Today, the Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan participated in the closing conference of the project on protection of social rights of persons with disabilities implemented by Pyunik and Access organizations.
He highlighted the importance of the results achieved by the project and emphasized the role of NGOs in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and creating equal opportunities for them.
"As a result of the stereotypes among the public, people with disabilities are often not regarded as full-fledged right holders and members of society. The issue is that persons with disabilities have not been referred to as full-fledged subjects of law and their right to live independently was not emphasized because of the medical model of disability implemented for many years. Therefore, it is extremely important to ensure the transition from medical to social or the so-called human rights model of disability that will break the existing stereotypes," Arman Tatoyan said.
The Defender stressed the necessity of creating an accessible environment and vehicles adapted for persons with disabilities which would enable them to exercise their rights on an equal basis with others.
"Information accessibility is also extremely important for persons with disabilities, as it contributes to independent decision-making, increases awareness of their rights and opportunities and promotes the integration of persons with disabilities into society," Arman Tatoyan noted.
He expressed his readiness to work with the stakeholders to find fundamental solutions to the issues existing in the field, reminding that, as a result of the recent legislative reforms, the Defender has been authorized to carry out monitoring on the state of implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and on the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.
During the conference, opening remarks were also made by the project organizers, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mr. Piotr Świtalski, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Dunja Mijatovic, RA Minister of Labor and Social Issues Mrs. Mane Tandilyan, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan Ms. Loretta Vioiu.
During the event, the participants, including the members of the Defender’s Office, who had successfully completed the Council of Europe HELP distance learning course on the rights of people with disabilities, were granted their diplomas.