On May 29, 2024, a round table dedicated to the potential of people with disabilities was held at the Institute of Economics of NAS of Belarus

On May 29, 2024, a round table was held at the Institute of Economics of NAS of Belarus on the topic “Socio-demographic and economic potential of people with disabilities,” organized by the Center of Human Development and Demography.

The round table was moderated by the Head of the Center of Human Development and Demography of the Institute of Economics of NAS of Belarus, Anastasia BOBROVA, who noted that according to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion people around the world live with some type of disability. This represents about 15% of the total population of the planet. Among these people, approximately 110–190 million (2.2–3.8%) have significant difficulties in functioning requiring medical care or social support.

The number of people with disabilities continues to rise due to an increase in chronic diseases and an aging population. People with disabilities face physical, social, economic and cultural barriers. WHO and other international organizations work to improve the living conditions and rights of people with disabilities, and to promote their integration into society. The economic potential of people with disabilities is often underestimated, but can be significant with the right support and inclusion.

Deputy Director of the Institute of Economics of NAS of Belarus Andrei PILIUTIK delivered a welcoming speech.

He recalled that at the end of 2023, I.V. Petrishenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus approved the Action Plan for 2024 for the implementation of the National Action Plan for the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Republic of Belarus for 2017–2025. Within the framework of this Plan, a round table “Socio-demographic and economic potential of people with disabilities” was held. The Deputy Director noted that since 2017, a lot has been done to improve the accessibility of social and transport infrastructure and housing for people with disabilities. Much success has been achieved in the areas of healthcare, education and, most importantly, employment. Today, everyone is important and needed in the labor market. How productive it will be to involve people with disabilities in the economy depends on future social policy. By providing opportunities, we benefit in all respects, but above all from an economic point of view.

Andrei PILIUTIK proposed to discuss the prospects for such steps, as well as problematic issues, the solution of which will allow us to get closer to ensuring equal opportunities.

Among the round table participants were representatives of science, government officials, representatives of the media and public associations.

The reports of the round table participants concerned current issues of self-realization of people with disabilities, their socialization, education, employment, distance employment, etc. The discussion at the intersection of such sciences as economics, demography, sociology, and law made the work of the round table interesting and fruitful.

Natalya KLIMOVICH, consultant of the Employment Policy Department of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus, gave a report on “Protection of people with disabilities in the field of employment”.

The specialist familiarized those present with statistics on the employment of people with disabilities and the innovations that have been introduced to ensure mutually beneficial conditions for the employee and the employer. A lively discussion was sparked by the issues of job quotas for persons with disabilities, which will be introduced in 2025.

Proposals to expand the practice of remote work were also considered as employment opportunities.

Victoria RACHKEVICH, junior researcher at the Center of Human Development and Demography of the Institute of Economics of NAS of Belarus, gave a report on “Opportunities for remote employment for people with disabilities.”

Despite all the advantages of working from home, representatives of public organizations expressed concern about the problems of socializing people who need live communication.

Employment opportunities for persons with disabilities are closely related to and depend on accessibility to education.

Galina TELESH, consultant of the Department of Adaptation and Integration of Persons with Psychophysical Development of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, gave a comprehensive and interesting report “Receiving education by people with disabilities and special needs of psychophysical development”.

The specialist has demonstrated success in providing persons with disabilities with secondary and vocational education. At the same time, the discussion also touched upon problematic issues in ensuring inclusion in education.

In the second part of the work, speeches from representatives of public organizations were heard.

Alexander KLIMOVICH, Head of the Department of Organizational and Mass Work and Rehabilitation of the Central Board of the Public Association “Belarusian Society of the Deaf,” made a report “Problematic issues of employment and socialization of people with disabilities”.

The report focused on the problems of gaining access to the labor market due to bureaucracy. He also noted the risks for everyone, but for people with disabilities in particular. Among them, the first place is occupied by the development of high technologies that replace manual labor. Prospects for the development of an inclusive labor market can include support from employers to create and provide working conditions.

The range of problems and their possible solutions was expanded by Oleg KULCHI, Deputy Director of the Social Institution “Invacenter” of the Public Association “Belarusian Society of Disabled Persons”. The report “Problematic Issues of Employment and Socialization of People with Disabilities” revealed the potential of a society of 46 thousand people with disabilities. Many people are not afraid to start families and run businesses. At the same time, the majority face restrictions in the operation of public transport and insufficiently adapted social infrastructure.

The conclusion of the round table was dedicated to positive examples of people who managed to exceed even their expectations.

Natalya IGNATOVICH, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Labor, Employment and Social Protection of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee, made a report on the topic “Successful Experience of Socialization of People with Disabilities.”

A person of great soul, Natalya Gennadievna, is involved in the fate of many disabled children in the Minsk region. Before her eyes, children not only grow up, but also achieve success in various areas of life. The round table participants were able to see specific projects implemented by boarding school residents. One example of success is Alesya ALEKHNOVICH.

Alesya shared her experience as a disabled teenager and the distress that filled her life and the life of her mother at that time. Today Alesya ALEKHNOVICH is a successful presenter of RTR-Belarus, and most importantly, a happy and beautiful girl with multi-vector interests and plans for the future.

Olga GORLOVA, Associate Professor of the Vitebsk State Academy of Veterinary Medicine, presented her successful experience of working with children with developmental disabilities. During the report, a video was shown in which children adapt and become calmer through communication with animals. Animals help people with asthma, for example, to recover faster. Vitebsk colleagues shared their experience of implementing other initiatives to make the world of children more colorful.

The Center for Creative Solutions “Invisible World” was presented as a successful business project for people with disabilities, but more necessary for those who do not have it. The Head of the Center, Olga POLOSHOVETS, talked about the programs offered to develop empathy for the blind. The popularity of the project is growing, as is the number of offers for children and adults. According to the responses of visitors, the project allows you to walk in others shoes.

Thus, the reports of the round table participants concerned topical issues of self-realization of people with disabilities, their socialization, education, employment, distance employment, etc. The discussion at the intersection of economics, demography, sociology, and law made the work of the round table interesting and fruitful.