Beglaryan: lack of jobs and technical means hamper integration of Nagorno-Karabakh disabled people into society

The problems of free movement and employment are the main obstacles for integration of Nagorno-Karabakh invalids into the society: people with disabilities cannot find jobs, while streets and buildings are not provided with technical appliances for their easy movement, says Artak Beglaryan, an assistant to the Premier of Nagorno-Karabakh and a Category I invalid himself.

According to the 25-year-old Artak Beglaryan, who got blind in childhood as a result of mine explosion, "in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) it is difficult to find a job for an invalid, as there are moods in the society that disabled persons are unable to work; therefore, they should sit at home and receive their pensions."

As to the ability of invalids to travel, he said that "in urban planning, in most cases, they fail to address the needs of persons with disabilities."

According to Samvel Israelyan, the head of the division for social help of the Ministry of Social Welfare of Nagorno-Karabakh, "for several years, the Ministry has been implementing a variety of social programmes aimed to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their maximum integration into the society."

He said that on the occasion of the International Day of Disabled Persons, marked on December 3, the Ministry provided public organizations of invalids with some office and digital equipment within the state programme of ensuring equal rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities and their integration into the society.