In a stride towards ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities, Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, saw the full adaptation of 684 social infrastructure facilities in the year 2023, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population reported.
The endeavor, aimed at safeguarding the legal rights of individuals with disabilities and fostering an environment conducive to their needs, aligns with several national initiatives. These include the National Plan to ensure the rights and improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2025, the Road Map of the Amanat party for 2023-2027, and the Halykpen Birge project developed under the auspices of the Kazakh president.
Identified under the ambit of the Halykpen Birge project, more than 35,000 priority objects across the country have been earmarked for adaptation, as listed on the Interactive Accessibility Map website. Building upon the groundwork laid in 2021-2022, during which over 8,000 objects were adapted, the mandate requires a sustained effort with a target of adapting at least 5,000 objects annually from 2023 to 2027, totaling 27,000 over five years. At the end of 2023, inclusive of efforts in the preceding years, a total of 13,857 objects had been successfully adapted.
In Almaty alone, out of the 721 objects for adaptation, local executive bodies ensured comprehensive adaptation across various sectors, including educational facilities (301), healthcare facilities (233), government institutions (59), cultural objects (16), sports facilities (4), social protection facilities (10), and service sector facilities (61).
Reflecting on the tangible impact of these adaptations, Ulan Inkarbekov, a disabled person in the first group, expressed his satisfaction, noting the improved accessibility of healthcare facilities and commercial establishments.
"In general, conditions for people with disabilities are being improved throughout the city and the necessary amenities are being created," Ulan Inkarbekov remarked.
In parallel with adaptation efforts, stringent state control measures were implemented in 2023 by the territorial department of the Committee of Labor and Social Protection of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty. A total of 112 inspections were conducted across social infrastructure facilities, encompassing public administration, healthcare, social protection, and culture. Of these, 43 were unscheduled inspections, 58 were part of preventive control measures, and 11 were carried out at the behest of the prosecutor’s office. Subsequent to these inspections, 97 orders were issued for the rectification of identified violations, accompanied by the imposition of 17 administrative fines totaling over KZT 10mn ($22,212).
It's noteworthy that preventive control measures primarily entail issuing orders for rectification without resorting to administrative penalties upon initial violation detection. However, failure to comply within stipulated timeframes warrants punitive action.
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