Advocate: Russia in ‘undeclared war’ against disabled
October 12th, 2009From the BBC:
Advocates say the estimated 13 million people with disabilities in Russia face daily abuse and prejudice, while access problems and threats of violence leave them isolated and vulnerable. Tens of thousands of children with disabilities get no education.
“The situation for people with disabilities here is now worse than in Soviet times, it’s like an undeclared war against us,” said Vadim Voevodin, who has not been able to leave his Moscow apartment for the past ten years because the building will not accommodate his wheelchair.
Voevodin says acute prejudice within Russian society marginalizes people with disabilities and leaves them without basic medical care. Authorities dispute Voevodin’s claims, and say they are spending $300 million to improve facilities in the city for people with disabilities.
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