Barrier-Free Environment: A Guarantee of Human Dignity and Equal Opportunities

Today, large-scale reforms are being implemented in our country aimed at the full integration of persons with disabilities into the political, economic, and social life of society. In this direction, a solid legal framework has been established - the Law “On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”, the revised “Urban Planning Code”, and the Presidential Decree “On additional measures to create a favorable and barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities” serve to protect the interests of this category of citizens.

In order to ensure the implementation of these documents, the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services has established strict standards for the design of parking lots, infrastructure, and construction projects, adapting them to the needs of persons with disabilities.

Specifically, in the Khorezm region, during the 2023-2025 period, more than 20 cultural heritage sites were fully adapted for persons with limited physical capabilities. In particular, in the “Ichan-Kala” State Museum-Reserve in the city of Khiva, ramps and convenient handrails were installed at about 20 historical sites. Additionally, sign language interpretation services have been launched at the “Kunya Ark” and “Islam Khoja” madrasas for visitors with hearing and speech impairments.

Work in this direction is also an important factor in increasing the region’s tourism potential. The development of inclusive tourism further enhances the region's prestige on the international stage.

Significant conveniences for persons with disabilities are also being created in the transport sector.

Specifically, during the 2024-2026 period, the public transport fleet of the city of Urgench is being replenished with more than 100 modern buses specially adapted for persons with disabilities, which are now serving the public.

Additionally, the Urgench International Airport and railway stations have been fully equipped with specialized lifting devices and wheelchairs.

As an important direction of reforms to create a barrier-free environment, special attention is also being paid to the adaptation of newly built multi-story residential buildings to the needs of persons with disabilities.

Specifically, taking the example of the “New Uzbekistan” massifs, inclusivity criteria based on international standards are strictly established as early as the design stage.

Today, the slope of ramps at the entrance to residential buildings, the width of elevators, the presence of control buttons in special Braille, and the absence of obstacles in inter-floor passages have become mandatory conditions for design and estimate documentation.

From now on, the fulfillment of requirements for creating a “barrier-free environment” in the work of state commissions for the acceptance of facilities into operation is evaluated not just as a recommendation, but as the primary and most strict criterion. If the necessary conditions for persons with limited capabilities are not created in a building, the commissioning of such a facility is not permitted.

Creating a barrier-free environment is not merely a technical task, but a practical expression of honoring human dignity and establishing social justice. After all, ensuring that citizens with limited capabilities find their place in society and increasing their economic and social activity ultimately serves the sustainable development of our state.