Інвалідність як соціальна проблема сучасного українського суспільства

The article is based on the data obtained from the research projects conducted by the State Institute for Family and Youth, and the Ukrainian Institute for Social Research throughout 1999 – 2003 and highlights the issue of disability as one of the major social problems of the contemporary Ukraine. The article attempts to project the long-term impact of the current aggravation of the situation in the field in the context of the general demographic trends in the country. It is stressed the importance of cooperation between the relevant ministries and other state agencies, and local governments within the state policy on support to disable people. Such policy is to ensure a strict implementation of the existing legislation called to support disable people and strengthen the capacities for the integration of people with disabilities into social life.