The Ministry of Welfare, for the third consecutive year, invites everyone at the end of September to participate in the social campaign “Mismatched Shoes Day”, which aims to support diversity, foster an inclusive attitude, and promote the well-being of all members of society. On 26 September, every resident of Latvia is invited to publicly express support for people with functional disabilities, including psychosocial disabilities, by wearing mismatched shoes – a different shoe on each foot.
Meanwhile, companies, workplaces, organisations and educational institutions across Latvia are encouraged not only to wear mismatched shoes on this day, but also to take the initiative and organise other activities – such as open-door days, workshops, afternoon discussions or other events that promote understanding and cooperation – and to share their activities on social media using the hashtag #StepIntoTheirShoes.
“For people with various functional disabilities – mobility, vision, hearing, or psychosocial – it is very important to feel accepted and needed beyond their daily ‘bubble’. Taking part in different public activities is a great way to connect with others, to do good things together and to enjoy them together. Therefore, we invite every institution, company and organisation to identify and reach out to a nearby day centre, association or community that brings together people with functional or psychosocial disabilities, and to invite them for a visit or plan a visit to them, in order to carry out exciting and meaningful activities together,” says Elīna Celmiņa, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Welfare.
Such meetings and joint activities are an essential step in implementing the deinstitutionalisation process – creating a society in which people who have limited ability to care for themselves receive the support they need to live at home or in a family-like environment, rather than in long-term care institutions. Deinstitutionalisation is an important reform of the social services system, supported by European Union funds, which ensures access to community-based services – day centres, group homes, specialised workshops and other support services throughout Latvia – enabling people to live more independently, participate in community life and feel accepted.
According to the State Medical Commission for the Assessment of Health Condition and Working Ability (VDEĀVK), in June 2025 there were 225,265 persons with disabilities registered in Latvia (including 9,896 children), of whom 36,009 had mental and behavioural disorders (including 4,331 children). Only by stepping into another person’s shoes can we see the similarities among so many unique and different individuals. Therefore, Mismatched Shoes Day is a moment to symbolically express understanding and acceptance of people with functional disabilities.
“Prejudice and negative attitudes are the biggest barriers that prevent people from feeling valued and often lead to self-isolation. Public surveys show that understanding and support for people with functional, including psychosocial, disabilities is increasing, yet there is still much to be done to foster an inclusive attitude and to develop the services these people need. On 26 September, we can take another step towards this goal – with each foot in a different shoe,” says Elīna Celmiņa.
The social campaign “Step Into Their Shoes” was launched by the Ministry of Welfare in 2023 to reduce strong prejudices in society and to normalise the fact that people with functional and psychosocial disabilities are part of the community. A survey* shows that compared to 2022, Latvians are significantly more likely to agree that society should be more tolerant towards people with psychosocial disabilities (90% in 2022, 95% in 2023).
Deinstitutionalisation projects supported by the European Union funds have significantly expanded access to community-based services. During the 2014–2020 period, more than €114 million were invested in new infrastructure and service provision. More than 4,300 people with functional or psychosocial disabilities have received support, and 228 new community-based social services have been established in municipalities. The deinstitutionalisation process continues in the 2021–2027 programming period – new day centres, specialised workshops and group homes are being developed to ensure support as close as possible to people’s homes. These services foster independence and inclusion in society – the central idea behind Mismatched Shoes Day and the “Step Into Their Shoes” campaign.
More information about Mismatched Shoes Day: cilveksnevisdiagnoze.lv/dazado-kurpju-diena
*The sociological study “Public Awareness and Understanding of the Deinstitutionalisation Process” was conducted by Kantar in December 2023 and January 2024, surveying 1,016 residents of Latvia aged 18–74, commissioned by the Ministry of Welfare.
