Supporting Disability-Inclusive Employment and Education in the Kyrgyz Republic

Overview & Synopsis

People with disabilities represent a significant portion of the global population, and their exclusion from employment and education perpetuates cycles of poverty and inequality, undermining economic development efforts. The analytical report on disability inclusive employment and education in the Kyrgyz Republic aims to analyze the challenges and opportunities faced by people with disabilities in accessing the labor market and receiving education in the Kyrgyz Republic. The report examines the current situation in the Kyrgyz Republic with respect to the recently ratified United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and identifies key barriers to inclusion, including limitations in policy and legislative frameworks and their implementation, expectations and challenges of employers, issues with educational access and attainment of skills, difficulties in accessing workplace and learning environments, as well as social stigma. The findings presented in this report are based on an extensive desk-research review and 20 qualitative interviews, as well as 13 focus groups with key informants, including representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities, people with disabilities, parents with children with disabilities, and employers. The note also presents a range of recommendations for enhancing the participation of people with disabilities in the labor market and education based on best international and local practices.