Zagreb - The 10th anniversary of the establishment of the ombudsperson's office for the disabled was observed in parliament on Monday with ombudswoman Anka Slonjšak underscoring that her mission is to "contribute to creating a society in which despite their differences and limitations, citizens will have equal opportunities in life and at work." It is particularly important to raise awareness of equality, values, inclusiveness and the abilities of disabled people in public and political life in Croatia, she said.
"From the first day of its existence, the Ombudsman's Office has been directed to promoting awareness of the universal principle of the equality of all people." Slonjšak said. She believes that it is significant that with time, more and more disabled people have approached the office warning of problems they encounter and expressing their awareness and knowledge of their own rights and of society's obligations toward them. It is necessary to further empower them in that, she said and noted that various activities were aimed at raising awareness in society, with public policy decision makers and the highest government institutions.
She noted the successes achieved in the past ten years and in particular highlighted amendments to legislation which enabled disabled people who wished to find work not to have their disability allowance of pensions suspended.cIn addition, the ombudsperson office managed to reinstate voting rights for disabled persons as well as the elderly who live in institutions.
The office's work, Slonjšak underscored, has led to an increased awareness that depriving someone of business ability is a grave violation of human rights of the disabled and that there is certainly room for them in society including children with special needs to be allowed to attend regular school with their peers.cNoting one of the things that still has not been achieved, Slonjšak warned of the slow progress in setting up a system of care for children and adults with autism.
About 13,000 disabled persons have approached the office since it was established and most of them, she underlined, requested the protection of rights in the field of social welfare, pension insurance, accessibility, labour and employment, education and health. Slonjšak announced that regional offices were planned for Osijek, Split and Rijeka in an effort to make the office's services more accessible to disabled persons.
Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković as the host of the celebration, said that "a lot has been done in Croatia in ten years in an effort to improve conditions and the quality of life and work for disabled persons." Nevertheless, he added, work has to continue in that regard so that "the participation of the disabled is not limited, not because of their problems, but due to various obstacles in society - be they social, legal, environmental, political or economic."
In an effort to emphasise the importance of the media in advancing the status of the disabled and children with special needs, Ombudswoman Slonjšak awarded journalists and public and private media outlets and those in the non-profit sector who stood out in promoting a positive perception of disabled persons and of a greater level of social awareness about disabilities in public. Hina was among the media outlets that were awarded.