A draft which stipulates that handicapped people would be deprived of full financial reimbursement for wheelchairs may be adopted in Russia.
Currently, the government compensates for 100% of the cost of wheelchairs to disabled Russians, however amendments which stipulate the abolishment of this benefit is being discussed in the lower house of the Russian Parliament, the State Duma. The amendment may come into force from February 1, 2011.
The wheelchairs that disabled people usually acquire have "characteristics that have no relation to the goal of rehabilitation." Moreover, the cost of such wheelchairs exceeds the cost of those bought under state tenders, the explanatory note to the draft read.
"If we talk about my personal opinion, the 100% abolishment of compensation [for wheelchairs] will lower the welfare of the handicapped, lower their standard of living, and deprive many handicapped people of their ability to take an active part in today's life," a member of the Public Chamber, Vladimir Krupennikov, said.
Yelena Nikolayeva, chairwoman of the Public Chamber's Commission for Social and Demographic Policies, also slammed the draft. "Perhaps, in line with this draft, the handicapped should ride on stools?"
Scores of letters protesting against the legislative draft have been received every day by the Federation Council of Russia demanding that the measure be stopped, Natalia Malysheva, a member of the council, said.
MOSCOW, November 19 (RIA Novosti)
