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Overview of where to go and what to do if you are mobility, sight or hearing impaired - a wheelchair or cane user - and living in or visiting Brussels. Information on the Belgian organisations and facilities.
Belgium pursues an equal opportunities policy and, following the UN International Year of the Handicapped in 1981, re-examined its approach to disabled people and their role in Belgian society. Further legislation in 2003 outlawed discrimination of any form (including towards the disabled). Where a disability exists the aim is to ensure as full and as active participation as possible in everyday life. Physical barriers to participation (such as architectural and building constraints) must be removed as far as possible. The disabled must be given the same access to services and facilities as the able-bodied. They must also be given equal opportunities in the workplace. Regional agencies exist to help the disabled and address these issues. Disabled people and their families are regularly consulted by these agencies regarding improvements and specific local matters. Disability BenefitsDisability benefits fall under the ultimate responsibility of the Federal Service for Social Security (Service Public Fédéral Sécurité Sociale/Federale Overheidsdienst Sociale Zekerheid). The objective of Social Assistance is to ensure that everyone has the right to a basic level of income. This right is extended to everyone legally resident in Belgium, although some areas specify a minimum period of residency before awarding benefits. Anyone wishing to apply for disability benefits (for themselves or dependants) must approach the Social Assistance Centre (CPAS/OMCW) in their municipality.
Medical evidence will almost certainly be requested to support an application either from the person's doctor or via an independent assessment organised through the CPAS/OMCW. Disabled people receive an allowance in line with their age and level of disability. Where appropriate the CPAS/OMCW may also assist in finding appropriate employment for those with disabilities. Help is available to employers who need to make modifications to the workplace in order to accommodate disabled staff. For those under 21 years of age, benefit is paid to the parents/legal guardians and the amount paid is increased if the child is at least two-thirds disabled. Between the ages of 21 and 65 benefit is paid directly to the disabled person. This is in the form of an income replacement benefit if they can prove that their ability to earn an income is at least two-thirds lower than that of an able-bodied person. If they have income from other sources the amount may be reduced. An additional payment called an integration allowance is payable if, following medical examination, it is proved that independence is restricted, for example mobility, feeding and generally looking after oneself. Benefits may be reduced or stopped if the disabled person is hospitalised for a long period or has to leave their own home and go into a specialist care facility. The CPAS/OMCW will advise on specific circumstances. ChildrenParents with disabled children may also apply for help to adapt the family home or car if this is necessary. There is also a range of measures in place to help disabled children at school.
There are also facilities for the deaf or blind to get additional help such as reading materials or other assistance. PaymentPayment of benefits (unless the amount awarded is very small) is made monthly. The first payment is made in the month following the decision to pay benefit and payment is made around the twenty-third of each month. Any backdated amount is paid as a lump sum with the first payment. Payment is by bank transfer either direct to the disabled person or their legal representative. HealthcareAnyone working in Belgium must join a healthcare scheme and the cover provided then extends to a non-working spouse and any dependant children (including those with disabilities). The amount paid by the employed individual (known as the personal share) is subject to a maximum annual limit calculated in relation to income. Disabled persons who are unable to work are also catered for with their own cover. For certain types of care it may be necessary to pay the provider and then claim reimbursement from the insurer. The amount reimbursed depends on the type of care, the provider used and the insured's personal status. For hospital treatment, only the personal share is payable – the balance is collected directly from the insurance fund. The same applies to any medication obtained from a pharmacy. However, some medication (typically anything which is being taken for a serious or long-term condition) will be free of charge. Other benefitsA range of other social and monetary allowances are available to the disabled. Some of these are allowed even where a claim for disability benefit itself has been refused (for example where an individual's revenue is deemed too high). These include parking permits, exemption from TV licence payments, housing benefits, income tax reductions and discounts on utility bills. Depending on individual circumstances a disabled person may qualify for one or more of these benefits. There is also funding for home-help where a disabled person needs assistance of a practical nature to allow them to remain in their own home.
Where to go for helpThere are a large number of agencies and organisations (both state funded and voluntary) which aim to help those with disabilities and their families. Some have English-speaking staff or volunteers but government agencies typically work in the language of the region. The four principal bodies charged with looking after disability issues are listed below. Brussels area:
Walloon Region:
Flanders/Flemish community:
German Community:
TravelAlthough efforts have been made to improve transport options for the disabled, there are still limitations. Wheelchairs are generally carried free of charge on all public transport. The Accessible Travel Info Point is a service of the Flemish Tourist Board and provides information about travelling in Belgium to those who have a disability.
TaxisThe following taxi company offers transportation for wheelchair-bound customers.
ParkingCars parking in disabled parking spaces must display the blue disabled parking card or a European Community blue badge. Contact the local town hall for information on obtaining a blue badge. Forms for the parking card can be obtained from the local Town Hall (Maison Communale/Stadhuis) and must be sent with a medical certificate to the following address:
The blue badge is a standardised European Community disabled person's parking permit which provides parking entitlements to badge holders in all complying European countries - a blue badge from one country is valid in another. A person coming to Belgium from another EU country can apply in their home country for this universal badge which allows the use of reserved parking. Things to keep in mind:
Drivers with a blue badge from another European country may display these translations beside a badge written in another language (text from the UK Automobile Association):
National Associations for the Disabled and Mobility Reduced
Local Information for Brussels
Other associationsCalibre Audio Books: UK charity, Calibre, supplies audio books in English on cassette or disk to visually impaired and disabled people. The free service is available to members (registration can be made via the website). Free postal service is available to anywhere in Europe. Further information
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