December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities․

 

Despite the efforts of the country in recent years, people with disabilities still face significant challenges in Armenia. The current practice and the relevant regulatory framework to determine if a person has a disability continue to be one of the challenges. As a result, people are not able to exercise a number of their rights fully, including the right to healthcare. Difficulties arise also in exercising the right to education, right to work, and right to full participation in all spheres of life due to the inaccessible environment.

 

Highlighting the objective of the day, it should be noted that the level of awareness about the rights of people with disabilities both in the public agencies and the society is not sufficient. The monitoring of the Human rights defender’s office also proves that problems related to the realization of rights arise as a result of insufficient involvement of persons with disabilities in the decision-making process. 

 

Ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Armenia has committed to ensuring real opportunities for exercising those rights. To this end, any action, reform, or program needs to be based on two core principles: respect for the dignity of the person with a disability and the guarantee to realize their rights independently. It is required that the government supports the private sector in embracing corporate social responsibility and implementing CSR programs targeting persons with disabilities. The understanding, that required needs-based services must be available in all communities to shape a truly inclusive environment, has to be a common one. At the same time, the right of people with disabilities to live independently has to be promoted.

 

Issues of people with disabilities are our issues, and each of us has a contribution to make. 

 

Thank you.

 

 

  -   Press release