Government Alerts on Social Assistance for Disabled Individuals
Celebrate International Day of Disabled Persons on May 5th, reminding ourselves of the support measures in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), as stated by the Ministry of Justice. Let's dive into the key social benefits for disabled individuals in this vast region:
Transportation: Disabled residents and their companions (for Group I individuals) can enjoy free transportation to and from rehabilitation centers once every two years. Children with disabilities and their travel companions can travel for free to these centers according to their respective programs. Disabled students studying in special educational institutions can take advantage of free transportation once a year to their place of study.
Technical Aids for Rehabilitation: The government provides additional technical aids for disabled individuals, as per a specified list. For example, Group I individuals may receive computers, while visually impaired individuals might be provided with shower chairs.
Medical Care, Social Services, and Pension Supplement: Priority medical care is given to children with disabilities, while visually impaired individuals receive social services, technical aids, and communication devices that aren't on the federal list. A monthly pension supplement of 1,700 rubles is provided to visually impaired individuals, with subsequent indexing.
Free Legal Aid: Disabled individuals, children with disabilities, elderly citizens, and those residing in social care organizations can receive free legal aid.
Guardianship: Elderly citizens or individuals with disabilities requiring social services, or their legal representatives, may apply to arrange a guardianship.
Pharmaceutical Benefits: Individuals with I-group disabilities, non-working individuals with II-group disabilities, and children with disabilities under 18 living in Yakutia can reap benefits when purchasing pharmaceuticals.
Housing and Communal Services: Totally blind individuals with disabilities are entitled to a 50% compensation of expenses for communal services, while their family members receive 100%. This covers water, electricity, sewage disposal, fuel, and transportation services.
Education: Education for those with long-term health issues may take place in sanatoriums or medical facilities, with accessible and free secondary vocational education guaranteed. Students with disabilities studying in relevant programs can travel free of charge once a year to their educational institutions.
Employment: Regional initiatives are in place to support the employment of individuals with disabilities, including quotas for hiring, reserved jobs, enterprise support, adaptive working conditions, entrepreneurial activity, vocational training, accompanied work activity, and employment assistance.
As we explore the peculiarities of Yakutia, it's worth considering unique challenges such as harsh weather conditions that necessitate winterized transport or subsidized air travel for medical purposes, as well as specific adaptations to the region's mining/agricultural sectors when it comes to providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
- In Yakutsk, the stationery shops offer a variety of adaptive tools for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they have the necessary equipment for optimal learning and work efficiency.
- The health-and-wellness sector in Yakutia provides mental health services free of charge to all individuals with disabilities, offering support for their psychological well-being.
- During the cold Yakutian winters, privately-owned vehicles used for transporting disabled residents and their companions are eligible for subsidies, making travel safer and more accessible.
- To address the unique needs of disabled individuals in Yakutia's mining and agricultural sectors, specific training programs and modifications are being developed to create inclusive job opportunities and enhance their productivity.
