Barrier-free environment

June 11, 2020

In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the Social Protection of Disabled Persons in the Republic of Belarus", every disabled person who is unable to meet their vital needs by their own efforts has the right to guaranteed assistance from the state.

Physically weakened individuals are often unable to lead a full life due to social and physical barriers that hinder their full participation in public life. Around the world, special attention has long been paid to equal opportunities for people with disabilities and efforts are being made to create a barrier-free environment.

In this regard, the district prosecutor's office conducted an inspection of the compliance with the rights of disabled persons and elderly citizens in the Gluboksky district as part of the implementation of the State Program for Social Protection and Employment of the Population for 2016-2020.

The inspection revealed that not all social facilities in the district are equipped with barrier-free environment elements.

For example, a number of pedestrian crossings lacked lowered curbs, and the presence of height differences at the intersections of pedestrian paths and roadways prevents physically weakened individuals from moving freely around the city. At facilities in priority areas of life, the first and last steps of stair flights are not marked with a pronounced textured surface and contrasting color. Only some public facilities in the district had bright markings on filled doorways made of transparent materials.

The increased flow of vehicular traffic on the city streets contributes to increased demands on all road users. However, the traffic lights in the city are not equipped with audible signals to inform visually impaired and physically weakened individuals about traffic. The roadway leading to disabled parking spaces at the parking lots near the city House of Culture, Healthcare Institution "Gluboksky Central District Hospital" is not marked with special road signs and markings.

Based on the results of the inspection, measures were taken

response, 1 official has been disciplined. A number of the indicated violations have currently been rectified, however, work on creating an accessible environment in the district is still ongoing.

There are 1168 people with disabilities living in the Gluboksky district, including 116 people with disabilities with impaired motor functions (wheelchair users), and 102 visually impaired people. People with disabilities make up 3.19% of the total population of the district.

Senior Assistant Prosecutor

of Gluboksky District Alexandra Yankina