Rakočević: Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodations Are Legal Obligations, and Their Denial Is an Act of Discrimination

The General Director of the Directorate for the Protection and Equality of Persons with Disabilities at the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, Ms. Irena Rakočević, attended the conference "We+You=A Society Without Barriers," organized by the Non-Governmental Organization "Ekvivalent" in partnership with "Organization of the Blind for Bar and Ulcinj," with financial support from the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights. The results of research on the extent and forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities in accessing built environments, transportation, information and communication, services, and products intended for the public were also presented. In her opening speech, Rakočević emphasized that respecting accessibility standards is not a matter of administrative assessment or personal preference but an explicit legal obligation, and ignoring it constitutes direct discrimination and a violation of citizens' fundamental rights. She highlighted that institutions have a key responsibility in creating an equal opportunities society and that the principles of universal design and reasonable accommodations must be consistently applied across all areas of life. She also stressed the importance of inter-institutional cooperation and partnerships with organizations of persons with disabilities, which contribute significantly through their experience and knowledge to the development of inclusive policies. Rakočević stated that the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, through the Directorate for the Protection and Equality of Persons with Disabilities, will continue to support initiatives that improve the position of persons with disabilities, strengthen anti-discrimination policies, and raise awareness of the importance of accessibility as a universal standard.