A two-day conference entitled “Daily Routine of Disabled People in the Republic of Armenia and Problems of Raising their Living Standards” kicked off at the Armenian State
Pedagogical University on December 5.
The conference initiated by the Chair of Sociology and Social Work, Faculty of Education Psychology and Sociology, aims to raise the problems and concerns of the disabled people in Armenia within the framework of events marking the 20th anniversary of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
In their reports, the participants of the conference focused on the problem of socialization of children with limited abilities and the problem of integration observed among mentally disabled children and young people. They also dwelt on the characteristics of the pedagogical work, the difficulties encountered during the work with families parenting children with special needs and other issues.
Specialists are unanimous that people with limited abilities do not enjoy equal rights and opportunities. Only non-governmental organizations are concerned about problems of the disabled, with the state playing minimal role in the issue.
Speaking about the problems of the disabled, Head of the Chair of Sociology and Social Work, Doctor of Science, Professor Yuri Gasparyan stressed the importance of social entrepreneurship activity aimed at enhancing the standards of living for people with limited abilities. “Charity foundations were set up in the USA in the 1940s and 1950s that involved [in their activities] people with limited abilities.
I regret to say that entrepreneurs in Armenia only think about profits and completely forget about humanity. We have a big army of entrepreneurs, NGOs and specialists as well as all prerequisites for the introduction and spread of social entrepreneurship,” he said.
Arpine Abrahamyan, Chairperson of the “Salvation” charitable NGO for disabled children and young people, spoke about the lack of inclusive kindergartens, day-care centers and facilities, additional documentation at the call-up age and the problem of improper labeling.
Speaking about the integration problems faced by mentally disabled children and young people in Armenia, she said that
people with mental problems are wrongly classified by medical expert committees. They are labeled and registered as people with mental and behavioral disorders, thereby restricting their working abilities and depriving them of an opportunity to look for a job.
Arpine Abrahamyan calls on everyone to assist in the integration of disabled children and young people with the help of different educational and socio-cultural programs.
“When speaking about disability people in Armenia immediately imagine people with physical problems, forgetting about people with mental problems. Everything is replicated in Armenia; reforms in the sphere are implemented in a twinkling. To overcome the psychological barrier and to find solutions we still have a long way to pass: we should inform the public and carry out large-scale work,” she said.
The conference will continue on December 6.
