In public services related to social security benefits, are the communication and delivery of the service accessible to all persons with disabilities?
The accessibility of public services’ communication and delivery refers to accessible formats (Braille, audible, easy to read and understand) but also to the level of training that staff receive in order to be able to deal with citizens with all kind of disabilities. “Social security benefits” means the economic assistance provided by the government in case of retirement or unemployment; also independent living support schemes or health insurance. If “Yes” or “Yes ,with qualifications” please describe any significant differences between the legal situation and the reality of everyday life.

Relates to Convention Article:

  • No.9, Accessibility

In detail

Article 21 prescribes that the State Parties shall provide information intended for the general public to persons with disabilities in accessible formats and technologies appropriate to different kinds of disability in a timely manner and without additional cost.

The question is restricted to public services related social security benefits in order to provide respondents with a concrete case (and, in particular, in one important field with which they deal with on a continuous basis) on which they can base their answers. In addition, the question asks for the level of training of the staff, to point out also the obligation derived from Article 9 section (c) on the need to “provide training for stakeholders on accessibility issues facing persons with disabilities”.