A city guide for wheelchair users is planned to be developed and published in Novopolotsk
This idea was borrowed from the German city of Friedrichshafen, said Svetlana Tishkevich, director of the Novopolotsk Territorial Center for Social Services for the Population (TSSON).
On August 25, the Novopolotsk TSSON was visited by a member of the management of the German society "Faternitet" ("Brotherhood"), a wheelchair user from the city of Friedrichshafen, Richard Reiter. He not only familiarized himself with the Belarusian experience of work but also proposed his projects for creating a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities.
"We were particularly interested in a city guide that lists cafes, shops, cultural and other establishments, and entire routes where a barrier-free environment has been created for wheelchair users. Such a guide is also relevant for our city, as it will be in demand not only among this category of local residents but also among guests with disabilities. It is also useful for mothers with strollers and other people with mobility difficulties," noted Svetlana Tishkevich.
She added that the guide will be developed by TSSON specialists together with representatives of the Republican Association of Wheelchair Users, as well as local authorities.
Also, during the meeting, the German guest noted the largely similar approaches in organizing the work of day care centers for people with disabilities in his hometown and Novopolotsk.
Richard Reiter visited the Republic of Belarus for the first time in 2006. He closely cooperates with the Novopolotsk city organization of the public association "Belarusian Association of Disabled People." He is called the "most valuable" resident of Friedrichshafen: at Richard Reiter's request, public places for wheelchair users (cafes, theaters, parking lots, sports complexes) were re-equipped.
Ekaterina Knyazeva, BELTA.