At a press conference at the Central Communications Service under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Vice Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askarbek Yertayev spoke about the main approaches to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities provided for in the draft Concept of Inclusive Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2030.
At the beginning of his speech, the Vice Minister said that today more than 732 thousand people with disabilities (hereinafter referred to as LSI) live in the country, of which 15% of the child population (under 18 years old) account for, and 85% of those over 18 years old.
Every year, the costs of supporting LSI account for about 11% of the budget expenditures on social assistance and social security. Thus, 624.1 billion tenge was allocated from the state budget for the payment of social benefits for disability in 2024 (522.1 billion tenge in 2023).
At the same time, a three-level system of social support for LSI has been formed in the republic, which includes: state social benefits for disability; social payments from the State Social Insurance Fund if the employer paid social contributions to the State Social Insurance Fund for the injured employee; payments from an insurance organization if disability is associated with an occupational injury or occupational disease and a contract was concluded for the injured employee compulsory accident insurance.
"As part of the implementation of the Social Code, the modernization of the social services system (hereinafter referred to as SSS) for persons with disabilities has begun in the country. 3 rehabilitation centers in Semey, Taraz and Kentau with 150 beds have been put into operation. Day care centers for children with autism spectrum disorder and other mental disorders have been opened in 6 regions of the country (Shymkent, Pavlodar, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Taldykorgan, Taraz and Kostanay).
In addition, the standards for providing LSI with diapers have been increased, single-use lubricated catheters for LSI diagnosed with bifid Spin have been introduced, sanatorium treatment is provided to children with disabilities with mental disorders," Askarbek Yertaev added.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter – the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan), on behalf of the Head of State, taking into account the proposals of public associations, international experience and recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, has developed a draft Concept of inclusive Policy until 2030. The main innovation of the document is the creation of conditions for the transition from a medical and social to a social and human rights model of disability.
New approaches to the implementation of an inclusive policy provide for the adoption of a set of effective measures aimed at realizing the rights, expanding the opportunities of LSI, and creating the necessary conditions for their full-fledged social integration into society.
The draft Concept provides for 13 areas of further work, such as: equality and non-discrimination, legal protection and access to justice, an adequate standard of living and social protection, an inclusive labor market and an industrial environment, inclusive education, a barrier-free environment and accessibility of services, and others.
The Vice Minister spoke in detail about the main directions.
Thus, in order to ensure equality and non-discrimination, it is envisaged to conduct an analysis of national legislation in order to identify and eliminate discriminatory rights in relation to LSI. As a result, a draft law will be developed ensuring equality and non-discrimination in relation to LSI, including bringing the current concepts of "disability", "child disability" and others in line with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a new social and human rights model.
"The expansion of legal protection of LSI will be ensured through the adoption of effective legislative and regulatory acts, with the introduction of monitoring and control mechanisms.
Proposals will be developed for migrant children with disabilities and refugee children with disabilities whose parents do not have a residence permit, to receive social protection measures, medical care, and inclusive education.
The participation of inclusive specialists (sign language interpreters, individual assistants) in the proceedings will significantly expand the possibilities of LSI.
In order to improve the conditions of detention of LSI staying in penitentiary institutions, the infrastructure will undergo a phased reconstruction.
It is planned to expand the powers of domestic human rights institutions – institutions of human rights commissioners and socially vulnerable categories of the population," Askarbek Yertayev said.
In order to ensure an adequate standard of living and social protection, the Ministry of Health is constantly working to assess the need of citizens for support measures through a Digital Family Card.
In addition, a phased transformation of medical and social expertise is underway. It is planned to ensure the transition to a proactive correspondence format for its implementation in individual nosologies.
In order to expand scientific and practical support for the development of the field of habilitation and rehabilitation, the transformation of the National Scientific Center for the Development of the sphere of Social Protection is being carried out.
"The increase in the effectiveness of rehabilitation measures will be ensured through the widespread use of digital technologies. Achieving a positive effect will be possible as a result of the introduction of a digital rehabilitation diary and remote rehabilitation technology.
A special examination will be introduced to determine the degree of wear and tear of technical rehabilitation equipment (hereinafter referred to as TSR) and timely replacement of obsolete equipment.
The issue of transferring TSR to temporary and gratuitous use is being considered to ensure the continuity of rehabilitation processes," the Vice Minister informed.
It is envisaged to expand the network of small-capacity houses based on a universal design for inclusive living, as an alternative to the existing network of special social services centers in a hospital setting.
The improvement of the quality of the provided SSS will be possible due to the introduction of new professional standards for social workers.
Starting from 2025, a Register of social workers and a system of their mandatory certification, licensing of organizations providing social services will be introduced.
"As part of the development of measures for the employment of LSI, the regulatory legal framework for the regulation, observance and protection of the labor rights of persons with disabilities will be revised.
In order to increase the social responsibility of business and stimulate employers to ensure the employment of LSI, it is envisaged to introduce a compensation payment mechanism to the budget by employers who do not fulfill the quota for the employment of persons with disabilities," Askarbek Yertayev said.
The draft Concept provides for the improvement of the special education system, as well as a set of measures aimed at ensuring inclusion at all levels of education. The planned measures to ensure equal access to education will include the creation of early psychological and pedagogical support services at special educational institutions for children with disabilities.
"The introduction of national standards regulating the accessibility of infrastructure and services to the public is the basis for updating the work on creating a barrier-free environment by central state and local executive bodies, organizations providing services to the public.
State and public control will increase, within the framework of which inspections of objects of all forms of ownership for the availability of services for LSI will become mandatory and regular.
It is envisaged that local executive bodies will be assigned competence to oversee the inclusiveness of project documentation, including accessibility of facilities for low–mobility groups of the population, including people with disabilities," the Vice Minister said.
In addition, standards and legal norms will be introduced to guarantee the protection of the rights and safety of LSI in emergency situations, including: notification approaches based on available formats and tools; a risk forecasting mechanism to reduce vulnerability in emergency situations and natural disasters; emergency response algorithms.
A system of training in safe behavior in emergency situations for people with disabilities and their family members will be created.
One of the key tasks in the field of cultural, sports and tourism infrastructure development will be to increase the number of facilities and services available to LSI.
At the end of his speech, Askarbek Yertayev stressed that the adoption of the Concept of Inclusive Policy in the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2030 contributes to: improving national legislation; increasing the level of inclusiveness of the labor market, the quality of medical services, inclusive education, the involvement of persons with disabilities in political and public life; creating a barrier-free environment, an algorithm of actions that ensure safety and necessary assistance to citizens with limited mobility and persons with disabilities in emergency situations, etc.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/enbek/press/news/details/874700