President Milanović Receives Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities Anka Slonjšak
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović received the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities Anka Slonjšak. Accompanying Ombudswoman Slonjšak at the meeting with President Milanović were Deputy Ombudsmen Darijo Jurišić and Mira Pekeč-Knežević as well as the Ombudsman’s assistant Jana Milaković.
The Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities acquainted President Milanović with the activities undertaken by her office, and informed him of the problems that persons with disabilities face. She underlined that a number of important laws have yet to be adopted, which should systematically and justly resolve the status and the rights of persons with disabilities. In that context the Ombudsman indicated the Law on Personal Assistance and the Law on an Inclusive Supplement.
The Ombudsman stressed that the role of the State is crucial if we really wish to advance the current system of care for persons with disabilities. As measures that the State must adopt she underlined elimination of the fee threshold from the basic disability allowance, ensuring community services because existing ones are insufficient and absorption of European Union funds for the services that are presently lacking.
Furthermore, she underlined that the quality of life of persons with disabilities has further deteriorated due to the coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus must not be a pretext for not doing anything, Ombudsman Slonjšak noted. The Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities asked for the President of the Republic’s cooperation in marking International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December, which President Milanović has accepted.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan