YEREVAN.- Children with certified disabilities represent one per cent (8,000) of the total child population of Armenia, UNICEF Representative in Armenia Henriette Ahrens said.

The survey conducted in 2011 with the families of 5,707 children with disabilities showed that 5,322 children are in the care of families and 385 live in orphanages.

The report reveals that although 70% of children with disabilities in the care of their families attend regular schools, the percentage of children with intellectual disabilities and hearing impairments in mainstream school is much lower – 48% and 56% respectively.

“One of four children with motor and intellectual disabilities does not go to school. Moreover, 72% of children living in institutions are not attending any type of school,” Ahrens told reporters on Tuesday.

Armenian Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artyom Asatryan said children with disabilities are more at risk of institutionalization. According to the report, 13% out of almost 6,000 children with disabilities were institutionalized (in orphanages or special schools), while 23% have never left the premises of the institution.

The survey also showed gender inequalities. Thus, the girls are more at risk of institutionalization than boys. Besides, 12% of children involved in the survey said they do not have friends and 33% never participated in any event organized in the communities.