Social issues under scrutiny. - Accessibility remains an area with plenty of work to complete.
Based on Joachim Leibiger's statement, there is a considerable amount of work left to be done in Thuringia regarding accessibility. "There has been significant progress, including in Thuringia, but there are still numerous catch-up preferences," remarked Leibiger on Tuesday upon showcasing his activity report at the state parliament in Erfurt. As mentioned in the report, various medical facilities such as doctors' surgeries, physiotherapy and psychotherapy practices, and pharmacies lack accessibility. Although digitalization has recorded rapid progress, the same situation does not prevail when it comes to digital accessibility.
The report recommends linking funding to accessibility in areas such as housing, construction, transport, mobility, and digital accessibility. In addition, there are proposals for the expansion of accessibility funding programs. Several funds have been exhausted within a short period, as noted by Leibiger.
A significant section of the report relates to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the obstacles faced by people with disabilities during this period. Disabled persons were subjected to restrictions that prohibited them from working in workshops, visiting restrictions in care and nursing homes, and in some cases, exemption certificates for medical masks were not recognized.
In certain instances, the impact of the pandemic was more severe on people with disabilities compared to others. "Not all individuals we interviewed could handle the psychological pressure associated with the pandemic's effects," Leibiger revealed, sharing the heart-wrenching accounts mentioned in the paper.
Thuringia's Minister President Bodo Ramelow (Left Party) agreed that the report's coverage of the pandemic was essential. Ramelow emphasized the need for an honest, unbiased, and fair approach to the pandemic's assessment at both federal and state levels. "I'm advocating for a calm reassessment at federal and state levels," Ramelow stated.
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Source: www.stern.de
