Continuation
Third ENIL Seminar
Stockholm, Sweden
June 1991
Disability in Bulgaria - the necessity of higher social protection
during the crisis period and the transition to a market economy
Gallina Atanassova
It is evident that disabled people are in a particularly
unfavorable position as they are unable to secure for themselves the necessary
conditions for individual and social way of life. If the non-disabled individual
needs special care and help from the beginning until the end of his life,
the disabled individual remains a "child" in society forever.
Today, during the first steps towards the process of democratic developments
in our country, and after half a century of totalitarian socialism, we are
now trying to answer the question of why the problems of disability, in
history as well as social practices, were neglected until now. This has
led to lower financial investments in this field.
This is not the case however when it comes to women, children and pensioners
in Bulgaria. A number of intensive studies were made in this field which
led to taking practical measures. The superior members of the ruling political
party undertook scientific and practical forums in these matters, though
we have no knowledge that such forums were organized to deal with the problems
of disability. It would be interesting to find out why there has been an
apparent lack of interest in these problems.
First, these are the moral values of Bulgarian society, or perhaps more
accurately, the deformation of the social moral values and principles. The
ideological enthusiasm which was constantly incited in society could not
exist in the hard and grim daily life of the disabled person. The particular
character of the disabled person's life and its problems is not the best
social environment for the ruling party to emphasize their successes.
Secondly, there was the total dejection of all social groups in society.
In such an atmosphere the urgency of the state of one particular group,
such as disabled people, would be very hard to notice. On the whole the
social identification of disabled people as a specific group was not set.
Thirdly, studying the problems of disability meant in one way or another,
exposing the neglected sides of society. This would not be possible in a
social environment where only the positive side of the social development
are set forth and where it is not customary to show the negative sides of
it.
Fourthly, part of the information concerning disabled people was confidential,
as was the aggravating state of the natural and social environment. This
led to extremely unfavorable consequences for the individual and his health:
increase of death rate; decrease of the natural growth of the population;
increase of illnesses and the number of people with disabilities. The data
on work accidents was also confidential, as well as the information about
occupational health hazards, the causes for birth defects in children, and
disabling accidents in the military.
In Bulgaria, the largest percentage of disabled people is between the ages
of 45 and 54, after which it gradually decreases. It is highly probable
that people from this age group who have various disabilities work intensively
to secure a living for their families. This burden adversely affects the
health condition of the individual after a certain age with information
indicating that within the age group of people from 55 to 64 years of age,
the majority are men with severe disabilities.
A special feature of the socio-demographic characteristics of the individuals
is that the majority of rural people are between the ages of 15 and 44.
This is probably due to the decreasing possibility of disabled people to
move and settle from one place to another. During the period studied there
was a high degree of migration from rural to urban centers.
The age group of disabled farm workers is between 35 - 44 years old. Evidently,
at this age they are overworked, in part due to their general condition
of health, and also the particular aspect of the farm work in Bulgaria.
The social status of people with disabilities is no different from that
of the rest of the population. Most are married because they require help
and support. Over 40 per cent of the families of disabled people raise children
as much as as healthy people. Over 12 per cent of these families have three
children as compared to the same number of children raised in non-disabled
families where the percentage is 9 out of 100. This data illustrates the
desire for normal reproduction among people with disabilities. It can be
assumed that this is part of the whole pursuit of human realization.
The participation of people with disabilities in the workplace poses a problem
which must be studied under serious analysis. A majority of disabled people
have relatively little working experience and studies show that only half
as many disabled people are hired as non-disabled. Another paradox is the
nature of the work in which people with disabilities are engaged. Over 52
per cent work as physical laborers, in manual, non-mechanized labor - in
relation to 30 per cent of non-disabled workers - and about 18 per cent
are employed in physical mechanized labor, as compared to 10 per cent of
the rest of the population. Only 10 per cent of disabled workers are engaged
in non-physical employment. These facts are a result of a number of paradoxes
in our legal system, giving the possibility to exercise professional labor
from disabled persons in a manner that is discriminating.
The working conditions for people with disabilities raises a number of questions
when compared to the conditions for the rest of the population. For example,
30 per cent of the employed disabled people work on two night shifts, 18
per cent of which include night shifts while compared to the non-disabled
community where it is only 10 per cent. Another curious fact is that only
10 per cent of the employed disabled work part-time where among their counterparts
of non-disabled people it is 15 per cent.
Studies show that 18 per cent of the disabled population has a willing desire
to work while in the non-disabled community it is 15 per cent. The state
could gain much more if adequate conditions for using the potential work
of people with disabilities were utilized rather than creating special compensation
funds and offering government restrictions on professional labour for the
disabled.
The classification of Labour Health Experts (LHE) of "permanently disturbed
professional ability" should acquire a new meaning since the information
indicates that of those classified, 50 per cent are absolutely able to be
engaged in physical, mental or combined labor.
First of all, among the reasons for employing disabled people are illnesses,
59 per cent, out of which 4 per cent: work accidents; 3 per cent: another
type of accident. The number of work accidents among the employed disabled
is higher than non-disabled, 7.5 per cent in relation to 3.7 per cent.
The working conditions for the disabled and labour protection, produce a
high level of traumatic shock. Here we include disturbances and restriction
in the motive and other functions among the disabled. The issue is to create
adequate working conditions for the employed disabled, aiming at maximum
use of their potential of work abilities under favorable conditions.
The incomes of people with disabilities on a large scale could be labelled
as very low. Over 56 per cent of the disabled have a monthly income of over
90 levs. During the period this information was compiled (1986), the living
minimum was set at 150 levs - 160-165 levs in reality. Only 13 per cent
of the disabled live over the social minimum. Having in mind rapid inflation
and higher cost of living, especially for people with disabilities, the
information shows that a large number of people with disabilities live under
the social living standards.
Among the medical reasons for disability in the first place are the illnesses
of blood circulation nature (37 per cent); secondly, are those of a nervous
system disorder (11 per cent); and thirdly, of psychological disturbances
(10.5 per cent).
Among the social reasons for invalidity, a large part are due to biological
or environmental causes (32 per cent); working or social conditions (26
per cent); socio-psychological problems (19 per cent); nutrition and bad
habits (22 per cent). These causes have different roots. Part of them result
from the cultural traditions of the society, others are matters of government
and social policy/environmental care, housing policy, technological level
of production and so on.
The creating of the Union of Disabled People in Bulgaria, as early as the
first days after the fall of the totalitarian regime, is a favorable condition
for protecting the interests of the disabled during the period of change
towards a market economy.
The union administration is closely following every step of the legislative
and executive authorities, as well as everything concerning the social policy
of the disabled. The main efforts are now directed toward building popularity
and prestige before Bulgarian society as well as foreign countries. Although
the relatively small possibilities of the government and other economic
units to invest along with our participation through legal manner, some
major corrections have already been made in the legal regulations for disabled
people.
We especially rely on the moral and methodical support of the international
organizations which we highly respect, including DPI, FIMITIK, Mobility
Intl., and ENIL. In the future we will count on common sense, humanity,
tolerance, fare analysis of the problems and mutual cooperation with similar
organizations all over the world.
Introducing UDPB
The Union of Disabled People in Bulgaria (UDPB) is
a national, independent, self-governing organization which unites in its
ranks, people with impairments, disabilities and handicaps. It is an exponent
of the all-round needs and interests of disabled people - with the exception
of those who are member of the previously existing structures of blind and
deaf citizens - before the state, social and other authorities and organizations
in the country and abroad. The UDPB was founded on the 14th of December
1989 and shortly after that was legally constituted. It is a grass roots
membership organization with regional and branch structures.
The UDPB works for the solution of the socio-economic problem of disabled
people and their many-sided development and social self-realization as citizens
with equal rights in society. The Union attains its goals and objectives
through:
- reaching and attracting its new members on voluntary and individual
basis;
- publicizing its aims and objectives;
- examining the needs of our members and submitting to the respective
state authorities and public organizations proposals or draft laws for initiating
or changing policy documents related to issues concerning the problems of
disabled people;
- assisting its members in extending their educational and vocational
training;
- cooperating with the state authorities and public organizations in
raising the effectiveness of the medical, professional and social rehabilitation
of disabled people and promoting their healthy way of living;
- providing conditions for the improvement of health, social, cultural
and recreational attendance for its members by building up rehabilitation,
cultural, educational, athletic and other centers and facilities, rest homes,
housing and home services for disabled people, etc.;
- taking measures for the solution of the specific needs of disabled
children and teenagers;
- organizing sports, tourism and mobility among disabled persons;
- assisting disabled people to actively overcome the architectural and
transport barriers and to encourage the design and production of up-to-date
technical equipment, aids and adaptations to allow the full participation
of disabled people in economic and social activities;
- active involvement in international contact and cooperation with similar
international, national and regional governmental and non-governmental organizations
and other structures.
Membership is voluntary and admission is done on an individual basis. Collective
membership is also foreseen, in particular for specialized medical or rehabilitation
centers, being either Bulgarian or foreign legal entities.
The supreme body of the UDPB is the Congress. It meets at least once every
five years, elects a Central Council and a Central Auditing Commission,
hears reports on their work and sets the general guidelines for the Union's
activity and its tasks in the period until the next Congress.
The governing body between congresses is the Central Council which meets
at least twice a year. It elects a president, vice-presidents (2), and members
of the board, who guide the activities when the Central Council is not in
session. The president and the vice-presidents organize and control the
implementation of the decisions taken by the membership.
Editor's note: the above paper has not been edited.
Berliner Zentrum für Selbstbestimmtes Leben behinderter Menschen
e.V.
Foundation and definition of our position
We disabled and non-disabled people, who have known
each other since before 1989, founded the Berlin Center for Independent
Living of Disabled People in March 1990. It is a non-profit organization
and for half a year has been financially supported by the Berlin Senate
of Health and Social Welfare.
The political changes which came about in our country in November 1989 made
it possible for the first time for disabled people to found their own special
groups and organizations; a freedom which they exercised. After studying
the philosophy of the Independent Living Movement, we have decided to follow
this direction because its tenets are important for us:
- the right of self-determination
- taking part in public affairs
- training of self-consciousness
- looking for, finding and teaching of personal assistants
First of all, we organized for a limited number of disabled people a social
service with the help of community service - as an alternative to military
service - to assist those persons with disabilities. Gradually we built
up our Center for Independent Living and an advice center. Since March 1991
two of our members have been working through a job-creation-measure paid
by the labour exchange!
Our work involves:
- Peer support (the new social legislation causes a great insecurity
among ourselves).
- We find it worth striving for organizing personal assistance and functioning
as employers of our own personal assistants.
- We are thinking and working together with other CILs in Germany and
Europe.
- Twenty percent of our members are not disabled. This is a result of
policy from the former GDR and the origins of our organization together
with non-disabled people who we do not want to expel.
- We want to provide a constellation of integrated IL services to enable
people with significant disabilities to live on their own - independent
from parents or institutions.
Club Contacts, Moscow
Ekaterina Kim
In the tremendous changes in the Russian political,
economic and social structure there has been some progress in the situation
of persons with disabilities. An increasing number of us take an active
part in our own affairs recognizing that we know our problems and their
solutions best. On the downside, we have become the main objects of a rising
charity movement where our problems are often used by people for their political
winnings. The Russian people are very kind and generous and feel sorry for
disabled persons. If a disabled person asks for help they would rush to
do it, say pitiful words to you, bring you bread, help you about the house
and in the streets. But a lot of these good-hearted people would be surprised,
if you talked to them about our cultural and educational needs. We are called
invalids. People think we live to survive, that all we need is merciful
help, food and financial support. Realistically speaking we do not have
many alternatives to charity at the moment. Yet we are trying to change
the traditional distorted image of disabled persons that charities exploit.
Given our current economic crisis Independent Living programs lie in a distant
future. One of the biggest obstacles is the inaccessibility of our built
environment. Only two hotels in Moscow are accessible for disabled persons,
to say nothing of shops, administrative buildings, cinemas, museums, libraries
or concert halls. Houses are hostile to disabled people since they are decorated
with stairs and stairs. For a long time our society has considered only
the exterior of the architectural appearance of our towns and not the people
who live there. This reflects the official attitude of the State towards
its citizens. The slogan "the Soviet society is the society of harmonically
developed and physically healthy people" resulted in the absolute isolation
of disabled persons from society by making the built environment inaccessible
for persons using crutches or wheelchairs.
Inaccessible architecture together with the absence of good wheelchairs
and other devices for disabled people, inaccessible public transportation
and the lack of cars (for example, my pension is 165 roubles per month,
a car costs 18 000 roubles) deprive our disabled persons of their right
to mobility, education, jobs and decent housing. Five years ago one could
hardly see a disabled person outside. Now people with disabilities are coming
out more often to take part in meetings and cultural events. Only very recently
the public opinion has admitted the existence of people with disabilities.
Our Club was founded in March 1991. It consists of President, Soviet and
Executive Board. The President, according to the Charter, must be a disabled
person whom members elect for five years. The Soviet consists of 9 members,
five of which are disabled persons. The Executive Board is comprised of
7 persons who can be disabled or nondisabled. The Club works for social,
educational and vocational integration and creativity among disabled people.
The Club builds three safety zones around our disabled members. The first
circle is made up by close friends whose helping hands do not make us feel
humiliated, if we ask them for assistance in overcoming physical and other
barriers. The second circle consists of friends of the first circle who
are professionals of different kinds. They help us in the practical realization
of our ideas. The third circle is our businessmen who sponsor some of our
programmes and educate us in becoming financially independent. In our experience
there are many people who are anxious to help us, all they need is knowledge
about our needs. By involving them in our work we can integrate ourselves
into society. The Club promotes contacts with other disability organizations,
governmental and public institutions, enterprises, cooperatives, and religious
organizations.
We have presently 60 active members who work with 295 families with disabled
children and about 200 disabled persons of different ages. Parents take
an active part in managing services since they are experts on the problems
of disabled children. In working with children we offer nine special services.
- Parent-to-parent services (educating parents, seminars, peer counselling)
- Educational services (secondary education for children who fall out
of mainstream education)
- Medical-social services
- Advocacy
- Sports/rehabilitation services
- Cultural and recreational services
- Transport services (we call them "green services")
- Information services
- Personal assistance ("My dear nannie")
Many disabled children cannot attend regular school, they are taught at
home. The quality of such home teaching leaves much to be desired. The Club
provides tutors to disabled children and helps disabled adults to acquire
professional skills. Disabled adults help disabled children adapt to their
disability.
We have found support at the top. The Committee on Family Problems and Demographic
Policy included the model into the State Programme. We hope it will become
part of the official State policy thereby giving recognition that a disabled
person is an equal citizen, a personality with all potentials and talents
that can be developed and realized if there are equal opportunities.
Like other disabled peoples' organizations in our country, our club depends
mainly on charity money. In the future we want to be economically independent
by running our own businesses. We want to start joint ventures with disability
organizations in other countries to sell goods produced by disabled people
in Russia and to publish information for our people here. Our organizations
in Russia need information and are thankful to our friends who kindly send
it to us. We hope that with the helping hands of foreign colleagues and
the information they share with us Russian organizations will soon join
the Independent Living movement.
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