Pashinyan: We see enormous development potential in people with  special needs

ArmInfo. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan chaired a meeting of the National Commission on Disability Issues, which was also attended by civil society  representatives.  According to the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan noted in his speech that they traditionally meet every year on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

"We see enormous development potential in people with disabilities, which we are unable to adequately and properly include in the development agenda of the Republic of Armenia," Nikol Pashinyan said.

Labor and Social Affairs Minister Arsen Torosyan presented his  political vision and programmatic initiatives on issues affecting  people with disabilities. The Minister noted that the National  Assembly adopted the laws "On the Rights of Persons with  Disabilities" and "On the Assessment of Human Functional  Capabilities," which enabled the transition from a medical model to a  rights and inclusion model. As of November 1, the previous and new  systems covered 197,046 persons with disabilities, including 9,356  children. Of these, 24.4%, or 48,211 people, including 4,600  children, have already undergone a functional assessment.

According to Arsen Torosyan, the new assessment system ensures  data-driven policies, enabling the development of targeted services  based on age, disability type, and actual needs. It was noted that  the "Personal Assistant" service, which is currently used by 204  citizens, was introduced in 2024.  Arsen Torosyan also announced the  expansion of Small Group Homes,  which provide temporary care  services replacing large institutions.  Currently, 70 people with  mental and intellectual disabilities receive 24-hour care in five  small group homes in a family-like environment.

The head of the Ministry of Social Labor noted that opportunities to  live in community are also being expanded through home care services.  Starting in 2025, home care services will also be provided to  children with disabilities (at a rate of 170 children per month).  According to Arsen Torosyan, these services are also planned to be  expanded. A total of 1,325 citizens use home care services, with 624  of them being people with disabilities.

Over the past three years, the state budget allocated for support  measures has also increased. Expenditures for these purposes in 2025  will amount to approximately 2.5 billion drams, and over 3 billion  drams are planned for 2026. In 2025, 33,000 support measures will be  provided to more than 15,000 citizens. "These aren't separate  programs; they're our strategy for the complete transformation of  services, the goal of which is clear: services should reach people,  not people reach services," Arsen Torosyan concluded.