The participants discussed the results of the Second National Championship of professional skills competition featuring persons with disabilities (Abilympics) held in November 2016, as well as the performance of executive bodies, local governments and non-governmental organisations to ensure the availability of transport infrastructure and transport services for people with disabilities.
Minister of Education and Science and Head of the Organising Committee of the National Championship Abilympics Olga Vasilyeva reported on the first issue.
The championship was held in accordance with the 2011–2020 Accessible Environment federal programme approved by the Government resolution of December 1, 2015.
The objectives of the championship include effective career guidance and motivating people with disabilities to pursue vocational training and improve their employability.
About 1,700 people with disabilities took part in the qualifying stages organised in 48 Russian regions in 2016.
The finals were held with the Moscow Government’s organisational support. Over 500 people with disabilities (students, young professionals and schoolchildren) representing 61 Russian regions took part in the contest with the support of over 300 volunteers.
The Commission supported the Ministry of Education’s proposal to hold the Abilympics in 2017.
The meeting participants noted that work is almost complete at the federal, regional and municipal levels to form legislation pursuant to Federal Law 419-FZ of December 1, 2014, and action plans to make facilities and services more accessible to people with disabled have been adopted.
It was suggested to pay special attention to accessibility for people with limited mobility on auto, air and rail transport, as well as on motorways and the metro.
The meeting participants also acknowledged the need to form, at the federal and regional levels, an effective system for monitoring the observance of the rights of persons with disabilities when providing transportation services.