What Happened
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Kazakhstan continues its systematic work to create an accessible and barrier-free environment for people with disabilities. As of September 1 of this year, 32,802 social infrastructure facilities have already been adapted in the country. This is the result of consistent efforts that cover various aspects of everyday life.
By the end of 2026, the ministry plans to increase the number of adapted facilities to 34,573. Thus, the task has already been completed by more than nine-tenths, and in the coming months, the remaining facilities from the approved list should be adapted to the barrier-free environment.
Which Facilities Are Affected
The adaptation concerns places that individuals visit regularly and where it is important to ensure equal access. Among the already adapted facilities are:
- educational organizations — schools, colleges, and other educational institutions;
- healthcare institutions — clinics, hospitals, and medical centers;
- cultural institutions — libraries, museums, cultural centers;
- government institutions where people receive services and certificates;
- trade and service facilities — shops, household service points, and other places of mass visitation.
Adaptation means creating conditions under which a person with a disability can independently and safely enter a building and use its services: ramps, handrails, widened doorways, tactile elements, accessible sanitary facilities, and other solutions for a barrier-free environment.
Who Is Affected
First and foremost, the changes are important for people with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs, as well as for individuals with visual and hearing impairments. However, the accessible environment is beneficial to a much broader audience: elderly people, parents with strollers, pregnant women, and individuals with temporary injuries.
For managers of organizations and entrepreneurs, this serves as a guideline: trade and service facilities are also within the scope of work, meaning accessibility becomes a part of the normal practice of serving visitors.
What to Do
If you are a person with a disability or accompanying such a person, it is useful to clarify in advance whether a specific facility is equipped with elements of an accessible environment and to report deficiencies directly to the organization or local social protection authorities — this helps identify problem areas.
If you manage an institution or run a business, it is advisable to assess your own facility in terms of accessibility: the presence of ramps and handrails, the width of passages, the accessibility of the entrance group and restroom, informational and tactile signs. For questions regarding the requirements and procedures for adaptation, refer to the explanations from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population and local executive bodies.
Deadlines
The key milestone is the end of 2026, by which it is planned to adapt 34,573 facilities. The interim result as of September 1 is 32,802 facilities. The work is systematic and ongoing, so the number of accessible facilities will increase as planned activities are completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many facilities have already been adapted in Kazakhstan? — As of September 1 of this year, 32,802 social infrastructure facilities have been adapted.
How many facilities are planned to be made accessible by the end of 2026? — By the end of 2026, it is planned to adapt 34,573 facilities.
Which specific facilities contribute to a barrier-free environment? — Educational and healthcare organizations, cultural institutions, government institutions, as well as trade and service facilities.
Who is conducting this work? — The work is carried out by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan as part of creating an accessible and barrier-free environment.
What is meant by the adaptation of a facility? — This refers to creating conditions under which a person with a disability can independently and safely enter a building and use its services, for example, through ramps, handrails, and other elements of an accessible environment.
Sources
- More than 32,000 facilities in Kazakhstan have become more accessible for people with disabilities — Ministry of Labor of the RK (gov.kz)