Hi all,

It is interesting to hear about different social benefits in European
countries. I think we in Finland the government and the municipalities have
reached the peak of giving out benefits to disabled. So far they have been
quite decent for normal living.

Apparently the budgets for social welfare are increasing when disabled
people get more equal rights and especially due to the growing life
expectancy (ie. elderly people).

Certain savings are motivated by rationalising the costs. For instance,
disabled people are entitled by law to get 18 taxi rides per month in their
home town and neighboring towns. In addition if one can justify one can get
them for studies or work. In Helsinki one has to pay 2 euro contribution per
ride (equal to local transport). The system is digitalised and such taxi
benefit holder uses a smart card. Now they are screwing up the setup of
that service by organising collective rides with several disabled in a mini
bus. It is not violating the law but implementing it wrongly that violates
the anonymity and independece of disabled person. Furthermore one always has
to order the taxi at least two hours before and it might not arrive in time
or at all. Anyway a lot of time will be lost dropping and picking up people
along the way.

I am sure that creating an entirely system like this rather than using any
taxis will become more expensive. Decision makers will of course think that
the worsened accessibility will cut down the use of the benefits stated by
law.

How about in other countries? I know that in Sweden they use such collective
taxi rides. In Sweden I like the benefit of free telephone number inquiry
service which we are still fighting for the visually impaired people.

Regards,
Pekka


----- Original Message -----
From: "Markus Georg" <m.georg@...>
To: <retinayouth@...>
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 2:08 AM
Subject: AW: [retinayouth] social security is going down (all over
Europe?!?)


Dear Pantelis,
It looks like we can not do anything.
Pro Retina and other blind organizations are trying to work together.
There is no real influence to the politics.
And even if we hear something about cutting money for blind the decision is
nearly made and it is to late to organize a demonstration or soemthing like
this.
Federal goverment transmitted this task of paying welfare payments for the
blind to the goverment of the counties. Now they are looking for saving
money in their budget and cut at the weakest characters where they can
expect not a big resistance.
In order not to attract attention in most counties the people who getting
this money until now nothing will be changed. But all other person who would
be entitled to receive this payment in the future (if they are going blind
or visually impaired) would not receive the full payment.
Due to this trick there seems to be no need for the blind people to protest
against the new law. Only for the coming generation of blind and vissually
impaired people it will have disadvantages.
Clever, isn´t it ?

Are they paying in your country only for blind people or also for extreme
visually impaired people?
I guess this is also regulated totally different in each country.
Also the definition of "being blind".

Best regards,
Markus


MAIL TO: markus.georg@...
or mail to: rey@...


-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Pantelis Pittas [SMTP:elpadel@...]
Gesendet am: Dienstag, 5. August 2003 23:07
An: retinayouth@...
Betreff: Re:[retinayouth] social security is going down (all over Europe?!?)

Dear Markus, here in Greece things aren't that bad yet, but there is
economic restrain. There are rumors about freezing pensions, benefits,
e.t.c.
But they would never think of cutting off that money, not even for
the Olympics. We would revolt!!! Aren't you doing something? From what you
are saying the local governments are acting illegally! Well, take them to
the federal court and then to the European Court. Isn't Pro Retina
Deutschland doing anything?


------ Original Message ------
Dear Friends,
Due to the bad economical situation government is interested in saving
money.
They use every opportunity to cut social security benefits.
I guess this situation is the same all over Europe.

At the moment they are trying to cut benefit for blind and disabled people.
This is very unpleasant because this people are often not strong enough to
fight for their rights.
Furthermore they are requested to get this money to cover the costs which
are higher than for sighted people.

Only in six of sixteen counties in Germany the government is paying the
benefit for blind as per the federal law of social security (§ 67 BSHG).

For example:
In Bavaria (southern Germany) following monthly payments are provided for
blind people
585,-- Euro for adults (blind)
585,-- Euro for youngsters (blind) under 18 years

In Brandenburg (eastern Germany, close to Berlin) following monthly payments
are provided for blind people
268 Euro for adults (blind)
134 Euro for youngsters (blind) under 18 years

Now they are starting to cut this money in each county.

Do you have the same situation in your country ?
Please let me know if they are also cutting social security benefit for
blind and disabled people.
How much your government is paying for blinds ?.

Thanks for your comments.

Best regards,

Markus

MAIL TO: markus.georg@...
or mail to: rey@...



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