With the support of the Fund, the work of the Association of Citizens with Cerebral Palsy of the Sarajevo Canton has been facilitated

(Patria) - In a country where persons with disabilities still struggle to find employment, associations often become both a place of support and a work environment. For such models to survive, continuous institutional support is key. The cooperation between the Association of Citizens with Cerebral Palsy of the Sarajevo Canton and the Fund for Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina shows how this support in practice means more stable operations through the procurement of necessary equipment and the preservation of jobs.

For 42 years, the Association has been providing support to its members through rehabilitation, assistance in daily life, and organized leisure activities. Today, it gathers more than 300 people with cerebral palsy, a form of disability that affects movement, speech, and the degree of independence. Therefore, continuous professional and social support is crucial for quality of life.

The President of the Association, Nevenko Novotni, says that the long-standing cooperation with the Fund represents the foundation of stability for the organization and its employees with disabilities.

“The Fund’s support means security for us, both for the work of the association and for the employed persons with disabilities, among whom I am one,” Novotni emphasizes.

This includes financing and co-financing salary costs, including the refund of contributions and compensation for reduced work performance for newly employed persons with disabilities.

The support, he adds, is not only financial. Equally important is the equipment that enables more efficient daily work and the implementation of activities.

“Through the Fund’s programs, we secure funds and equipment that facilitate our functioning and allow us to carry out all activities with quality, whereby the support most often refers to the procurement of computer equipment, projectors, office supplies, and similar resources necessary for efficient work,” he says.

For organizations that mostly work on a project basis, this kind of support means stability and the possibility of long-term planning. This not only preserves existing jobs but also opens up space for new employment of persons with disabilities, which is especially important in conditions of limited opportunities on the labor market.

“Employment opportunities for persons with disabilities are still limited, which is why the Fund’s support has added value because it concretely opens space for work and social inclusion,” Novotni emphasizes.

The support also enables the development of new programs tailored to the needs of members, whose numbers are growing.

“Needs are constant, and there are many ideas and projects. With the support of the Fund and other institutions, we can more easily plan activities and respond to the needs of our members,” he says.

The association’s experience also shows the broader benefit of employing persons with disabilities, not only for individuals but also for work collectives and society as a whole.

“Persons with disabilities who get the opportunity to work make a strong contribution to employers and the community. Therefore, I call on companies to open their doors to employment; it is an investment that pays off many times over,” Novotni concludes.