The meeting of the National Commission on Disability Issues was chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, which was also attended by representatives of civil society.

Before discussing the agenda issues, Nikol Pashinyan noted in his speech that it is already a tradition to meet every year on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. "I know that we have not made a revolution in this area during the past year or in recent years in general, sometimes for objective, sometimes for subjective reasons. Naturally, against this background, the question arises: what is our strategy in this case, what should we do? The strategy is the same: we must be consistent and constantly return to the topic," the Prime Minister said.

According to the Prime Minister, it is obvious that the Government understands the importance of the issue. “We consider the importance of the issue, including in the logic of Armenia’s state interests. Why do I say including? Because it is clear that the issue of persons with disabilities is a human rights issue, a matter of various dimensions, but we also consider the issue in the logic of serving Armenia’s state interests, based on the premise that the state interest of the Republic of Armenia is the economic development of the Republic of Armenia. Therefore, we see a huge potential for development among people with disabilities, which we are unable to sufficiently and properly include in the development agenda of the Republic of Armenia. Naturally, if we look at it from the opposite perspective, this will also ensure the well-being of these people to a certain extent, adequate living conditions, and inclusion,” said Nikol Pashinyan, adding that this is precisely the main political message of meetings in this format. The Prime Minister emphasized that each time we must return, try, find answers to questions, summarize the work done, and point out future tasks.

Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Arsen Torosyan presented the political vision in the sphere of issues of persons with disabilities, program initiatives. The Minister noted that the National Assembly adopted the laws "On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" and "On the Assessment of the Functionality of a Person" and a transition was made from the medical model to the model of rights and inclusion. As of November 1, 197,046 persons with disabilities, including 9,356 children, are included in the previous and new systems. 24.4% of them, i.e. 48,211 persons, including 4,600 children, have already been assessed by the functionality assessment system.

According to Arsen Torosyan, the new assessment system provides a data-based policy, which allows developing targeted services according to age, type of limitation and real needs. It was noted that the Personal Assistant service has also been introduced since 2024, which is currently used by 204 citizens. The program has a prerequisite: an educational and employment component. The Minister informed that it is planned to ensure the continuity and expansion of the program. Arsen Torosyan also informed that the activities of small “Group Homes”, which provide transitional care services from large institutions to the community, are being expanded. Currently, 70 people with mental health and intellectual problems receive round-the-clock care in 5 small Group Homes in conditions close to the family. Recently, the Gavar Orphanage SNCO has also been transformed into a service providing care close to the family. The first “Independent Life” center is being built in Armavir region, which will provide speech therapy, psychological support, special pedagogy and other services according to individual needs.

The Minister of Social Affairs noted that the opportunities for living in the community are also being expanded through home care services. From 2025, home care services will also be provided to children with disabilities, at the rate of 170 children per month. According to Arsen Torosyan, these services are also planned to be expanded. In total, 1,325 citizens use home care services, of which 624 are people with disabilities.

The state budget allocations to support measures has also increased in the last 3 years. For this purpose, in 2025, expenditures will reach about 2.5 billion drams, and for 2026, more than 3 billion drams are planned. In 2025, 33,000 support measures were provided to more than 15,000 citizens. “These are not separate programs, this is our strategy for the complete transformation of services, the goal of which is clear: services should reach people, and not people to services,” summarized Arsen Torosyan.

A discussion was then held on issues related to ensuring accessible conditions for the social inclusion of people with disabilities, as well as creating equal opportunities. Representatives of public organizations asked questions about existing problems in the field to representatives of the executive branch and received clarifications.

Nikol Pashinyan, summarizing the work of the commission session, emphasized the need to promote the involvement of persons with disabilities in the labor market. In this context, the Prime Minister once again emphasized the importance of education.

The Prime Minister instructed to establish an interdepartmental commission, which will also include representatives of civil society, to carry out coordinated and effective work to resolve existing issues in the field.