The promises of Latvian ministries on making the environment more accessible for disabled people are too wide and abstract, they lack specifics and no real changes are felt. Such an opinion was voiced by Disabled People and Friends Association Apeirons board chairman Ivars Balodis at a meeting of Saeima’s Social and Employment Matters Committee on Wednesday, 2 February.
At this meeting representatives of ministries also provided their opinions on the problems for disabled people that were outlined thanks to Dod pieci! charity marathon.
An open letter composed during the marathon details that increase of accessibility requires implementation of different tasks to reduce obstacles for disabled people’s lives. For example, authors of the letter propose listing environmental accessibility in regulations, forming a special controlling institution, ensuring public and education institutions’ accessibility. Other proposals were voiced as well.
Director of Ministry of Economy’s Construction Policy Department Olga Feldmane agreed it would be necessary to reach out to environmental experts and pick a leading institutions to govern environmental regulations.
Feldmane believes it is notable to promote a sense of responsibility and adopt different penalties if environmental accessibility is not provided.
Ministry of Education and Science’s Education Department deputy director for general education Ilze Seipule promised to resolve the problems with education accessibility. The official added EU fund investments include plans for the improvement of the education environment’s accessibility. These funds provide for the development of early diagnosing, proactive support and provision of support to risk groups, as well as promotion of the quality of special education.
Ministry of Culture representative Valts Ernštreits believes it is necessary to continue last year’s programme, as part of which adaptation of cultural products for disabled people was done in close cooperation with the State Culture Capital Fund.
Culture Policy Department Director Baiba Mūrniece added that the proper management of cultural heritage requires the development of guidelines on how best to adapt cultural monuments for disabled people. «Cultural monuments exist for the people, not the other way around,» she added.
Ministry of Health invited using the interactive map available on its website for a list of all healthcare institutions adapted to the needs of disabled people.
To ensure municipal territories are accessible, the Ministry of Environment Protection and Regional Development will point attention of municipalities towards grants intended to finances improvement of environment accessibility.
Ministry of Justice representative Lelde Šlisere reported that by the end of 2022 or start of 2023 both Jelgava City Court and Zemgale District Court will have been fitted with lifts for disabled people. It is also planned to meet with experts of NGOs to develop guidelines for trials involving disabled people.
However, representatives of ministries failed to convince other participants of meetings that enough is being done to make the environment more accessible for disabled people. Ziedot.lv Social Assistance programme leader Baiba Drone agreed with Balodis’ scepticism, adding that it is necessary to divert more financial aid towards basic needs – wheelchairs, prosthetics, hearing aids, moveable ramps and other solutions to improve the quality of life for disabled people.
Sarma Freiberga, chairperson of Nāc līdzās! Foundation, believes
it is necessary to organise mandatory courses for public service employees to train them in better communicating and interacting with disabled people.
Disabled people unhappy with Latvian government’s promises to make environment more accessible
