Features and Basic Directions of Social Protection of Disabled People: International Experience and Possibilities of its Application in Ukraine

The aim of the article is to study foreign experience in the functioning of social protection of disabled people and determine the possibilities of its use in Ukraine. As a result of the study there identified the features and main directions of social protection of disabled people in foreign countries, including assistance in daily life; provision of support of income, living standards, and employment. The basic model of social protection in countries of the European Union is considered and the distribution of expenditure on social protection in the EU is analyzed. It is found that social protection of disabled people should be directed at social support of this category of citizens because the degree of state social protection of the disabled is a clear indicator of the level of development and civilization of a particular society, the level of its responsibility. Based on the analysis of foreign experience in social protection of people with disabilities, there made conclusions about the need to direct today’s Ukraine policy at strengthening social, economic, and legal status of people with disabilities; improving the conditions of their life; providing for their self-realization, achievement of their financial independence and full social integration, taking into account the best international experience.