The event was organized by the State Committee of Uzbekistan on Architecture and Construction and UNDP in Uzbekistan, represented by joint project of UNDP and Ministry of Labour and Social Protection “Inclusive Employment and Social Partnership”.

Specialists of the State Committee of Uzbekistan on Architecture and Construction, its regional branches and leading experts of design organizations participated at the event. It was also attended by representatives of Uzbek Society of People with disabilities, UNDP, and mass media.

Free access to buildings and establishments, transport and information are one of fundamental human rights.

According to statistics, currently there are 780,000 people with disabilities in Uzbekistan. Some 8.5% of them are people with disability of the first group, 71% - second group and 20.5% - third group. About 97,000 people with disabilities are under age of 16.

Currently, system of social protection of people with disabilities is under cardinal reform. Uzbekistan moves away from undifferentiated approach to targeted approach of determining level of disability.

However, there are some shortages on accessibility of buildings to people with disabilities. There are no railings, inaccessible toilets, slippery marble floors and ladders.

The Government enacted laws on ensuring access to buildings to people with disabilities, but private sector is not fully ensure accessibility for them.

During the event, the participants considered issues on creation of accessible environment for people with disabilities, existing problems, etc.