The International Day of Persons with Disabilities should raise awareness of the fact that persons with disability in Serbia are still discriminated against in all areas of their lives.
Education remains unavailable to them, especially to children with a mental handicap, and textbooks are not adjusted to their needs.
The facilities of various state institutions, health care centers, and other public place, are often inaccessible. Only 5% of dentists’ offices provide access to the disabled persons. The same is true of OB-GYN offices.
Discrimination against persons with disabilities affects their employment, resulting in very low employment rates.
Improvement of their lives requires improvement in all these segments. It would further mean that the constitutional rights of equality of all citizens have been fully exercised.
The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and to mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been promoted by the United Nations since 1992. Each year the day focuses on a different issue.