Chișinău City makes small progress in ensuring the access of persons with disabilities. Within the campaign “Chișinău accessible to everyone” that was launched last year and was carried out by the Center for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the streets started to be adjusted by lowering the curbs. There was installed tactile paving and adjusted some of the public institutions by building ramps. However, the participants in a roundtable meeting that centered on the results of the project said a commission and a consultative body should be set up at the Chisinau City Hall to optimize the process of making the city more accessible, IPN reports.

Ion Cibotărică, director for advocacy programs and public policies for persons with disabilities at the Center for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, said the curbs on the streets that are under reconstruction, including V. Alecsandri St, were lowered. The project also envisions the placing of sonorous stoplights and tactile paving on Ștefan cel Mare Blvd and the streets that are yet to be repaired. A sum of 3 million lei was earmarked for the purpose in the municipal budget. It is also suggested installing ramps in the main parks of the capital city in the course of this year and making the public initiations – ten health facilities and 14 schools – accessible by installing tamps and elevators.

Jessica Doonan, Chief of Staff for the Boston City Hall’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities, shared the experience of the commission she represents. She said such a commission can contribute to systemic changes, the commission members being near other departments of the City Hall with whom they can cooperate.

Lawyer Ion Schidu said the associations for human rights and the City Hall have a lot to do to ensure the accessibly of persons with special needs. The fact that the Chișinău City Hall expressed its readiness to create a mechanism similar to that existing in Boston is an advantage.

The subject of creating a mechanism at the Chișinău City that would represent the interests of the persons with disabilities is to be discussed in a workshop on September 12. This will involve representatives of the City Hall.