March 29, 2010 - 12:08 AMT
ARTICLE
Marine Hakobyan: we can brighten up human lives with our attitude
The RA law on social protection of disabled people ensures equal rights for all Armenian citizens.
The RA law on social protection of disabled people ensures equal rights for all Armenian citizens. According to the law, any person, no matter whether he/she has physical or mental problems, is entitled to receive special education of all levels (from secondary to higher). Actually, inclusive education is available in a small number of schools and doesn’t often meet required standards.

“We should bear in mind that not every child needing a special education is disabled and not every disabled child needs specific education conditions. For example, if a child has hearing problems, it’s just enough to buy a hearing device to let him study with other children in an ordinary school,” expert Marine Hakobyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

“The problem is that aid is rendered only to those people whose disability is registered. However, people with physical and mental problems are often not registered as disabled. Mentally retarded people are the most vulnerable stratum of the population and our task is to reveal their string points. Special educational institutions and colleges could be an ideal place for them. It’s scientifically proved, for example, that people suffering from autism can do work requiring utmost concentration,” she said.

The expert also addressed to another urgent problem: disabled people are often used as source of income by organizations allegedly protecting their rights. “Schools practicing inclusive education are better financed, so sometimes directors of such schools present temporary difficulties the pupils experience as disability,” she said

“I would like to emphasize that it’s incorrect to form an impression of a person with half an eye. We can really brighten up human lives with our attitude,” Ms. Hakobyan concluded.

Mane Amirjanyan / PanARMENIAN News