A group of persons with locomotor disabilities tested the accessibility of the Parliament Building. The visitors, some of which in wheelchairs, easily reached the assembly hall of the legislature, being helped to climb the stairs by the most modern mechanism that ensures access for persons with disabilities. In the assembly hall, the visitors met with MP Valentina Buliga, whom they told about their wish to see improved wheelchair access in public buildings, IPN reports.
The visitors said they are ready to work as part of a commission that would determine the accessibility of public instructions and would make recommendations. Among the discussed subjects was the shortage of equipment and wheelchairs at the National Experimental Center of Prosthesis, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation. Those who apply for wheelchairs are put on a long waiting list and can wait for a year or two.
In this connection, Valentina Buliga promised that when the 2017 state budget law is debated, she will make sure that financing is earmarked for this Center so as to purchase at least 100 wheelchairs in 2017. So far the state never allocated money to the Center for the purpose and what the people received where actually dominations from foreign partners.
The MP noted she will look for a suitable platform for creating an assessment team and this could start work by the end of next March already. She also said that the legislation on the rights of persons with disabilities in Moldova is one of the best in the world, but this is not fully implemented owing to the lack of funds.
Igor Meriacre, executive director of the Association “Motivatie”, which set the goal of improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities and increasing the level of social inclusion among these, said the persons with locomotor disabilities have access to the Parliament Building, but other public institutions remain partially or fully inaccessible. There are also shortcomings concerning the accessibility of persons with visual impairments, including in the Parliament Building.
As regards accessibility in general, in the capital city, for example, Igor Meriacre said the taken steps are insufficient and not always appropriate. For instance, the ramps made while repairing sidewalks are very steep and nothing is done to help the visually-impaired persons who, owing to the lack of indicators at crosswalks, risk finding themselves in the middle of the roadway.
The executive director of “Motivatie” also said that the people are receptive and tend to help their mates with disabilities when these need assistance. However, owing to the lack of knowledge or abilities, they can overturn the wheelchair when trying to mount the sidewalk and effort should be probably made to disseminate information in this regard.
