Minister Adnan Šabani supported the work of the Coalition of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities of Zenica-Doboj Canton

(Patria) - Representatives of the Coalition of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities of Zenica-Doboj Canton, president Harun Aliefendić and president of the Association of Paraplegics Zenica Samira Đidić, visited the Minister for Spatial Planning, Traffic and Communications and Environmental Protection of Zenica-Doboj Canton.

The development of the "Accessibility Strategy for Persons with Disabilities in Zenica-Doboj Canton 2025-2030" was the main topic of today's discussion, which, according to Aliefendić, is a continuation of the good cooperation between the Coalition of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities of ZDK and the Minister for Spatial Planning, Traffic and Communications and Environmental Protection of ZDK Adnan Šabani.

-Minister Šabani, for the first time in 2024, included persons with disabilities as end-users in the budget of this ministry by securing funds for the removal of architectural barriers in cities and municipalities. Unfortunately, a large portion of the funds, close to 250,000 KM, secured through this project, was not used purposefully or almost not at all by local communities. By developing the Strategy, cities and municipalities would receive a form of instruction on how to systematically solve the problems of persons with disabilities, primarily referring to the removal of architectural barriers, enabling equal access to education, employment, healthcare, social protection, accessible websites and public information, and the active inclusion of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes - stated Aliefendić.

If the Strategy receives the support of the Assembly and the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton, which Minister Šabani does not doubt, and where he promised all forms of support, ZDK would become the first unit with this strategically important document for persons with disabilities.

-Unlike some officials who hold the most responsible positions in cities and municipalities and only declaratively advocate for this population, I have helped and will continue to support the creation of better living conditions for all people with disabilities in the canton and beyond, through concrete actions, ideas, and in every other way. It is a pleasure for me to be in the service of humanity and to help organizations that gather persons with disabilities to gain institutional support in their work at the local level and to cooperate with city and municipal administrations. It is important to have a code in the budgets of local administrations and to allocate at least minimal funds for the support of persons with disabilities. In this way, it will be possible to monitor how much authorities truly care about the inclusion of persons with disabilities. Inclusion precisely implies the active participation of persons with disabilities in society, along with the removal of obstacles that prevent them from doing so - stated Minister Šabani.

It was concluded that both sides will continue their maximum engagement in the coming period to make Zenica-Doboj Canton an inclusive society in which all persons with disabilities will have equal opportunities for access to physical space, information, services, and employment, and actively participate in social life.