As Mr. Hatzidakis underlined, these are new ideas and actions for Greece. But they have long been common practices in advanced European countries.
Four new actions aimed at further supporting people with disabilities were presented by the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Kostis Hatzidakis from the stage of a special event organized on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3). Specifically, in the coming months:
1. The generalization of the application of the Digital Disability Card, a “card of dignity” that began to operate from November 1.
2. The promotion of the Personal Assistant to strengthen the independent living of people with disabilities, an institution for which preliminary work has already been done and funding has been secured from the Recovery Fund
3. The strengthening of deinstitutionalization policies, based on good European practices
4. The expansion of the policies of the Public Employment Service (DYPA) with the inclusion of all disabled people who wish to do so in the labor market.
As Mr. Hatzidakis underlined, “these are new ideas and actions for Greece. But they have long been common practices in advanced European countries. We are committed to promoting these actions. With a system, with speed and in cooperation with the disability movement. We owe it to the disabled, but also to our conscience.”
At the same event, moreover, a series of new actions by DYPA were presented: Among other things, the launch of a new employment program for 3,000 Persons with Disabilities (with a subsidy of 75% of salary and contributions to businesses and financing from the Recovery Fund) was announced in the next period. . The creation by DYPA of a special school (as an annex of the Athens School for Disabled Persons) for the upgrading of digital skills in the autism spectrum in collaboration with Amazon, Cisco and Microsoft, the creation – in the DYPA building in Patision – of a Model Space was also announced Serving Citizens with any form of disability and vulnerable social groups and the construction of accessibility ramps in all Vocational Schools of DYPA, starting with EPAS Attica.
Finally, a Guide was made public today that gathers all the information on the actions and programs of DYPA for the disabled community
(https://www.dypa.gov.gr/storage/eko/odhgos-eksyphrethshs-gia-idikes-kai-efpathis-kinonikes-omades.pdf)
Welcoming the event, the Minister of State Giorgos Gerapetritis said: “The issue of the rights of people with disabilities has been a central policy of the current government and a model for its horizontal staff operation.
If I had to sum up the government’s effort for the rights of people with disabilities in three words it would be: care, accessibility, inclusion.
The goal is to reach a level where not only will there be no discrimination against people with disabilities, but where disability will not even be an element of differentiation in society.”
The Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Domna Michailidou, said: “We are constantly creating the conditions to ensure equal access of our fellow citizens with disabilities to society and the labor market. That’s why we introduced the Personal Assistant service. We integrate early detection of disabilities and disorders into all nurseries and have recently introduced early intervention at home.
In addition, with the “Home Access” program, we make it easier for people with disabilities in their daily lives. We are implementing the pilot program of Supported Employment for people on the autism spectrum. As a State and as citizens, it is our responsibility to create an inclusive society that accommodates all of us. We don’t leave anyone behind.”
The general secretary of Social Solidarity and Combating Poverty Giorgos Stamatis said: “The policies we design and implement, such as the institutionalization of supported work and the creation of a program of mobility and orientation trainers, promote the independent living of people with disabilities and ensure their inclusion in community activities. We invest in an inclusive, sustainable and socially just society , providing equal opportunities to people with disabilities in education, work, social participation. In order to combine the individual policies, draw up new ones and integrate them into a common framework, we are proceeding to draw up a national strategy for the independent living of people with disabilities and their inclusion in the community».
The governor of DYPA Spyros Protopsaltis said: “Equal opportunities in the labor market for all, without exclusions, are its main priority. We have made important progress in recent years, such as by covering all subsidized jobs in the special employment program and the first specially designed digital platform in Greece. Today we announced new innovative initiatives and our effort will continue every day, with all our strength, to ensure equal access to work.”
MEP Stelios Kymbouropoulos said: “Thanks to the actions of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, our country will soon stop talking about what good has been done in other European countries because we will also experience the progress regarding the rights of disabled people».
The president of the National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities (ESAMeA), Ioannis Vardakastanis, said: “For the disabled movement of the country, December 3rd is a day of exercising social control, protection of rights and accountability. We are waiting for the prime minister to take a position on our proposal to link the disability allowance with the pension increase mechanism. Also, the country must enact legislation to extend the principle of equal treatment. Third, in the country we have oases of accessibility and deserts, so a law-framework for the accessibility of digital and built environment is urgently needed. We are also calling for a Strategy for Inclusion and Living in the Community, which will try to end abusive situations in institutions.”
Finally, a greeting at the event was addressed by the executive of SEV, Giorgos Nathanael, who referred to the actions of businesses to strengthen the employability of people with disabilities.
RES-EMP
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