What obstacles do people with disabilities face when seeking employment?
Recently, a "round table" was held in the regional center, initiated by the Vitebsk regional organization of the NGO "Republican Association of Wheelchair Users". Representatives of public organizations of disabled people, charitable foundations, state structures, and entrepreneurs took part in the discussion of issues vital for people with disabilities. The goal of the meeting was to find ways to ensure equal access for disabled people to all spheres of life.
The main problem for this category of citizens remains employment. Currently, 324 disabled people work at enterprises in the region, 220 of whom are visually impaired.
The chairman of the VROOO "RAIK", Dmitry Stemasov, supported by the organization's activists, outlined the situation as follows:
— One often hears the words: “Disabled people have pensions, why should they work?”. But it is quite difficult to live on a pension alone. Many have families. Besides, people want to benefit society, to feel their social significance. The desire to work is especially present in young people. But at the very starting point, they face a lot of difficulties. Firstly, to provide a workplace for a disabled person, it must be specially equipped. Then there are issues with the toilet, other aspects of life support, and most importantly, the road often becomes an insurmountable obstacle. The most acceptable option in such cases is remote work. A lot of opportunities are offered on the Internet, but this requires certain knowledge. Where can one get it?
Representatives of the Vitebsk City Employment Center recommended seeking help from them. They assured that each specific case would be considered individually. To be registered, a medical report is required, according to which it is decided who and where to send. For citizens registered as unemployed, training is provided at the expense of the social protection fund. You can also get assistance in organizing entrepreneurial activities in the amount of 11 living wage budgets (12.4 million rubles). And this is good support from the state.
During the discussion of this issue, it was noted that despite certain benefits for enterprises when hiring disabled people, employers are not very willing to offer such vacancies.
Konstantin Lamchanovsky, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Belarusian Association of the Visually Impaired, noted:
— I have been involved in adapting this category of citizens to employment for about 15 years. If the opportunities of the state employment and financing program are used correctly, almost any job can be created. I have such experience. For example, a few years ago, we hired a wheelchair user for product marking. We found the appropriate equipment and adapted the conveyor. It was not cheap. Nevertheless, the created workplace is still in use today. Another important point is that the person themselves must have the desire to work. Over the past three years, we have adapted six people with disabilities. Of these, only two clearly expressed a desire to find employment. One became a programmer in the court of the Zheleznodorozhny district of Vitebsk, the second is engaged in window sales. The problem is generally solvable. But mandatory job reservation for this category of citizens is necessary. Employers must have certain attitudes towards hiring people with disabilities. As a proposal: if you hire them, you get benefits; if you don't hire them, you pay a tax. And here we cannot do without state support. We can only help in selecting a list of professions, taking into account the recommendations of the MREK. Speaking of home-based work, the situation today is quite difficult. Previously, it was possible to have, for example, a visually impaired person assemble a fork or a light bulb socket. Now many operations are automated.
Mikhail Korolyun, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Public Association "Belarusian Association of the Disabled," also shared his impressions:
— We also had unsuccessful attempts to organize workplaces. Most of the managers who intended to participate were interested in benefits. There were cases when people with disabilities were only on paper, and they themselves remained idle. Entrepreneurs are not even going to take on such responsibility. They motivate this by saying that they will not achieve the profitability they expect. So, without specific government decisions, the matter will not move forward.
Undoubtedly, to be eligible for a vacancy, one must possess certain knowledge and skills. At one time, Andrey Tsibulsky completed courses in computer operator training, computer graphics, and design at a rehabilitation center in Minsk. He believes they have been very useful in his life, but they are unlikely to be sufficient for professional-level work. Technologies are developing rapidly. Moreover, today there are enough IT specialists with higher education trained in our universities. The young man suggested analyzing the labor market to find out which specialties are in demand and which ones people with disabilities can master.
By the way, one can acquire computer literacy at the Vitebsk State Technological College of Light Industry. Since 2003, a center for professional and social rehabilitation of children with disabilities has been operating here. Persons with psychophysical developmental disabilities are also admitted. Since 2007, distance learning has been organized for the specialty “Computer Operation” with the qualification “Computer Operator of 4th-5th category”. In the next academic year, the program will include specialties such as computer graphics operator, manicure and pedicure master, accountant, and secretary. The option of training shoe repair workers is also being considered here. The main requirement for admission to study is a conclusion from the MREK (Medical Expert Commission for Disability and Rehabilitation) on professional suitability.
One should not discount distance education either. It not only provides an opportunity to form and realize oneself as a person but also helps to avoid many problems.
Participants of the "round table" suggested focusing on various areas of activity. One of them is the dispatch service. In the West, people with disabilities have long been involved in this field. There are examples of employment in the precious metals processing industry. The majority of those present agreed that the craft direction with an artistic bias should be developed. For example, leather products are currently in demand. The same mobile phone cases, belts, and grips are popular and can bring real income. But this art also needs to be learned somewhere. There are disabled artists whose paintings are worthy of admiration. But the authors do not know how and where they can be promoted. They need help in organizing exhibitions and presenting their works.
Nina Lukyanova, Executive Director of the Regional Association of Employers and Entrepreneurs, expressed her opinion on this matter:
— We are ready to provide assistance from our side. Currently, we are developing a trilingual internet portal with our Latvian colleagues, where artisans can post information about their products. A seminar on this topic will be held during the "Slavianski Bazaar". We will also provide free consultations to those who wish to realize themselves in private business.
Proposals were also received from those present at the meeting to organize a permanent exhibition of creative works by people with disabilities. By the end of May, it was decided to compile lists of who can do what and what they want to learn. Several facilities were proposed for the realization of creative products. Among them are the "Olga" and "Fest" salon-shops, as well as the use of the Internet.
— The problems of people with disabilities are not only medical but also social in nature. Today, 8,882 Group I disabled individuals reside in the regional center, — stated Galina Astapenko, Deputy Chief Physician of the Vitebsk Central Polyclinic. — Their number is growing every year. They are trying to integrate into society, but for now, the attitude towards such people as equals is a prospect. And here there are many questions not only regarding vocational and medical rehabilitation but also regarding the creation of a barrier-free environment. No matter how much we talk about it, the problems still remain.
Yes, reconstructed buildings and newly constructed residential buildings are planned to be equipped according to all rules ensuring free access for disabled individuals. Disabled individuals must be present in the commissions for housing acceptance. Last year, 6 houses in Vitebsk were accepted in this manner. Representatives of the interests of this category of citizens are also present in the commissions of 16 districts of the region. It was noted that their participation in housing construction should begin at the design stage. Curbs, public transport stops, incorrectly installed or absent ramps still remain problematic. Currently, the regional clinical hospital, the therapeutic building of the emergency hospital are subject to repair considering these nuances, and the 1st city hospital is being prepared for reconstruction. The possibility of opening an early rehabilitation department at this medical institution is being considered. Its initial stage is especially important for those who have found themselves in a difficult life situation. Similar changes are planned in Vitebsk Polyclinic No. 6, Maternity Hospital No. 2, and Yanovichi Hospital.
It would seem to be an elementary thing for an ordinary person – to get to a medical institution. For people with disabilities, this is a real problem. They are willing to pay, but to whom? In Vitebsk, a vehicle with a lift, adapted for transporting wheelchair users, has been purchased by an individual entrepreneur. But it is the only one here so far and is unlikely to solve the problem. There are only 4 such vehicles in the region.
Informing people of this category about their rights is also of great importance. The branch of the Peace Fund of the Zheleznodorozhny district of Vitebsk has done serious work in this direction, preparing a brochure with various information.
The organizers hope that the “round table” meeting will yield results. Specific decisions and their implementation deadlines are currently being coordinated with structures capable of helping people with disabilities make their lives more comfortable.