Country Profile on Disability: Republic of Uzbekistan

Abstract

[Excerpt] The Law on "Social Security of Disabled People in the Republic of Uzbekistan, Article 1" defines a person with disability as one who is in need of aid because he/she has physical or mental problems. Daily activities such as moving, orientation, speech, behavioral control, and/or work on one's own are completely or partly limited. In Uzbekistan, persons with disabilities are screened in two steps. Firstly, a diagnosis is given by the hospitals where each person is registered according to his/her residential addresses. Secondly, persons with disabilities receive referrals to the Medicine Labour Expert Commissions (MLEC) of their respective district, which determines the grade of disability. Regarding reception of social security benefits, the MLEC defines persons with disabilities by legislature in accordance with national traditions, international norms, and the economic resources of Uzbekistan. According to the causes of disabilities, persons with disabilities are divided into three general groups: (1) Disability caused by genetic diseases, (2) Disability caused by acquired diseases, and (3) Disability caused by industrial injury such as traffic accidents, industrial accidents, and natural disasters.