Minsk Plans to Expand Network of Inclusive Cafes

The cafe on Internatsionalnaya Street has been operating for six years. People with disabilities work there. During the meeting, practical problems that employees face in their daily work were discussed. One of them is commuting to work, which becomes significantly more difficult in winter due to snow and ice.

Minsk already has a "Social Taxi" service that transports people with disabilities to socially significant facilities. The possibility of using it also for transporting employees of inclusive cafes to work is now being considered. According to Andrei Strizhelsky, five people work in the network of inclusive cafes in Minsk. The authorities intend to address the issue of their transportation to work, especially during the winter period.

Another direction is to increase the number of such cafes. One of the possible locations for opening a new establishment is the social rehabilitation center for people with disabilities "ROSTOK". It is not excluded that inclusive cafes will also appear at other city institutions.

The Minsk City Executive Committee emphasizes that it is important not only to create comfortable conditions for people with disabilities but also to give them the opportunity to use their knowledge and skills. According to Strizhelsky, many of these people have an education and appropriate professional training, so it is important for them to be included in urban life and realize their abilities.

The financing of new cafes was discussed separately. Opening them requires equipment, which is quite expensive. The Minsk City Executive Committee is ready to consider the possibility of assistance with its acquisition, as well as options for support with premises rental.

Currently, four inclusive A1 cafes operate in Belarus: two in Minsk, one in Brest, and one in Mogilev. The company plans to gradually expand the project. Representatives from other countries where the group operates also express interest in the Belarusian experience.

The development of inclusive cafes should allow more people with disabilities to gain a profession and employment, earn independently, socialize, and feel like a full-fledged part of urban life. Support from the state and business can help expand this format in Minsk and other cities.

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