Social integration system for the disabled

The social integration system for the disabled comprises provision of medical, professional and social rehabilitation services, provision for special needs using special assistance tools, support to employment of the disabled, social assistance, award and payment of pensions and benefits of the State Social Insurance Fund, award and payment of benefits of the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund, provision of education services, ensuring equal opportunities to participate in cultural, sports and other areas of public life. 

The social integration system for the disabled is funded from the national budget, municipal budgets, State Social Insurance Fund, Compulsory Health Insurance Fund, Employment Fund, Structural Funds of the European Union and other legitimate financial resources.

The Law on Social Integration of the Disabled, which entered into force on 1 July 2005, defined new terms and definitions, modified the methods of disability assessment used for children and adults, stipulated equal rights and opportunities of the disabled in the society thereby bringing closer the social integration model for the disabled to the model used in EU countries. 

To implement the provisions of the new Law and ensure high-quality assessment of the level of capacity for work and disability level as well as settlement of disputes concerning the disability level and capacity for work level, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour reorganised, from 1 July 2005, the State Medical Social Expertise Commission under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour by dividing it into the Disability and Capacity for Work Service under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour and the Dispute Commission under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour.

The Service decides on matters concerning:

• the level, cause, time of appearance and period of disability;
• the level, cause, time of appearance and period of capacity for work;
• the need for professional rehabilitation services for individuals under 18 who are (were) covered by state social insurance and individuals over 18;
• the nature and conditions for work of the disabled;
• general initial determination of special needs of the disabled. 

The Dispute Commission was set up as an independent body for reviewing the disputes concerning the capacity for work level and disability level to ensure quality and independent system of dispute settlement.

From 1 July 2005, the disabled people over 18 until they reach the age for the old-age pension are awarded the capacity for work level instead of the disability group.

The capacity for work level is set at the interval of 5 percentage points, i.e. if the person is recognised as having 0–25% of the capacity for work, he is deemed to be incapable for work; in cases of 30–55% of the capacity as partially capable and in cases of 60–100% of the capacity as capable for work.

The Law on Social Integration of the Disabled pays particular attention to professional rehabilitation. Professional rehabilitation is defined as rehabilitation or improvement of an individual's capacity for work, professional competence and ability to participate in the labour market by using educational, social, psychological, rehabilitation and other measures. There are the following professional rehabilitation services: professional guidance, consultation, assessment, rehabilitation or development of professional skills, re-qualification. Professional rehabilitation is aimed at developing or rehabilitating the capacity for work and improving the possibilities to find work by the disabled. After completion of the professional rehabilitation programme, the Disability and Capacity for Work Service determines the final level of capacity for work.

To ensure better support for the special needs of the disabled, the new Law provides a systemic approach to meeting the special needs by using special assistance measures. Special assistance measures are the measures aimed at meeting the special need and ensure equal opportunities for the disabled for education, vocational training, social and full integration into the society. The municipalities are responsible for establishing the level of special needs of the disabled.

Disabled people receive the following general social services: interpretation into the sign language, provision with compensatory equipment, assistants, guides, housing adaptation, transportation, information and consulting, assistance at home, care homes, assistance benefits, meals, provision with basic necessities, etc. Where the general social services are inefficient, people receive special social services. They are provided at fixed and mobile social care and rehabilitation institutions.