3 December, International Day of Persons With Disabilities: Changes Require More Than Positive Legislation
Observation of the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) is essential for improvement of their position in the society. PWDs face many physical and social obstacles and challenges, esp. those related to prejudices concerning disability. This leads to discrimination, most devastatingly affecting women with disabilities who are usually already marginalized on gender basis as well.
The major issues of PWDs are inadequate living conditions, high unemployment rate, poverty, social invisibility and isolation and inadequate or lack of (physical) access to both the authorities and cultural, healthcare and welfare institutions, public transportation, information and communication technologies.
Individual complaints to the Provincial Protector of Citizens - Ombudsman (PPCO) indicate that the most common problems of PWDs are prejudices and discrimination concerning employment, difficulties with exercising the right to various welfare services and funding, lack of information of PWDs themselves about their own rights and ways of their exercise.
On the occasion of 3 December, the International Day of Persons With Disabilities, the PPCO points out that positive legislation does not necessarily mean change in PWDs' everyday life. What matters is its consistent implementation. It is necessary for all institutions to do everything in their power to provide for respect of dignity and rights of PWDs and include them in all aspects of social life. This is why the PPCO has recommended all local self-government units in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina to make a local strategic document on promoting the position and rights of PWDs, establish an expert body, service or other kind of organized expert support to PWDs in order to facilitate their independence and full participation in all aspects of life. Local self-governments should undertake measures to provide for equal access to physical environment, transportation, information, communication and services both in urban and rural areas.