Disability

A man who is seeking government subsidies to buy a handicap accessible vehicle has been called to an interview to prove to a medical council he is with disability due to missing a leg.

The head of the Work Capability Assessment Commission in Lovech (central North Bulgaria). Donka Minkova, was arrested on 31st of January at a time she was receiving a bribe from an intermediary to help for issuing documents with false content. The intermediary was also detained. Some 13,000 BGN were found in him.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on 24th of January met with mothers of disabled children from a nationwide pro-reform initiative to discuss with them changes in the disability assessment system and measures against fraud against the pension insurance system, reports BNT. 

Social media has emerged as a new platform to give mothers with disabled children a place to talk, share experiences and find support. The online community offers people an opportunity to connect with others in similar situations.

We proceed with the law on social services, Minister of Labour and Social Policy Biser Petkov told a briefing in Parliament after the adoption of the Personal Assistance Act, Focus News Agency reports.

MPs are expected to give "green light" to the changes related to people with disabilities that will come into force in stages, reported bTV. 

In January will begin the payment of the new monthly social benefits for children with special needs, that will also be paid to adults.
Their size will depend on the disability and the poverty line.

The Hacettepe Center for Vocational Rehabilitation in the capital Ankara, which trains individuals with disabilities to improve personal skills and practices that will enable them to find jobs, has so far provided trainings for 150 people with disabilities since its establishment two years ago.

On December 3rd we mark the International Day of People with Disabilities. Its purpose is to constantly motivate the institutions to take more effective action to ensure that people with disabilities have access to public spaces, education and work.

Private sector union GSEE has called a four-hour work stoppage on Monday in order to facilitate participation in a protest rally in downtown Athens marking International Day of Disabled Persons.

Members of associations representing disabled citizens in Attica gathered outside the Finance Ministry in Athens on Friday to demand exemptions from austerity measures imposed by successive governments under pressure from international creditors, as well as to boost awareness about the problems of people with disabilities and their families.