Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – A Presidential resolution “On Additional Measures for Creating a Favorable and Unimpeded Environment for Disabled Persons” has been adopted.

To ensure safe and unimpeded movement for disabled persons, starting from 1 October 2024, the technical aspects of urban planning documentation for projects subject to reconstruction and repair will be required to undergo mandatory examination to ensure compliance with requirements for creating conditions for disabled persons as defined in urban planning norms and rules.

Each year, at least 10% of the financial resources from the Republican Fund "Safe Road and Safe Pedestrian" will be allocated for construction, repair, and equipping works aimed at creating a safe and unobstructed environment for disabled persons (pedestrians) at intersections.

Works to create an accessible environment are carried out in accordance with the Program for Adapting Intersections to the Needs of Disabled Persons, which is approved annually by November 1 in coordination with the Social Inspection at the National Agency for Social Protection.

Starting from 1 January 2025, a license will be required for the specified types of activities, and it must be obtained from the Social Inspection.

From 1 October 2024, urban passenger transport services for group I disabled persons and one accompanying person will be provided free of charge.

Fifty percent of the expenses for adapting personal vehicles for group I disabled persons (up to 30 BRT) will be reimbursed.

Local executive authorities will annually, by 1 November, develop a project to adapt at least one street in their area to the needs of disabled persons for the following year and carry out construction, repair, and equipping work.

By 1 December, 2024, certain streets (according to a list) will be adapted for the unobstructed movement of disabled persons based on urban planning norms and rules.

Additionally, by 1 January 2026, an informational system "Interactive Map" of the republic will be launched, featuring locations with an accessible environment for the movement of disabled persons.

Starting from 1 October 2024, participants in tenders for placing routes for bus passenger transport in Tashkent and international bus passenger transport, and starting from 1 January 2025, for bus routes in Karakalpakstan, as well as interregional, suburban, and interdistrict (intercity) services, must have buses equipped with special equipment for disabled persons.

From 1 November 2024, until this requirement comes into effect, entrepreneurs who win tenders providing bus passenger transport services in Karakalpakstan and for interregional, suburban, and interdistrict (intercity) services will be reimbursed up to 50% of the costs for adapting buses to the needs of disabled persons, not exceeding 30 sizes of basic estimated value.

Starting from 1 January  2025, ministries and agencies, organizations within their system, and enterprises with over 50% state ownership, during citizen receptions and field visits, will be required to work with a sign language interpreter.

For this purpose, a deputy head responsible for creating a favorable and accessible environment for disabled persons will be appointed in ministries, agencies, their territorial subdivisions, and organizations within their system.

Additionally, one employee responsible for handling citizen appeals in ministries, agencies, organizations within their system, and enterprises with state participation will undergo training in sign language interpretation.

The document approved the Program of Measures for Creating a Favorable and Unimpeded Environment for Disabled Persons and the list of informational systems of ministries and agencies where access to the Social Inspection's informational system will be established by September 1, 2024.