On October 22, the sitting of the Council of the Disabled affiliated with the NA President was held.

The NA President Artur Baghdasaryan noted that in the formation of the council the role of prematurely deceased MP Artak Arakelyan was great, and by his promotion numerous legislative initiatives were debated, and issues of the disabled were solved. On the agenda of the sitting was the issue of the new coordinator’s election and by the proposal of the NA President Artur Baghdasaryan, Suren Ohanyan, Chairman of the NGO “Paros” (lighthouse) and Hakob Hakobyan, Chairman of the NGO “Pyunik” (phoenix) were appointed as the Council Co-chairmen on the Disabled affiliated with RA NA President.

Mr. Baghdasaryan informed that an increase of the sums is envisaged for the disabled by the 2006 state draft budget, i.e. 660mln AMD was allocated to the disabled for providing prosthetic orthopedic equipment, technical means, the pensions of the disabled will be increased in 20%, 1000 copy of books have been edited for the blinds, the edition of the books is envisaged to be reached to 3.500. According to Artur Baghdasaryan, the social allocations for the solution of key problems of the disabled are of great importance. Mr. Baghdasaryan noted that in 2006 a republican center of training and retraining will be opened in Armenia, which will give the disabled children to get familiarized with new technologies, become competitive and find job in labor market. Artur Baghdasaryan noted that numerous applications and letters were received: the council will take active part in the solution of the problems of the disabled. A working group was proposed to create, which will deal with the employment problems of the disabled. The group can also present a support proposal by a relevant legislation if it is necessary. The NA President informed that according to the agreement achieved in the USA, several blind people will study in the USA and return to work. Artur Baghdasaryan highlighted the activity of the 24 computer centers in the capital and in all the marzes of the republic, where the disabled, refugees and children of socially needy families get computer trainings.

Samvel Pipoyan, head of the department on craftsmanship and medium specialized education of the Ministry of Education and Science presented the issue of creating a craftsmanship educational center for retraining the disabled in Armenia. He reminded that 113.000 disabled living in Armenia need the concern of state, indicating that the law “On Education of Persons Needing Special Conditions of Education” made a comprehensive amendment in the sphere. Mr. Pipoyan noted, that there aren’t corresponding conditions in medium specialized institutions and trade colleges for organizing the education of the disabled children. Samvel Pipoyan said, that the establishment of the trade and educational center for the disabled was highlighted during the discussions of the NA President and the Minister of Education and Science. According to him, the center must be established on the basis of specialized special schools on the issues of retraining and educating the disabled. Mr. Pipoyan finds that the disabled children must be integrated with healthy children, also indicating the complications of the issue. Special educational programs must be elaborated for the disabled and mentally retarded children.

Suren Ohanyan, head of the public organization “Paros” presented the issues of the disabled. He informed that according to the calculations of the ministry, the employment of the disabled in the republic is 8%, which is a matter of concern. The creation of the above mentioned center will give an opportunity to increase the employment percentage.

Suren Matevosyan, member of the NGO “Bridge of Hope” touched upon the problem on the use of the RA law “On Education of the Persons Needing Special Conditions of Education,” highlighting the creation of estimation center and the necessity of estimation criteria creation.

Hakob Abrahamyan, head of the NGO “Pyunik” talked on the necessity of disabled sports development, proposing to include an allocation in 2006 state budget for the disabled sports in the range of 24 kinds of sport. The NA President promised to promote in that matter.

Vahe Arakelyan touched upon the constitutional amendments, noting that in case of constitutional amendment through referendum, relevant amendments are to be made also to other laws, including the social amendments. It was noted that for a country and people being on the way to democracy, the activity of the constitutional amendments are of great importance. Armen Alaverdyan proposed that during the campaign of the constitutional amendments also time will be allotted for the disabled i.e. they can talk on TV about their problems. The NA President Artur Baghdasaryan called on the disabled to take active part in referendum. The members of the council proposed inclined floors to be put for the disabled in electoral precincts.