In the Vitebsk region, 80% of planned facilities have been equipped with an accessible environment
"In the Vitebsk region, 89 facilities were planned to be equipped with an accessible environment in 2022, taking into account a comprehensive approach. Based on the results of 9 months, 80% of them are already ready. The remaining facilities, according to the assurances of all responsible departments, will be equipped by the end of the year. We also have facilities that cannot be equipped with an accessible environment considering a comprehensive approach. In these cases, we use all possibilities of state social orders. For example, together with the public association of people with disabilities of the Vitebsk region, we purchase tracked lifts for those buildings where people with disabilities live and which cannot be equipped with an accessible environment due to technical conditions. People with disabilities can use this service, which is provided by the territorial center together with public associations of people with disabilities," said Vera Astapenko.
In October 2019, a center for receiving and transmitting information from people with hearing impairments started operating in Vitebsk. By a decision of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, the center's operation was extended to the entire region. "A person with a hearing impairment can call this center around the clock, even on holidays, and receive all the necessary information. That is, a person with hearing problems can call the center and, using video communication and sign language, explain what they need. Then, the employee contacts the required service and undertakes to fulfill the request of the hearing-impaired person," explained the deputy chairperson.
In addition, under the "Accessible Environment" program, the acquisition of eight tablets for the polyclinics of Vitebsk, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, and Orsha is planned for this year. "With their help, people with hearing impairments who come to the doctor for an appointment will be able to contact the information reception and transmission center, because not everyone has a smartphone. A center employee will immediately contact the doctors and explain the reason for the visit of a patient with hearing impairment," concluded Vera Astapenko.
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