UBC Questionnaire on the Situation of Disabled

In 2001, UBC VI General Conference has adopted the UBC Social Charter declaring cities' will to promote good and dignified living conditions for all the citizens. In connection with European Year of Disabled and UBC Social Campaign a survey on the situation of disabled in the UBC member cities was carried on by the Commission on Sport.

The questionnaire aimed at recognising and approaching the situation of the disabled to identify the most urgent problems of the disabled people and to show which obstacles cities had when solving those problems.

26 cities have answered the questionnaire. The percentage of the disabled in these cities varied from 1% to 16% of cities' inhabitants. The results of the research showed that the most difficult problems for the cities are breaking up psychological barriers, a lack of social acceptance and the question of professional activating of the disabled to make them live independently. The last but not least problem turned out to be architectural barriers which impede access to the public spaces for a part of our society.

The Eastern cities pinpointed equally important problems such as insufficient number of trained specialists and rehabilitation equipment, as well as too weak social care system. Some cities drew attention to the lack of or too poor information, transport and legal instruments that ensured full participation in social life and equal conditions of living.

Problems faced by the cities are the same, regardless of the country. However, Western cities rarely raised the legal issues or the lack of rehabilitation equipment. Also, the social care system and possibility of education of disabled people seem to be more advanced in those countries.

Even if those needs and problems are identified, the process of solving them is costly and requires a long-run action. Due to the need of engaging highly professional staffer special rehabilitation equipment cities often face financial problems.

Cities reported the need of establishing co-operation of organisations of the disabled so that they can share with their problems or exchange experiences.

Following cities took part in the survey: Naestved (Denmark); Johvi, Kardla, Kuressaare, Tallinn, Tartu (Estonia); Helsinki, Kotka, Lahti, Tampere (Finland); Berlin, Lubeck, Rostock (Germany); Liepaja (Latvia), Kaunas, Klaipeda, Marijampole, Palanga, Panevezys (Lithuania); Gdynia, Koszalin, Pruszcz Gd. (Poland); Kalmar, Karlskrona, Linkoping, Sundsvall (Sweden).