Problems of the disabled are discussed in Brest

The event was a part of the information campaign "Availability", arrangedby the educational human rights institution "Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities".

As stated by the coordinator of the "Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities " Siarhei Drazdouski, the purpose of this stage of the campaign is to influence the content and format of public programs for people with disabilities to redirect the documents to the standards contained in the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. "It is important both for the disabled themselves and the public to understand how these government programs are compiled and how we can participate in such a process”, said Mr. Drazdouski. “For example, in 2015 there were four new programs relating to national policy in the field of disability, and their development will begin next year. Therefore, at our meetings in the regions of Belarus we determine the questions which shold be proposed to those involved in the elabpration of such documents."

Despite the fact that Belarus is not yet a party to the international Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities, the officials say that the country is in preparation for signing the document. Therefore, according to Siarhei Drazdouski, it is important now to influence the content of the new government programs with a focus on the principles contained in the global convention. "In contrast to the European legislation, the Belarusian one has no personal orientation onthe individual. Because of this, government programs are working "for everyone", not anyone in particular. We should eliminate this blurring and determine how effectively the existing programs are implemented,” considers the coordinator of the" Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities."