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Summary of the study

SOCIAL BARRIERS TO INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN MOLDOVA

CHIINU, 2011

This study has been developed by the Center of Legal Assistance for Persons with Disabilities under the project "Agenda of change in the area of disabilities" and made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the Moldova Civil Society Strengthening Program (MCSSP), implemented by FHI 360. The contents are the responsibility of authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the United States Government or FHI 360.

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The aim of this study proceeds from the objective of the United Nations Convention on

the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, whereby the Republic of Moldova has assumed the

responsibility to ensure and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamental

freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of any kind on the basis of

disability. In this context, the study aims at identifying the barriers to social inclusion of persons

with disabilities in order to eliminate discrimination because of disability by any natural or legal

person (organization or commercial company).

In order to achieve the goal the following objectives have been developed:

- Identification of the barriers to social inclusion of persons with disabilities; - Evaluation of the observance of rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring of non-

discriminatory principles; - Study of the populations attitude towards persons with disabilities; - Evaluation by the population of social protection policies in the disability field; - Study of the level of integration of persons with disabilities into the labor market; - Analysis of the level of participation of persons with disabilities in community life.

Within the development of this study both quantitative and qualitative methods have been

used: 807 surveys, 6 focus groups and 17 face-to-face standardized interviews.

Data collection tools for the survey. A questionnaire with 30 questions, divided into the

following sections, has been drawn up: (I) problems of persons with disabilities, (II) the rights of

persons with disabilities, (III) populations attitude towards persons with disabilities, (IV) access

of persons with disabilities to education, (V) health and social protection, (VI) integration of

persons with disabilities into the labor market, (VII) participation of persons with disabilities in

community life.

Young people and members of non-governmental organizations who are working in the

field of promoting the rights of persons with disability have been also selected and trained as

operators. Questionnaires have been completed within November 01-30, 2010, at the

residence of respondents, by "face to face" dialogue.

Questionnaire sample covered 40 localities of the republic, divided into 4 development

regions: Northern Development Region, Southern Development Region, Central Development

Region and Chisinau municipality. Municipalities, towns and villages have been randomly

selected from each region. The sample included: 2 municipalities, 11 towns and 16 villages.

Number of questionnaires for each locality which was included in the sample was calculated

according to the number of population of the respective locality.

In order to select persons with disabilities, operators have selected in every locality

persons, included in the sample, according to the lists of persons with disabilities, provided by

community social workers. According to the lists, every fifth person has been randomly

selected, taking into account the share, depending on the degree of disability.

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The survey was conducted on a sample of 807 persons aged 18-55 years old. The sample

is composed of 53.2% persons without disabilities and 46.8% persons with disabilities.

Focus group. 6 focus groups were conducted: persons with disabilities participated in 3

focus groups, parents of children with disabilities participated in another 3 focus groups. 70

persons participated in focus groups. Of these, 19 were men and 51 women. Depending on the

environment, 60% of participants are from urban areas and 40% from rural areas.

Interview. 17 interviews were conducted with representatives of central and local public

administration of level I and level II, with representatives of non-governmental organizations

and international organizations.

Based on the results of the study, it is obvious that the Republic of Moldova needs a complex reform of the system of protection of persons with disabilities, because there are violations of all rights of persons with disabilities, regulated by that UN Convention. There is a need for the reform of the social protection, healthcare and education system, as well as of the system of involvement and participation in civic and cultural life and employment. In all reforms it is necessary to take into account the provisions of the Convention and to apply the disability paradigm shift from medical approach to the social one.

The study revealed a number of practical recommendations which are useful for overcoming the barriers to social inclusion of persons with disabilities. In the field of social policies it is recommended:

To develop an anti-discrimination, comprehensive and powerful legal framework, which would intervene in all stages and under all aspects of individual and social life that persons with disabilities need to go through, in the context of rights observance. New legislations should provide for concrete measures and deadlines to eliminate the barriers to inclusion both locally and nationally.

To include the field of disability and its approach in all legislations concerning education, employment, sexual and family life, access to information and culture, sports, travel and leisure etc., with the mention that persons with disabilities have free access to all existential components as well as the mention that any restriction constitutes a contravention and is sanctioned.

To increase social participation and equalize opportunities for persons with disabilities accompanied with encouragement and development of the change in the decision-making process. There is also a need for legislative coherence to harmonize all legal provisions, to ensure the possibility of integrated management of national and local policies in the field.

Acest studiu a fost efectuat n cadrul Programului Consolidarea Societii Civile n Moldova al Academiei pentru Dezvoltare Educaional din Republica Moldova (MCSSP) Proiectul Agenda Schimbrii n domeniul dizabilitii - finanat de Agenia pentru Dezvoltare Internaional (USAID).

Metodologia cercetrii i raportul de analiz au fost elaborate de Parascovia Munteanu, magistru n sociologie.

Consultani n elaborarea studiului : Nicolae Sadovei, Confereniar universitar, doctor n drept; Ion Cibotric, jurist Design i Tehnoredactare: Ian agovschi

Tiprit la: Sagius-Grafic SRL Str. Koglniceanu 20 m. Chiinu

BARIERE DE INCLUZIUNE A PERSOANELOR CU DIZABILITI DIN REPUBLICA MOLDOVA

STUDIU SOCIOLOGIC, Ediia I, iulie 2011, realizat de Asociaia Obteasc Centrul de Asisten Juridic pentru persoane cu dizabiliti (www.advocacy.md , info@advocacy.md, tel/fax 28 70 90)

Descrierea CIP a Camerei Naionale a Crii Bariere de incluziune social a persoanelor cu disabiliti din Republica Moldova: Studiu sociologic / Centrul de Asisten Juridic pentru persoane cu Disabiliti. Ch. : S. n., 2011 (Tipogr. agius Grafic SRL). 64 p. 300 ex.

ISBN 978-9975-4227-0-3. 303.425 :364.2 B 33

Acest studiu este posibil graie ajutorului generos al poporului american oferit prin intermediul Ageniei SUA pentru Dezvoltare Internaional (USAID), n cadrul Programului Consolidarea Societii Civile n Moldova (MCSSP), implementat de FHI 360. Opiniile exprimate aparin autorilor i nu reflect n mod necesar poziia USAID, Guvernului SUA sau FHI 360.

Summary_Social barriers to inclusion of persons with disabilities in Moldova_ CAJPD_2011Study_Social barriers to inclusion of persons with disabilities in Moldova_CAJPD_2011_Rom