Socio-medical aspects of the problem of the development of inclusion in modern Russian society: cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The study of the socio-medical aspects of the problem of the development of inclusion in modern Russian society is needed urgently. On the one hand, this is due to the growth in the number of people with disabilities, the need to improve the level and quality of care, and on the other hand, due to the insufficient level of readiness of the healthcare system and the social protection of the population to provide effective, comprehensive assistance to persons with disabilities.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to identify the main problems and difficulties faced by young people with disabilities in obtaining necessary medical and social assistance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This article presents the results of a survey of young people with disabilities living in the Stavropol Territory. The study involved 195 young people aged 18 to 30 years. The study was conducted from September to October 2022. The main method of research was a questionnaire survey compiled using Google Forms.

RESULTS: The leading conditions for ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities are: ensuring the availability of health services, education, the level of social support and assistance, the opportunity to participate actively in the cultural and social aspect of modern society, and participating in adapted physical culture and sports. The research indicates an insufficient level of development of the socio-medical rehabilitation potential of persons with disabilities and the presence of socio-medical barriers that prevent the active inclusion of disabled people in the life of modern society. Persons with disabilities and their family members face the following problems: the insufficient level of development of an accessible architectural environment; the low level of material and technical provision of services and innovations in the field of social rehabilitation; the unavailability of specialists for inclusive interaction; the lack of objective and accessible information about modern methods of treatment and rehabilitation; the system of socio-psychological assistance; and support after reaching adulthood.

CONCLUSION: The leading directions to improve the effectiveness of social policy in the development of inclusive interaction are: the creation of resource centers for the comprehensive support of persons with disabilities and their family members; the improvement of organizational and legal mechanisms for supporting the public organizations of disabled people and their family members; inclusive volunteering activities aimed at the active inclusion of persons with disabilities in the modern society life; and improving the professional competence of healthcare and social protection specialists working in the field of ensuring inclusive interaction with persons with disabilities.