November 30, 2021, Kyzylorda – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan designed a model apartment adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. The apartment is part of a joint initiative that aims at stimulating social rehabilitation and improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

The apartment is located at the Rehabilitation Center of the Kyzylorda region and is designed for persons, using a wheelchair.

 “Adapting social facilities for persons with disabilities is an important part of creating a barrier-free environment. We are working both on the creation of infrastructure and on standards for the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. This project is another successful example of cooperation between the Ministry and UNDP in this area”, - noted Ruslan Sakeyev, Vice Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Currently, there are 695 000 persons with disabilities in Kazakhstan, of which 15 000 persons are wheelchair users.

With UNDP’s support, the premises at the Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities of the Kyzylorda region have been reconstructed into a two-room apartment, consisting of an entrance hall, a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The model apartment is fully adapted for a free movement of a person in a wheelchair and is equipped with household appliances, special furniture, and accessories. For example, the apartment has no doorsteps, the doorways are wider than usual, the bathroom is equipped with handrails, all furniture and appliances are lowered to the level of a person in a wheelchair. Special cutlery and devices for lifting objects from the floor were also purchased for the apartment.

“UNDP calls for the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including the creation of conditions for independent way of living and the full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life”, - noted Yakup Beris, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan at the opening ceremony.

As part of the joint initiative, it is also planned to develop methodology of social and living adaptation and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, which will subsequently be introduced into the practice of the country's rehabilitation centers.

The opening ceremony of a model apartment has been held ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is marked annually on 3 December.