In the Vitebsk region, 80% of the planned facilities have been equipped with accessible environment features, reported Vera Astapenko, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Labour, Employment and Social Protection of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.

"In the Vitebsk region, 89 facilities were planned to be equipped with an accessible environment, taking into account a comprehensive approach, for 2022. As of the end of 9 months, 80% of them are already ready. The remaining facilities, according to the assurances of all responsible departments, will be equipped by the end of the year. We also have facilities that cannot be equipped with an accessible environment considering a comprehensive approach. In these cases, we use all opportunities of state social procurement. For example, together with the public association of people with disabilities of the Vitebsk region, we purchase tracked stair climbers for buildings where people with disabilities live and which cannot be equipped with an accessible environment due to technical conditions. People with disabilities can use this service, provided by the territorial centre together with public associations of people with disabilities," Vera Astapenko explained.

In October 2019, a centre for receiving and transmitting information from people with hearing impairments started operating in Vitebsk. By a decision of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, the centre's operations were extended to the entire region. "A person with a hearing impairment can call this centre around the clock, even on holidays, and receive all the necessary information. This means a person with hearing problems can call the centre and, using video communication and sign language, explain what they need. Then, an employee contacts the relevant service and undertakes to fulfil the request of the hearing-impaired person," the Deputy Chairperson clarified.

In addition, under the "Accessible Environment" programme, the acquisition of eight tablets for the polyclinics of Vitebsk, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, and Orsha is planned for this year. "With their help, people with hearing impairments who come for a doctor's appointment will be able to contact the information reception and transmission centre, as not everyone has a smartphone. The centre's employee will immediately contact the doctors and explain the reason for the visit of the patient with hearing impairment," Vera Astapenko concluded.