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April 11, 2007
Mongolian National Rehabilitation Center
I had a great opportunity to visit Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from March 30 to April 3, 2007.
And there it was observed that buildings, transportations and any other public places were not accessible even the office of orgnization of persons with disabilities.
For example, there are at least ten of steps in front of the most of the doors or entrances.
As is mentioned by a Mongolian wheelchair user, these environmental barriers were the major obstables for persons with disabilities to participate in the society.
I had the chance to visit several organizations which related to person with disability.
National Rehabilitation Center provides prosthetic and orthopedic, medical rehabilitation in-patient sevices, vocational trainings for the persons with disabilities.
Inspite of deligent work of doctors and staff at the NRC, the center faces some serious problems such as lack of trained staff and appropriate clinic facilities. To cover the lack of skilled staff, a Jica Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) is being sent there as an occupational therapist and his work and contribution to the center is being much appreciated.
I hope that the environmental accessibility will be improved as soon as possible so that people with disbailities in Mongolia can go out and participate more in the society and that the public services for persons with disabilities such as NRC will be improved through grassroots cooperation between Monglia and Japan.
Kana Kumai
Posted by jicafriends at April 11, 2007 03:24 PM