It is extremely important that the very diverse community of people with disabilities receives support in a variety of areas - social, health or vocational.

– We pay particular attention to this. We have created the Solidarity Fund, we have implemented a supplementary benefit for persons incapable of independent existence, we regularly increase the number of other benefits, and we have launched the “Pro-Life” programme, which will be expanded in the near future – enumerates the Minister of Family and Social Policy, Marlena Maląg.

Support for persons with disabilities means systemic solutions, but also directing a larger stream of money to support this group – an increase in the social pension, care allowance or care benefits.

There is definitely more money allocated to support persons with disabilities in comparison to 2015. In 2020, it amounted to approximately PLN 29.1 billion, over PLN 13.5 billion more than in 2015, when the support amounted to about PLN 15.5 billion.

The Council of Ministers has adopted the Strategy for Persons with Disabilities

The works on the Strategy for People with Disabilities have started in late 2016. In 2020, the Strategy was considerably expanded and focused. Over 1,600 pages of public consultation comments were analysed and a working version of the Strategy received initial approval from the European Commission.

– The first Polish Strategy for Persons with Disabilities, adopted today by the Council of Ministers, is a comprehensive document which will be a road map of national policy for persons with disabilities. We are primarily concerned with the inclusion of people with disabilities in social and professional life, with creating a space that is truly accessible for everyone – asserts the Minister of Family and Social Policy, Marlena Maląg.

Priority areas of the Strategy

The works on the proposal of specific measures was preceded by a diagnosis of the factual state, which was based both on generally available statistical data concerning the situation of people with disabilities in Poland, as well as on various reports and studies on this subject.

A number of strategic actions were formulated on that basis; they were later grouped and divided into priority areas of the Strategy:

I. Independent Living

II. Accessibility

III. Education

IV. Work

V. Living conditions and social protection

VI. Health

VII. Awareness building

VIII. Coordination

– Implementation of actions included in the Strategy for Persons with Disabilities will enable persons with disabilities to live independently and to fully participate fully in all areas of life, so that they can function in society on an equal basis with others – Minister Marlena Maląg points out.