Yerevan Mayor Hrachya Sargsyan and the representatives of NGOs engaged in primary problems of disabled people met at the round table. They discussed various problems including adaptation of entrances and transport for people with disabilities.
Every year the city implements several programs aimed at making the environment more convenient for people with movement disabilities.
Referring to the problems existing in the sphere of transport and relevant reforms, the Mayor outlined that the city authorities had purchased additional transport fleet including trolleybuses and buses which have wheelchair access so more people can make use of public transport. However, there is another problem hindering people in wheelchairs to make proper use of transport. Frequently, the buses with wheelchair ramps don’t stop properly to make it possible for disabled people the get on. That’s why the authorities intend to have a new management centre.
Concerning the problem of adjustment of new public and residential buildings, the Mayor said that today the community keeps the process at focus. Construction of wheelchair ramps is obligatory in urban development projects.
Besides, new elevators are provided with Braille signage buttons and are wide enough for wheelchairs, special ramps are constructed at entrances and many other social, healthcare, educational and sport programs are carried out by the authorities.
According to the head of the Department of Children and Social Protection of Yerevan Municipality Lusine Hovhannisyan, in 2022, the activities were carried out in various directions, particularly to solve the problem of professional education and employment of people with disabilities. The city set a task to have an inclusive city comfortable for everyone.
As Hrachya Sargsyan said, the problems are impossible to solve all at once. However, little by little and with steady consistency the desirable results will be achieved.