Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
World Federation of the Deaf - WFD

Greece

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997

Greek Federation of the Deaf, Greece
Compare with the following Country Report(s): the Greek Government, DPI, RI

General policy

The officially recognized disability policy is expressed in law, in guidelines adopted by the government, in policy adopted by political parties and in policy adopted by NGOs. The emphasis in this policy - in descending scale - is on rehabilitation, prevention, anti-discrimination law, accessibility measures and individual support.

Since the adoption of the Rules, the government has not done anything to convey the message of full participation. The Government, however, states having taken the following actions: relevant spots on TV and various events relating to the International Day of Disabled Persons. A recent law (1995) provides for TV and Radio time to be allocated for awareness raising messages. The proposed legislation recognizes the International Day of the Disabled.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by special legislation and general legislation.

General legislation applies to persons with different disabilities with respect to education, employment, the right to marriage, the right to parenthood family, political rights, access to court of law, the right to privacy and property rights. The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: health and medical care, training, rehabilitation and counselling, financial security, employment and independent living. According to the Government, even the benefit of participation in decisions affecting themselves is guaranteed by law.

No new legislation concerning disability has been enacted, since the adoption of the Rules.

Accessibility

Sign language for deaf people has no officially recognized status. There are government measures to encourage media to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities. But there are no government measures to make other forms of public information services accessible to persons with disabilities.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is a national umbrella organization (The National Confederation of Disabled Persons). There are legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making and to work with governmental institutions. Organizations of persons with disabilities are sometimes consulted, when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations occur at the national level. According to the Government, consultations take place also at the regional and local levels. The government financially supports existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in government, legislatures, political parties, but to a great extent in judicial authorities and NGOs. The role of organizations of persons with disabilities is to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, identify needs and priorities, participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of services and measures concerning the lives of persons with disabilities, contribute to public awareness, provide services and promote/organize income generating activities.

Co-ordination of work

There is no national co-ordinating committee or any similar body.

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Contents of the WFD Report | Compare with the following Country Report(s): the Greek Government, DPI, RI