On the social protection of persons with disabilities

The Vitebsk transport prosecutor's office conducted an inspection of compliance with the legislation on social protection of disabled persons at the facilities of UP "Vitebsk branch of the railway".

Ensuring the full participation of disabled persons in society is the main direction of state policy in the field of social protection of this vulnerable category of citizens, as follows from the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Social Protection of Disabled Persons in the Republic of Belarus".

In accordance with Art. 26 of the Law, operating objects of social infrastructure must be adapted for access and use by disabled persons.

However, during the inspection by the prosecutor's office of the Lettsy stopping point, it was found that the stairs leading to the ticket offices and the platform are not equipped with ramps and handrails. The existing pedestrian path, located along the railway tracks and used by wheelchair users, as well as other citizens, does not meet safety requirements, as it directly adjoins the railway track, which can lead to injury of citizens by rolling stock.

For reference: the mentioned stopping point is of particular interest to persons with limited physical abilities, as in the village of Malyye Lettsy (Lettsy stopping point) there is the "Lettsy" sanatorium, as well as the "Zheleznodorozhnik" sanatorium, one of the profiles of which is the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue.

The existing pedestrian bridge over the railway tracks of the station is equipped with lifting platforms powered by batteries. However, at the time of the inspection by the prosecutor's office on 05/06/2021, these devices were not working.

Based on the results of the raid inspections, a representation was made to the head of UP "Vitebsk branch of the Belarusian Railway", which demanded to bring the infrastructure facilities into proper condition for comfortable use by persons with disabilities.

The issue is under control.

 

Assistant Vitebsk

Transport Prosecutor

Snezhana Sazonova