Prosecutors impose fines on 13 banks for violating of the rights of disabled people in Almaty

According to the prosecutor’s office of Almaty, almost all branches of banks in the city have violated the rights of disabled people as their buildings haven’t been equipped with entrance ramps and special tellers.

What happened? During a meeting with Almaty prosecutors disabled people complained that almost all commercial banks in the city were out of reach for them due to lack of special amenities.

«Almost none of the commercial banks’ branches in the city meet the requirements for disabled people due to the absence of entrance ramps, mnemonic schemes and special tellers. At the same time, there are more than 50,000 disabled people in Almaty,» the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

What did the prosecutor’s office do? As a result of the inspection, the Almaty prosecutor’s office has imposed about $20,000 in fines on 13 banks. Moreover, the authorized agency required the banks to remedy the violations and make their buildings meet all the necessary requirements for the accessibility of disabled people.

«Eight banks have already done so, while the remaining entities are in the process,» the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

Almaty city authorities also want construction companies to keep in mind people with special needs when working on infrastructure. According to Mayor Yerbolat Dossayev, Almaty is going to be a city equal for all as a special development program has been adopted.

By now, only 5% of the city’s infrastructure is suitable for people with special needs, Dossayev said. He also noted that it is critical to not just introduce new standards and requirements but to change the overall attitude toward certain people with special physical needs in the country’s society.