial recreation for individuals facing difficulties with social adaptation.
The Lunacharsky boarding school is one of the key facilities in creating an accessible living environment for persons with disabilities and those with physical limitations. Overall, comprehensive work is being carried out in this direction in the district. Commenting on the progress of the program's implementation, Ilya Bolshoy, Head of the Department of Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the District Executive Committee, noted that 1,346 people with disabilities live in the Verkhnedvinsk district, including 59 wheelchair users, 73 people with visual impairments, 5 with hearing impairments, and 63 children with disabilities under 18 years of age. It is the task of the state and society to ensure their full access to transport, information and communications, medical care, education, other facilities and services provided to the population. An Interdepartmental Council on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been established in the district, which includes representatives of local disability public associations. The Council identifies facilities for creating an accessible environment, as well as monitors and controls their implementation. Such facilities include remote-controlled voice information terminals, tactile paving and indoor guide rails, informational signs for offices duplicated in raised Braille lettering, pictograms for restrooms, call buttons for persons with disabilities, ramps with handrails, pictograms, and many others.
The speaker reported on the work being carried out to create an accessible environment in social institutions, enterprises, and organizations in the district. Examples include a parking space for persons with disabilities at the Verkhnedvinsk bus station, tactile paving and a playground with specialized equipment for children with disabilities in the city park, the creation of barrier-free environments in residential buildings where persons with disabilities live, and the replenishment of library collections with publications for blind and visually impaired users.
The experience of creating an accessible environment in their facilities was shared by Olga Lyudskaya, Director of the State Institution of Social Protection "Lunacharsky Psychoneurological Boarding Home for the Elderly and Disabled"; Tatiana Nikiforova, Head of the Day Stay Department for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities at the State Institution "Territorial Center for Social Services for the Population of the Verkhnedvinsky District"; and Galina Pirog, Director of the State Educational Institution "Center for Corrective, Developmental Education and Rehabilitation of the Verkhnedvinsky District".
Boris Efremov, Chairman of the Committee on Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, noted that the program measures aimed at creating an accessible environment in the district are being implemented. However, by the end of the year, several additional projects to enhance accessibility must be completed, including at the Territorial Center for Social Services for the Population (TCSON), the District Executive Committee, and the Central District Hospital.
Vasily Shilov, Chairman of the District Executive Committee, noted that over one million rubles have been allocated for the polyclinic renovation, which will enable the implementation of planned initiatives to create a barrier-free environment. He also emphasized that the integration of persons with disabilities into society has always been, and will continue to be, a matter of particular attention in the district.
Vladimir Terentyev, Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, thanked the deputies, district leadership, and representatives of social protection authorities and institutions for their ongoing work, noting its vital importance for individuals requiring such support.
Vladimir Terentyev outlined the implementation of the accessible environment creation program across the Vitebsk Region. This includes the construction of specialized playgrounds for children with disabilities in various districts, provision of adaptive bicycles and developmental playhouses for young children with special needs, procurement of wheelchairs for persons with disabilities, installation of ramps and designated parking spaces, and many other initiatives.
However, much remains to be done. Vladimir Vladimirovich recommended accompanying a person with a disability along the route from their home to various essential facilities. This will immediately make it clear how difficult the everyday route for an able-bodied person is for a person with a disability. Assisting in overcoming these barriers, integrating individuals into society, and creating conditions for a full life is a responsibility that demonstrates the maturity of our society and a genuine humane attitude towards people.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by