Overview
Country
Armenia
1/ Background Statistics
Human development index rank
76 1
GNI per capita (PPP in US$)
5,495 1
Life expectancy at birth (years)
74.2 1
Mean years of schooling (years)
10.8 1
Expected years of schooling (years)
11.9 1
Total population
3,092,000 2
2/ Disability Statistics
Population of persons with disabilities
185,080 3
Proportion of persons with disabilities to
total population
5.7 per cent 3
Employment rate of persons with
disabilities
9 per cent 3
Access to education
1.2 per cent 4
3/ Definitions
Definition of disability
Government Decision No.750-N of 13 June
2003 is “…a social insufficiency, appeared as
a result of constant disorder of organism
functions conditioned by sicknesses, injuries
or defects, which brings to restriction of life
activity and the need of social protection.”
Definition of persons with disabilities
“[A] person, who as a result of mental and
physical disorders and limited vital activity
needs social support and protection.” (ESCAP
2006, Q 19)
Categories of impairment
Government Decision No.750-N of 13 June
2003: People with disabilities are divided into
three groups, depending on the level of their
impairments. Group one includes people with
the most severe disabilities, group two refers
to those with average-level functional
limitations and group three includes people
with minor disabilities.
4/ Commitment to International Instruments on Disability
Ratification or signatory of the Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(CRPD), and its Optional Protocol
Signed Convention on 30 March 2007;
Signed Optional Protocol on 30 March 2007;
Ratified Convention on 22 September 2010 5
Ratification of ILO Convention 159
No 6
Overview
Country
Armenia
Ratification or signatory of the Convention
on Cluster Munitions
No 7
Ratification or signatory of the Convention
on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling,
Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Mines and on their Destruction
No 8
5/ Legal Framework
Constitution of the Republic of Armenia
(1995a, chap. II, art. 33)
Constitutional provisions
Disability-specific laws
Comprehensive
Law on Social Protection of People with
Disabilities (1993)
Sectoral
Cover: early detection, intervention and
education; training and employment; access to
the built environment; poverty alleviation and
social security
Disability-inclusive laws
Cover: early detection, intervention and
education; training and employment; labour;
access to the built environment; poverty
alleviation and social security
6/ Policy Framework
Disability-specific policies
Comprehensive
National Strategy for Social Protection of
Persons with Disabilities in Armenia 20062015
Sectoral
Cover: Rehabilitation, accessibility, education,
employment, social protection, social
partnership, awareness raising
Disability-inclusive
..
7/ Institutional Framework
The national coordination mechanism or
disability focal point
Ministry of Labour and Social Issues and
The National Commission on Issues of
Persons with Disabilities
Sources:
1. United Nations Development Programme (2010). Human Development Report 2010 (New
York, UNDP).
2. United Nations (2011). World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision, accessed from
http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/index.htm on 15 July 2011.
3. Kristina Hovhannisyan, Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, electronic communication with
ESCAP dated 4 April 2011.
4. ESCAP (2006). Questionnaire on the Mid-point Review of the Implementation of the Biwako
Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society
5.
6.
7.
8.
for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF), answers from the respective
Government on file with ESCAP.
United Nations (2011). “Convention and Optional Protocol Signatures and Ratifications”, on
the United Nations Enable website, accessed from
www.un.org/disabilities/countries.asp?navid=12&pid=166 on 17 October 2011.
International Labour Organization (2011). “Convention No. C 159”, accessed
from www.ilo.org/ilolex/cgi-lex/ratifce.pl?C159 on 17 October 2011.
Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) (2008). “Ratifications and Signatures”, accessed from
www.clusterconvention.org/ratifications-and-signatures on 17 October 2011.
Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of AntiPersonnel Mines and on their Destruction (1997). “State Parties and Signatories”, accessed
from
www.unog.ch/80256EE600585943/(httpPages)/6E65F97C9D695724C12571C0003D09EF?O
penDocument on 17 October 2011.
Notes:
Comprehensive
1. Definitions
a) Disability
According to the Government Decision No.750-N of 13 June 2003: “On Approval of
the Classifiers and Criteria for Assigning Disability Groups during Medico-Social Expertise”,
disability is “a social insufficiency, appeared as a result of constant disorder of organism
functions conditioned by sicknesses, injuries or defects, which brings to restriction of life
activity and the need of social protection.” (Armenia 2003)
b) Persons with disabilities
According to a survey conducted by ESCAP, Armenia defines person with disability as
“[A] person, who as a result of mental and physical disorders and limited vital activity needs
social support and protection.” (ESCAP 2006, Q 19)
c) Categories of impairment

Government Decision No.750-N of 13 June 2003: “On Approval of the
Classifiers and Criteria for Assigning Disability Groups during MedicoSocial Expertise.”
[English] – [Armenian]
The Decision (Armenia 2003) empowers Medico-Social Expert Commissions to assign
the official status of “a person with disability”.
People with disabilities are divided into three groups, depending on the level of their
impairments. Group one includes people with the most severe disabilities, group two refers to
those with average-level functional limitations and group three includes people with minor
disabilities.
2. Legal framework
a) Constitutional provisions

Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, 1995 (amended in 2005)
[English] – [Armenian]
The disability-related provisions under the Constitution (Armenia 1995a) are as follows:


Chapter 2 on Fundamental Human and Civil Rights and Freedoms:
Article 14.1 states that “[E]veryone shall be equal before the law. Any discrimination
based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic
features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a
national minority, property, birth, disability, age or other personal or social
circumstances shall be prohibited.” (Armenia 1995a, chap. 2, art. 14.1)
Article 37 states that “[E]veryone shall have the right to social security during old age,
disability, loss of bread-winner, unemployment and other cases prescribed by the law.
The extent and forms of social security shall be prescribed by the law.”(Armenia
1995a, chap. 2, art. 37)
Article 48 stipulates that “[T]he basic tasks of the state in the economic, social and
cultural spheres are: ... (7) to carry out a policy of preventive care, treatment and
integration of the handicapped.” (Armenia 1995a, chap. 2, art. 48 (7))


b) Disability-specific laws and regulations
i. Comprehensive disability-specific laws and regulations

Law on the Social Protection of People with Disabilities, 1993 (last amended
in 2002)
[English] – [Armenian]
The Law on the Social Protection of People with Disabilities (Armenia 1993) is the basic
law which regulates the issues on the social welfare of the persons with disabilities in
Armenia.
Article 3 of the Law on the Social Protection of People with Disabilities in the Republic of
Armenia stipulates that “[P]eople with disabilities have the same rights, freedoms and
obligations as other persons.”
The provisions of the Law on Social Protection of People with Disabilities in the Republic of
Armenia include rehabilitation, education, professional study, guaranties of labour rights,
accessible environment and social care.
ii. Sectoral disability-specific laws and regulations
Early Detection, Intervention and Education

Law on Education of People with Special Educational Needs, 2005
[English] - [Armenian]

Government Decision on the list of diseases which grant the right to athome education for people with special educational needs, 2006
[English] – [Armenian]
..
..
Training and Employment

Government Decision on Financial Support to Unemployed and Disabled
People for State Registration of their Businesses, 2006
[English] – [Armenian]
..
Access to Built Environment and Public Transportation

Government Decision on Accessibility of Social, Transportation and
Engineering Infrastructure for People with Disabilities and Population with
Limited Mobility, 2006
[English] – [Armenian]
..
Poverty Alleviation through Capacity-building, Social Security and Sustainable
Livelihood Programmes

Decision No. 44 On Approval of the Strategy of Social Protection of People
with Disabilities for 2006-2015
[English] – [Armenian]

Government Decision on Elderly and Disabled Citizens’ Care Provision,
2007
[English] – [Armenian]

Government regulation No. 162 on “The determination of the amount of the
basic pension”, 1999
[English] – [Armenian]
..
..
..
c) Disability-inclusive laws and regulations

Early Detection, Intervention and Education Medical Care Law, 2004
[English] – [Armenian]

Government Decision on Approving the Lists of Population’s Social Groups
and Diseases Granting the Right to Free of Charge or Discounted
Medications, 2006
[English] – [Armenian]

Training and Employment Government Decision on the Procedure, Size and
Conditions of Compensation of Non-Competitive Persons. Government
..
..
Decision on Organizing Vocational Training for Unemployed and NonCompetitive Groups of Job Seekers, 2006
[English] – [Armenian]
..

Labor Code, 2004
[English] – [Armenian]
Under Article 141 of the Labor Code (Armenia 2004), persons with disabilities may
require their employers to provide for a flexible schedule for such employees (based on
medical examination). This Law also contains some other additional protections for
employees with disabilities.
Access to Built Environment and Public Transportation

Law On Urban Development
[English] – [Armenian]
Articles 10, 15, and 16 of the Armenian Law On Urban Development contains
provisions obliging construction companies to ensure accessibility of newly constructed and
repaired buildings for people with disabilities.

Norms on Establishing Construction Norms of Buildings Accessibility for
Groups with Limited Mobility, 2006
[English] – [Armenian]
The Norms (Armenia 2006i) set standards for accessibility of buildings for groups with
limited mobility, including persons with disabilities. These norms are obligatory for all
construction companies and may serve as a real mechanism for improving accessibility in
the country.
Poverty Alleviation through Capacity-building, Social Security and Sustainable
Livelihood Programmes

Law on State Pensions, 1995 (last amended in 1998)
[English] – [Armenian]
The Law on State Pensions (Armenia 1995b) provides pension benefits to persons with
disabilities. The Law establishes two types of pensions: insurance and social. A person who
has had work experience before the case of disability receives insurance pension, while a
person who has no work experience or has had a disability from childhood receives social
pension (which is less than insurance pension).

Law on Social Security for Military Servants and Their Family Members,
1998
[English] – [Armenian]
..
3. Policies and plans
a) Disability-specific policies and plans
i. Comprehensive disability-specific policies and plans

Strategy for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities in Armenia for
2006-2015
[English] – [Armenian]
The Strategy for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities in Armenia for 20062015 (Armenia 2006) is aimed at integrating persons with disabilities and ensuring their full
participation in all aspects of the Armenian society. The Strategy provides for health, medical,
social, and psychological rehabilitation, access to mainstream education, transportation,
communication, education, employment, human resources development, social protection
and other areas.
ii. Sectoral disability-specific policies and plans
..
b) Disability-inclusive policies and plans
..
4. Institutional framework and Government focal point

Ministry of Labour and Social Issues
The focal point for disability policy and planning at the level of the national Government
is the Ministry of Labour and Social Issues. The Department of Disabled and Elderly People’s
Issues under the Ministry is specifically responsible for developing disability policy.
Ministry of Labour and Social Issues
Tel: +3741 526831, 565383
Department on Disabled and Elderly People Issues
Head of Department: Artur Kesoyan
Tel: +3741 521761
Website: www.mss.am/home/index.php?home#, www.disabilityarmenia.am
The National Commission on Issues of Persons with Disabilities
Established under Decision No. 98-N issued on 26 February 2008, the National
Commission on Issues of Persons with Disabilities serves as the coordination mechanism on
disabilities issues.
The Commission is composed of the Minister of Labour and Social Issues (Chairman),
Head of the Department of Disabled and Elderly People’s Issues (Secretary), Vice-Minister of
Health, Vice-Minister of Justice, Vice-Minister of Finances and Economics, Vice-Minister of
Education and Science, Vice-Minister of Territorial Administration, Head Specialist of the
Department of Social Affairs at the Government Administration and heads of eight disability
non-governmental organizations.
5. Useful links
“Huysi kamurj” (“Bridge of Hope”) NGO
www.brigeofhope.am
“Liarjeq kyanq” (“Full Life”) NGO
www.fulllife.am
HAVAT NGO of Hard-of-Hearing Children’s Mothers
www.havat.am
Mental Health Foundation
www.mentalhealth.am
Unison NGO for Support of People with Special Needs
www.unison.am
“International Child Development Center” NGO
www.aicdc.am
Child Development Foundation
www.wvarmenia.am
6. References
Armenia (1993). Law on the Social Protection of People with Disabilities.
_______ (1995a). Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, 5 July 1995, accessed from
www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=1&lang=eng on 15 July 2011.
_______ (1995b). Law on State Pensions.
_______ (1998). Law on Social Security for Military Servants and Their Family Members.
_______ (1999). Government regulation No. 162 on “The determination of the amount of the
basic pension.”
_______ (2003a). Government Decision No.750-N of 13 June 2003: “On Approval of the
Classifiers and Criteria for Assigning Disability Groups during Medico-Social Expertise.”
_______ (2003b). Medical Care Law.
_______ (2004). Labour Code.
_______ (2005). Law on Education of People with Special Educational Needs.
_______ (2006a). Decision No. 44 On Approval of the Strategy of Social Protection of
People with Disabilities for 2006-2015.
_______ (2006b). Government Decision on Accessibility of Social, Transportation and
Engineering Infrastructure for People with Disabilities and Population with Limited Mobility.
_______ (2006c). Government Decision on Financial Support to Unemployed and Disabled
People for State Registration of their Businesses.
_______ (2006d). Government Decision on the list of diseases which grant the right to athome education for people with special educational needs.
_______ (2006e). Government Decision on Approving the Lists of Population’s Social
Groups and Diseases Granting the Right to Free of Charge or Discounted Medications.
_______ (2006f). Government Decision on the Procedure, Size and Conditions of
Compensation of Non-Competitive Persons’ Salary to Employers.
_______ (2006g). Government Decision on Organizing Vocational Training for Unemployed
and Non-Competitive Groups of Job Seekers.
_______ (2006h). Government Decision No. 392- N, On Approval of the Regulation on
Providing Accessibility of Public, Transport and Engineer Infrastructures for Disabled People
and Groups of Population with Reduced Mobility.
_______ (2006i). Norms on Establishing Construction Norms of Buildings Accessibility for
Groups with Limited Mobility.
_______ (2006j). Strategy for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities in Armenia for
2006-2015.
_______ (2007). Government Decision on Elderly and Disabled Citizens’ Care Provision.
Foundation of Hope Project (2008). “Situation of Disabled in Armenia”, accessed
from www.foundationofhope2008.net/SituationofDisabledinArmenia.doc on 14 August 2009.
_______ (2011). Kristina Hovhannisyan, Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, electronic
communication with ESCAP dated 4 April 2011.
Last updated: 17 October 2011.