Commissioner for the Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic participated at the conference held on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and 10th anniversary of Serbian National Association of Persons with Disabilities. President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic addressed the attendees of the conference, estimating that things are getting better slowly and that persons with disabilities can count on stronger support of the state that wishes to demonstrate that it does not make any difference among the citizens.

Commissioner Jankovic stated that the majority see a disability first and then a child, woman or a man. „That is why the greatest obstacles are the ones in our heads, made of fears, ignorance and prejudices, that it is someone who should be sympathized, who is helpless. We are still not aware that the problem lies in the environment, because there are no special needs, but different way of their achievement; there is no need for compassion, but for awareness that they are a part of the society, which gives them equal opportunities for equal participation in all segments of the society, without rejection or isolation”, stressed Commissioner.

Other speakers at the conference were also president of National Association of Persons with Disabilities Milan Stosic, Minister for Labor, Employment, Social and Veteran Issues Zoran Djordjevic and painter and para-taekwondo vice-champion of the world and Europe Dajana Backo.

Celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and 10th anniversary of Serbian National Association of Persons with Disabilities was organized by the line ministry under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Serbia.