The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 13 December 2006. The Polish government signed it on 20 March 2007, and Poland ratified the Convention on 6 September 2012. The purpose of the Convention is to protect people with disabilities and ensure that they fully exercise human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal footing with all other citizens. Poland is obliged to implement the standards of conduct contained in the Convention to ensure that people with disabilities execute their rights.

Ambitious goals

Supporting other people is the mission of the Law and Justice government – said Minister Marlena Maląg, opening the conference.

This includes activities for people with disabilities – eliminating the barriers they face. The funds allocated for this purpose by the government are constantly and significantly increasing: in 2015, they amounted to PLN 15 billion, this year, it is already over PLN 37 billion, which includes significant amounts transferred by the State Fund for Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities and an additional PLN 800 million from the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers.

Minister Maląg pointed out that the establishment of the Solidarity Fund, enabling the implementation of programmes such as Personal Assistant, Care 75+ or Care and Housing Centres, is a practical implementation of the commitments made.

We change reality

The Accessibility Plus programme is the first comprehensive approach to accessibility in Poland. Its purpose is to ensure that people with special needs have free access to goods and services and can participate in social and public life. Our focus is on adapting public space, architecture, transport, and products to the requirements of all citizens.

Prime Minister’s letter

Minister Marlena Maląg read a letter from Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki addressed to the organisers and participants of the conference.

People with disabilities let us feel their presence and participate in their lives – wrote the Prime Minister.

He reminded that as a result of various random events, each of us can find ourselves in such a situation. Therefore, our common goal must be the full inclusion of all members of our community in life in society. This includes the rights to education, employment and independent living. These rights are enshribed in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Level the playing field

Paweł Wdówik, Government Plenipotentiary for Persons with Disabilities, pointed out that the high rank of the conference shows that the issues of people with disabilities are treated by the government as its priority.

The act on ensuring equal opportunities, being developed by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy in cooperation with social partners, will be the final step in the implementation of the Strategy. It will guarantee the right to independent life and self-determination – said Deputy Minister Wdówik.

In his opinion, the 2021 Strategy for People with Disabilities has already fundamentally changed the outlook – from rehabilitation-oriented to one based on equal rights. Housing and inclusive education programmes are also based on this approach.

Lectures and panels

During the conference, thematic lectures and two discussion panels were held: “Education and Employment" and “Independent Living of People with Disabilities”.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy and the Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Persons with Disabilities.