More than 4.9 thousand objects adapted for persons with disabilities in Kazakhstan in 2023
In order to ensure the legal rights of persons with disabilities and create an accessible environment for them, in 2023, local executive bodies took measures to adapt 4,926 social infrastructure facilities. In total, over the past three years, more than 13.8 thousand objects have been adapted in Kazakhstan.
Currently, Kazakhstan is implementing 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 on behalf of the Head of State.
The project has identified more than 35 thousand priority objects for adaptation across the country, listed on the Interactive Accessibility Map website. In 2021-2022, more than 8 thousand objects were adapted. Starting from 2023 to 2027, at least 5 thousand objects must be adapted annually (27 thousand over 5 years). At the end of 2023, taking into account 2021-2022, 13,857 objects were adapted.
Of the 5,416 objects planned for adaptation in 2023, local executive bodies carried out adaptation measures at 4,926 objects, which is 91% of the planned volume.
Positive work is noted on the complete, one hundred percent implementation of the adaptation plan for 2023 in Akmola, Aktobe, Almaty, Zhambyl, Zhetysu, West Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Kostanay, Kyzylorda, and Turkestan regions. More than 90% of the plan was implemented in the city of Almaty. Weak work on adaptation of objects, where less than 90% of the plan has been adapted, is noted in the cities of Astana, Shymkent, Atyrau, Abay, East Kazakhstan, Mangistau, Pavlodar, Ulytau, and North Kazakhstan regions.
Thus, across the country the following are available for all categories of persons with disabilities:
– educational facilities – 5847 (schools, kindergartens, etc.);
– healthcare facilities – 2160 (hospitals, clinics, outpatient clinics, etc.)
– cultural objects – 1433 (cultural houses, theaters, etc.);
– institutions and organizations (including government) – 2695 (local executive bodies, territorial divisions of central bodies, government branches for citizens, etc.);
– objects of trade, services, entertainment, public catering – 1165 (shops, shopping centers, cafes, restaurants, etc.).
– social protection facilities – 178 (centers for the provision of special social services, rehabilitation centers, etc.);
– sports facilities – 289 (gyms, sports palaces, etc.);
– transport infrastructure facilities – 90 (bus/train stations, airports).
Persons with disabilities in the regions note positive dynamics in the implementation of adaptation measures of social infrastructure facilities.
“I am a member of the regional monitoring group for the adaptation of objects at the branch of the Amanat party. When the working group visited social infrastructure facilities, namely the railway station, bus station, branch of the People’s Bank, public service center and other facilities, I noticed positive changes in terms of providing access for all categories of citizens. The facilities are adapted for wheelchair users, for visually impaired and hearing impaired citizens, and for people with limited mobility. The entrance areas have been completely reconstructed, the parameters of the ramps comply with the standards, elevators have been installed at the railway station for easy access to the platform, and bathrooms have been installed at all facilities,” said a disabled person of the first group, adviser to the akim of the North Kazakhstan region on issues of persons with disabilities, Vladimir Erman.
At the same time, as part of state control, the territorial departments of the Committee of Labor and Social Protection carried out 1,783 inspections across the country in 2023 (880 – preventive control, 903 – unscheduled) of social infrastructure facilities in the areas of public administration, healthcare, social protection, culture, etc. Based on the results of the inspections, 1,171 orders were issued to eliminate the identified violations, and 467 administrative fines were imposed in the amount of 98.4 million tenge.
It must be emphasized that when carrying out preventive control, property owners, upon initial detection of violations, are issued only orders to eliminate them without bringing them to administrative responsibility. In case of failure to comply with the order within the established time frame, a fine is imposed under Art. 462 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan.