December 3 - International Day of Persons with Disabilities
According to a UN General Assembly resolution, December 3rd of each year is observed as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, aiming to draw public attention to the protection of the rights of people with disabilities.
Strengthening the social protection of people with disabilities, supporting their rehabilitation and integration into society play an important role in the successful social policy of President Ilham Aliyev, and consistent, goal-oriented work is being carried out in these areas.
People with disabilities receive pensions or monthly social allowances, as well as allowances for children with disabilities, by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population. Additionally, people disabled in the war, as well as those with disabilities due to fulfilling military service duties and other specific reasons, and individuals with 81-100% functional impairment (1st degree), receive a pension or allowance along with a monthly stipend from the President. Those who care for individuals with 81-100% functional impairment or those with disabilities under the age of 18 are also provided with the President’s monthly stipend.
As part of the ongoing social reforms, these social payments continue to grow. In 2018-2024, the minimum pension in the country has increased by 2,5 times, the average monthly pension by 2,4 times, and allowances and stipends by 5 times. The housing program for members of martyrs' families and people disabled in the war is being implemented. After the 44-day Patriotic War, which ended with our Historic Victory, this program has expanded fivefold. In the post-war period, 6300 apartments and individual houses have been provided to them, with a total of 16000 over the entire period. Additionally, 7770 cars have been provided to people disabled in the war.
The development of the creative potential of people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups is constantly prioritized. Initiated by First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, the DOST Center for Inclusive Development and Creativity, which opened in October 2021, is the largest inclusive creativity and development center in the South Caucasus and plays a vital role in this field. Nearly 600 individuals have been served by the center in the past period. Over 100 events have been organized there for the social integration of individuals from vulnerable groups. Beneficiaries, a significant part of whom are people with disabilities, participate in training sessions across various creative fields, and they also receive social, pedagogical, and psychological services in the Center. In November of the previous year, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening of “DOST HOUSE” branch of the DOST Center for Inclusive Development and Creativity in Ismayilli.
At the same time, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s social projects, Regional Information Centers have been established in three regions of the country to help people with disabilities access information through ICT tools and increase their knowledge.
In recent years, the rehabilitation infrastructure in our country has been built in line with modern requirements and its network has expanded, with the annual number of individuals receiving rehabilitation services increasing sevenfold. In cooperation with the World Health Organization, based on the feedback and suggestions of people with disabilities, changes have been made to legislation in 2020 and this year. As a result, the number of rehabilitation tools provided to people with disabilities from the state budget has increased nearly fourfold in the last four years, rising from 34 to 130.
In recent years, our country has also been providing cutting-edge high-tech prosthetics, and after the 44-day Patriotic War, 490 individuals disabled in the war have been equipped with 600 modern prostheses. Additionally, the employment and self-employment opportunities for people with disabilities are continually improved, and the Paralympic movement continues to grow every year.
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