From the Moscow Times:

Many disabled Muscovites, especially those with spinal problems, are effectively locked within the four walls of their homes — doorways and elevators are rarely big enough for wheelchairs, and the Moscow metro and bus systems are not designed for people with disabilities.

Under new rules introduced in 2006, all disabled people applying for federal benefits must have their disabilities verified by the state.

… The process takes two to four months, and while the application is in process, the applicant has no right to any allowances or other privileges. Receiving the document that certifies the disability is only a temporary victory, however. The certification is only valid for a year, and then the process starts all over again.

“They must think that my leg will grow next year while I secretly enjoy the privilege of moving around in a free wheelchair,” said Mikhail Ruchnov, 42, who has been certified as belonging to the category of people with the most severe disabilities.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 24th, 2008 at 7:08 am and is filed under disabilities, international, wheelchair. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.  Email This Post