Parents of children with disabilities who cannot receive rehabilitation equipment are increasingly often contacting the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Ministry. This problem is especially acute in the Donbass, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions.
«Unfortunately, those wheelchairs, verticalizers, individual corsets and other equipment that are issued by social services for free are often not suitable for people with disabilities, — said Veronika Leontieva, head of assistance to people with disabilities at the Synodal Department for Charity. — Our hotline 8 (800) 70-70-222 and our aid centers in Donbass receive requests to purchase suitable equipment. We try to respond to every request». Every week the Synod Department for Charity sends new shipments of rehabilitation equipment to those in need in the conflict zone.
It is not easy for people with disabilities and their relatives to provide themselves with basic necessities, Veronika Leontieva said. Earlier, the Ministry of Labor admitted that the sanctions had significantly increased the cost of rehabilitation equipment.
«We receive requests from people who have been waiting for a long period of time for a wheelchair or other rehabilitation equipment," said Veronika Leontieva. — Another problem they face is that the state may issue equipment that is not suitable for a particular person. And after all, a wrongly fitted wheelchair can make life very difficult for a person»
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«We try to pay attention to every request. Behind every request is a person with his personal pain, — said Veronika Leontieva. — December 3 — International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This is a good occasion to remind how important it is to help children and adults with disabilities».
The issue of employment is also relevant for people with disabilities. According to Rosstat, by the end of 2023 there will be 11 million people with disabilities in Russia. According to monitoring data from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation, the number of disabled people of working age in 2023 amounted to 4.2 million people. The number of working-age disabled people of working age amounted to 1.2 million people — a total of 28%.
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«The labor market still provides a rather narrow choice of professions and areas available for career development for people with disabilities, — Veronika Leontieva noted. — Employers often have preconceptions about the employability of such employees. Therefore, people with disabilities have difficulties in finding a job and therefore need support from the state and non-profit organizations. People with mental disabilities are often unable to work in the open labor market, so useful employment is organized for them within the framework of church projects in temples and monasteries».
The Synodal Department for Charity's «Let's Help» platform is currently running a fundraiser to support the work of the St. Nicholas Workshop at the Church of St. Nicholas in the Three Mountains. The project helps participants gain professional skills in sewing and pottery, as well as providing employment opportunities.
Today, the Russian Orthodox Church has over 400 projects that help children and adults with disabilities. The Church is involved in the creation of accompanied living projects for people with disabilities.
The Russian Orthodox Church is also involved in the creation of assisted living projects for people with disabilities.
News and stories about the Church's social ministry are published in Telegram channel «Church Affairs» and in the groups of the Synodal Department for Charity in VK, OK, on Youtube channel.
.You can help refugees and affected civilians at helpvbede.rf. You can support church social projects on the online platform of the Synodal Department for Charity «Let's Help».
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