Problems of the social protection of disabled persons in modern Russian society

The article is based on the data from the Moscow city and national statistics. It analyses dynamics in the number of disabled persons and changes in their age structure. High rate of disability in Russia is a challenge to the state - it raises the question of reformation of the approaches to social protection, finding resources for social assistance. Social support embraces a wide range of measures, but there is no mechanism for integration of the disabled to the society, including children, young people of working age and the elderly. The author claims that the social policy measures directed at inclusion of the disabled to the society should allow for the specifics of their age structure and their adaptation potential depending on their ability to work. Differentiated approach to the problems of the disabled should be used in elaboration of all programmes aimed at helping these people to realize their rights.