The Government Plenipotentiary for Persons with Disabilities, Łukasz Krasoń, and the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy have brought Polish persons with disabilities closer to the realisation of election promises. On the website of the Government Legislation Centre (RCL) a draft law on personal assistance has been published after the stage of agreement, opinion and public consultation. Many of the comments have been taken into account, making the bill even more responsive to the needs of personal assistance users.

Strong points of the project

The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy is firmly of the opinion that it should be possible to combine a supportive benefit with a personal assistance service. The two forms (financial and service) are complementary and can create a complementary support system for people with the greatest needs.

More precise regulations concerning hourly rates -depending on the type of activities performed by the assistant. This gives an opportunity, among others, to build the prestige of the profession, to counteract the so-called negative selection and to take care of an appropriate number of candidates for the work of a personal assistant. Compliance with global standards for personal assistants has been ensured. 

An interesting, innovative solution is the possibility of asking the county to assist with an application for personal assistance at home. This is potentially a huge help for people who are less computer proficient.

The new draft also introduces the possibility for counties to contract personal assistance services to municipalities. Some municipalities already provide this service.

Reference:

1. Draft on the Government Legislation Centre.
2. Opinion of the Polish Forum for People with Disabilities