Every person with disabilities has the right to an independent life, and allowing them to live this life is a priority of the Law and Justice government – said Minister Marlena Maląg.

Solidarity Fund

The creation of the Solidarity Fund was a landmark step. The objective of the Solidarity Fund is to provide the social, professional, health and financial support to persons with disabilities.

Disability pensions and benefits

The social pension has been put on the same footing with the minimum old age pension and from March it will amount to PLN 1,588. In 2015, it was only PLN 740. What is important, beneficiaries may take up employment on the same terms as old age pensioners.

In turn, the care benefit for the carer has been linked to the minimum salary and amounts to PLN 2,458. When explaining doubts related to the loss of this benefit in the case of taking up work, Minister Maląg pointed out that it must be closely related to assistance, so as not to leave a person with disabilities unattended. She added that changes in this area were in preparation.

Employment

The co-financing for the remuneration of persons with disabilities increased and now amounts to PLN 2,400 in the case of a significant degree of disability, PLN 1,350 – moderate degree and PLN 500 – low degree.

The annual co-financing per employee in the vocational development centre is PLN 31 thousand. In 2015, it was PLN 18.5 thousand. The co-financing in the occupational therapy workshop, which amounted to PLN 14,796 in 2015, this year exceeded PLN 27 thousand.

Accessibility

We are the second country in the world and the first one in Europe which adopted the Act on accessibility – reminded Minister Maląg. It applies not only to architectural space, but also guarantees that all persons with disabilities are treated subjectively with the right to an independent and dignified life.

Independence-Activity-Mobility

We are translating the road map included in the Strategy for Persons with Disabilities 2021-1030 into hard facts – said the Government Plenipotentiary for Disabled People Paweł Wdówik.

The Chancellery of the Prime Minister allocated an additional PLN 1 billion for the Independence-Activity-Mobility programme. „Accessible housing” is the possibility of exchanging, with co-financing, a flat for the one which is free of barriers preventing movement. „Flat for a graduate” is the three-year co-financing for the costs of renting a flat to a person with disabilities who starts their professional career. „Assisted Housing Communities,” like care and residential centres, provide the 24-hour support to persons with the most severe disabilities.

The co-financing of up to 80% of the vehicle’s value can be expected by persons buying a car specially adapted to their type of disability.

Plans

Soon, the assistive technology rental should start operating. As Deputy Minister Paweł Wdówik informed, the purchased equipment that will be made available is very advanced in technological terms.

„Accessible public space” means the support of local governments in making this space friendly. It includes not only transport routes, but also offices, playgrounds, cultural institutions and places of worship. It will be complemented by an app allowing to learn the level of accessibility and to file a complaint about its absence.