President Milanović on the Occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities: The State Must Ensure Equality to Persons with Disabilities

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović addressed an Expert Group in a video message entitled “Challenges of Students with Disabilities in Higher Education”, which was organized by the Ombudsperson for Persons with Disabilities Anka Slonjšak on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The video message from the President of the Republic to the participants of the conference held on Friday, 4 December 2020 reads as follows:

“Dear Ombudsperson for Persons with Disabilities Mrs. Slonjšak,

Dear conference participants, I am very pleased to greet you at this expert conference on challenges that students with disabilities face in the course of their higher education, a conference that also marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

It is particularly important to fully support all activities that are helpful in finding solutions to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy all human rights. The state must guarantee the fulfillment of these rights and ensure that persons with disabilities build their lives in an equal manner. Together we must create conditions for equal opportunities so that persons with disabilities can make their full contribution. I am certain that in this way society would simply be better. Both you and I want a society without obstacles and without stereotypes. Yet, this can’t be accomplished without education; education that includes everyone and education that implies accessibility to all. I don’t mean just accessibility in a physical sense, but a reasonable adaptability.

We need education that adapts and education that adapts itself, that does not threaten and does not lower academic standards for anyone, including students with disabilities. For the students it is necessary to ensure systematic support and precise legislation that will encourage their independence and remove all discrimination. This is our joint responsibility and I hope our mutual goal. This conference is just a small step on the path to full awareness of all these important topics and the resolution of many challenges.

You have my support. I wish you successful work and thank you!”