Zagreb - Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities Darijo Jurišić said during a parliamentary debate on the 2023 annual report on Wednesday that even though some progress has been made in employing persons with disabilities, it remains extremely limited.
He was responding to a question from SDP MP Irena Dragić, who inquired about the number of persons with disabilities employed in the government and parliament.
Jurišić highlighted the positive example of the Ministry of the Interior, which actively recruits persons with disabilities. He also announced that the 2024 report would provide exact figures on how many persons with disabilities are employed in the government, parliament, ministries and public institutions.
HDZ MP Ante Babić asked about the practical impact of the laws on personal assistance, inclusive allowance, and transportation benefits for persons with disabilities, which were adopted in 2023. Jurišić responded that the impact of these laws would be reflected in the 2024 report.
He emphasised that there has undeniably been an increase in entitlements for many persons with disabilities, shifting from symbolic allowances to benefits that genuinely support their integration into community life.
Presenting the 2023 report, Jurišić noted that despite an improved regulatory framework, difficulties persist in the practical implementation of regulations and the exercise of rights of persons with disabilities.
Citizens contacted Ombudsman's Office 2,998 times in 2023
In 2023, citizens contacted the Ombudsman's Office 2,998 times, leading to 4,495 different actions. The majority of complaints were related to social welfare, discrimination, accessibility and mobility, employment and labour, healthcare and education.
Most inquiries came from the City of Zagreb, Osijek-Baranja County and Split-Dalmatia County, while the fewest were from Lika-Senj County. Jurišić commended the growing recognition and acceptance of the Ombudsman's recommendations, with nearly 70% of them being fully or partially accepted in 2023.
He warned that, despite improvements in the legal framework, institutionalisation remains the most commonly resorted-to solution for supporting persons with disabilities. More than half of those placed in institutions are individuals with mental health challenges.
Croatia also significantly lags behind developed countries in expanding community-based services and alternative rehabilitation models focused on recovery, leading to further societal exclusion.
Jurišić criticised a Constitutional Court decision of 18 April 2023, which annulled a provision of the Family Law that prevented individuals from being completely deprived of legal capacity. The decision stipulated that this provision would cease to be in effect as of 31 December 2023.
Regarding women with disabilities, Jurišić highlighted the numerous obstacles they face, such as limited access to reproductive healthcare, particularly in rural areas. He also pointed out that the ability of a woman with a disability to raise a child is often questioned if she chooses to become a mother.
Additionally, he emphasised the ongoing challenges in finding qualified professionals such as educational rehabilitators and speech therapists.