Ombudswoman: Epidemic has hit persons with disabilities particularly hard

Zagreb - The COVID-19 epidemic has affected especially hard the lives of persons with disabilities and children with developmental difficulties and their families, the Ombudswoman for persons with disabilities, Anka Slonjšak, said in parliament on Friday, presenting a report on her work in 2020.

The effect of the epidemic and last year's earthquakes have shown all the shortcomings in the system to which we have been pointing for years, she said.

Problems such as a shortage of experts in medical, educational and social care institutions, computer illiteracy, and poor availability of transport to rehabilitation centres are yet to show the effects on mental, physical, emotional and social health, Slonjšak said.

She singled out the lack of continuity in the provision of medical services, saying it led to the health of many people deteriorating.

She said distance learning had a particularly negative effect on children with developmental difficulties.

Last year also saw a standstill in legislative changes regarding persons with disabilities, Slonjšak said, adding that it was necessary to adopt as soon as possible new laws on social care, personal assistants and the inclusion supplement.

In 2020, Slonjšak's office received 2,266 complains, 94 more than the year before, and most were  about work from home and social care. The office sent legal entities 420 recommendations and warnings as well as moving 20 legal amendments.

MPs unanimously supported Slonjšak's report, underlining the need to further raise awareness of the needs and rights of persons with disabilities.