Deputy Mayor Olga Ursu participated on Friday in the sales exhibition of handcrafted works by persons with disabilities. The event took place in the context of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed annually on December 3.
The municipal official emphasized the need for organizing such events to raise community awareness about the challenges faced by persons with disabilities. "It is important to demonstrate solidarity and empathy towards these exceptional individuals not only on December 3, when the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is marked but every day," mentioned Olga Ursu.
The Deputy Mayor also acquired several works exhibited by individuals with special needs to support and appreciate their talent and skill.
The Chisinau City Hall makes sustained efforts to ensure that all residents feel full members of society, preventing anyone from feeling isolated or excluded.
A special priority for the Chisinau City Hall is to ensure access to education for children with special needs.
At the municipal level, there are 67 Inclusive Educational Resource Centers, with a total of 882 children enrolled in 714 primary and secondary educational institutions, and 168 children placed in early education institutions, guided by 73 support staff.
The city operates various programs and services supporting persons with disabilities, including:
Personal Social Assistance Program for persons with severe disabilities;
Home care service for persons with disabilities and those living alone;
"Mobile Team" service for children with disabilities;
"Mobile Team" service for adults with severe and pronounced disabilities;
"Personal Assistance" service for children with severe disabilities;
"Community House for Children with Disabilities" service;
"Gavroche House" Rehabilitation Center;
"Respite" service for children with disabilities;
"Light" Placement Center, including children with severe and pronounced disabilities;
Recovery centers for children: "Traian," "Attention," and "House of Hope";
Day Center for children with rare diseases and autism, "Blue Butterfly";
"ADIR" Center, offering free therapy and psychological counseling for persons with disabilities;
Day and Activity Center "START," a social service for persons with intellectual disabilities.
Furthermore, within municipal subdivisions, there are programs to support individuals with visual or hearing impairments, as well as providing glucose meters for individuals with diabetes, among others.
In order to enhance the infrastructure for people with special needs and disabilities, 10 million lei were allocated from the municipal budget, including the installation of access ramps in 42 educational institutions and the development of camps for children.
The Chisinau City Hall declared the year 2024 as the Year of Accessibility in Chisinau, representing an intersectoral initiative and commitment to the development and strengthening of social areas to improve the quality of life for Chisinau residents, including enhancing accessibility in various aspects of urban life.