Uzbekistan to expand support measures for persons with disabilities

In order to strengthen the guarantees of human rights, including the rights of persons with disabilities, a presidential decree “On additional measures to improve the system of support for persons with disabilities” was adopted, which provides for:

Provision of needy persons with disabilities with medical products and technical means of rehabilitation

Needy persons with disabilities will be provided with modern prosthetic and orthopedic products, as well as modernizing the equipment of institutions for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.

According to the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, it is planned to increase the level of provision with these products and means of rehabilitation free of charge to 60%.

The relevant departments were also instructed to provide persons with group I disabilities with hip prostheses, lower leg prostheses and leg orthopedic devices free of charge.

At the same time, from September 1, the request for a medical opinion will be canceled when providing persons with disabilities with prosthetic and orthopedic products and technical means of rehabilitation.

Benefits for persons with disabilities and citizens caring for them

Persons with disabilities of groups I and II, children with disabilities, as well as one person who takes care of them (accompanying on the road) is granted a benefit for extraordinary use of services provided with the personal presence of citizens in state institutions and organizations, including public service centers, healthcare institutions, education and culture, as well as for extraordinary reception by the heads of state bodies.

From May 1, in order to care for a child with a disability who is being treated in a medical institution, his father or mother or another family member who directly cares for the child, conditions will be created for being with a child with a disability, in particular:

• a certificate of incapacity for work will be issued;
• free meals will be provided during the period of treatment in state hospitals.

Creating conditions for persons with disabilities in the educational process

From the 2023/2024 academic year, it has been instructed to ensure the preparation of materials on the admission procedure and tests to provide information to applicants in formats accessible to persons with disabilities, in particular, videos with sign language translation or subtitles.

It was also instructed to take measures to create conditions for the stay of a family member or other persons with a person with a disability in a higher educational institution to assist in the educational process.

In addition, from the 2023/2024 academic year, admission to the master’s program “Special Pedagogy, Defectology” of state universities will be carried out entirely on the basis of a state grant.

At the same time, training is carried out within the framework of the general admission parameters for the state grant allocated for the master’s program of state universities.

Improving the legal aid system

In order to assist persons with disabilities in obtaining voluntary free assistance in the information system “Legal Assistance”, a section of appeals from persons with disabilities is being created, available for use by advocacy groups and lawyers. Wherein:

• appeals of persons with disabilities regarding the receipt of voluntary free legal assistance are entered into the information system “Legal Assistance” and brought to the attention of advocacy groups and lawyers for the provision of voluntary assistance;
• a technical possibility is being created for sending a proposal for the provision of voluntary free legal assistance by lawyers' associations and lawyers who have expressed a desire to provide such assistance;
• provision by bar associations and lawyers of a report on the voluntary free legal aid provided by them is not required.