Government policies regarding people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ individuals, Roma, and the homeless were the focus of an interview given by the Minister of State, George Gerapetritis, on ERA’s First Channel, and as he noted from the outset, «National action plans of this kind, which concern the most vulnerable groups among our fellow citizens, are the ones that mitigate social inequalities and lead to a true democracy.».
He went on to say, immediately reminding everyone that it was the National Action Plan on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the first initiative undertaken by the current government after winning a vote of confidence in the summer of 2019.
«The National Plan brought together all the individual initiatives, placing them under a single umbrella with six pillars and 30 actions. What sets this apart is that, unlike other policies being developed in the country, the 30 individual actions have a designated implementing agency, specific, quantified funding, and a specific implementation timeline,» he also noted, adding that «we are monitoring the implementation of the individual actions in real time through a computerized system, identifying where any delays occur and where coordination is needed; we are fully on track with the plan.».
As for the specific actions, «the administrative codification of all legislation concerning people with disabilities has been completed. The legislation was so scattered across as many as 20 ministries that making it nearly impossible for a fellow citizen with a disability to figure out how to exercise a right granted by law,» acknowledged the Minister of State. However, «now, in a single, user-friendly document that has been posted online and is accessible in all formats, anyone can look up any right to which they are entitled.».
Another initiative is the activation of the National Accessibility Authority, which was «a demand of the disability rights movement—it was the first demand made of us,» and is nothing more than the mechanism that monitors the implementation of the National Action Plan.
Furthermore, on ame.gov.gr. – «the most accessible website in Europe» – the plan to document the accessibility of all public buildings in the country is available, with 31,000 entries. The Minister of State emphasized that «we have funding from the Recovery Fund to ensure physical accessibility,» while also noting that «we were faced with a situation that does not reflect well on our country at all.» Priority has been given to schools, healthcare facilities, and sports venues, he added.
He also mentioned the Acropolis funicular, thanks to which «this jewel of world culture is made accessible,» adding that «the …luxurious approach—“we leave everything untouched, and whoever can get access, let them”—does not sit well with me at all.».
At the same time, «the new personal assistant program is being implemented for the first time: the first phase of the program is being piloted in Attica and the Argosaronic Islands for 1,000 people, followed (in the second phase) by other regions for another 1,000 people by the end of the year.» However, acknowledging «the complaint from our fellow citizens that we did not plan from the outset for the positions to be distributed throughout the country,» he explained that «because the program is highly complex, it was absolutely necessary to be able to conduct on-site inspections. »As early as the beginning of next year, we will have 2,000 personal assistants, all fully trained,” he added.
Taking the opportunity, the minister—speaking also in his other capacity as a professor of constitutional law—emphatically noted that, since 2001, the Constitution «has established autonomy and participation in the country’s economic, social, and political life as pillars of the free development of the individual for all persons with disabilities. »I believe that we will gradually implement these two pillars—participation and autonomy—to the greatest extent possible,” he added.
Another «extremely important» measure is deinstitutionalization; however, «unfortunately, some institutions are still in operation. Our goal is to ensure that they cease to exist in their current structure and form. »Previously, a medical model prevailed; we are moving toward a more rights-based approach,« was the key phrase used by G. Gerapetritis, who also praised, in closing, the civil servants who embraced this initiative, noting that »they worked very hard across all ministries and agencies.« From now on, »in every municipality and region, in every agency and ministry, there is a designated official who handles issues related to people with disabilities.”.
The interview then turned to the National Plan for the Rights of the LGBTQI+ Community, which was also developed under the auspices of the Office of the Prime Minister. Here, he referred to two initiatives that he described as “landmark”: the right of LGBTQI+ individuals to donate blood and the ban on conversion therapy.
On the issue of same-sex marriage, the Minister of State went on to assure, as he put it, that «once consultations with all social organizations and stakeholders are complete, we will be in a position to introduce a completely reasonable, fair, and equitable model for all our fellow citizens.» He added: «We have demonstrated our commitment without calculating the political cost, and as far as I am concerned, when it comes to citizens» rights, we will spare no effort whatsoever.”.
Finally, mention was also made of the Roma and the homeless, for whom «we have very specific plans currently being developed, at the initiative of Secretary-General Stamatis.» Specifically, for the Roma, there is «a comprehensive framework for their further integration into the community,» while for the homeless, «multiple programs have been implemented.».
In conclusion, «all these initiatives share a common feature, just like those for our LGBTQI and disabled fellow citizens: inclusive policies—we are committed to ensuring that all citizens are included. All our fellow citizens will have a fair share of development; no one will be left behind,» the Minister of State pledged in closing.
