“If I couldn’t be able to really be like everybody else, then I’ll be like myself and make the best of it". Christy Brown, My Left Foot

Persons with special needs live in all societies in the world, wars or no-wars, regardless. In the Balkans, where state systems and societies undergo a process of consolidation, the care of the community for the human rights and needs of this category of population remains at unsatisfactory levels. The fight for human rights for the persons with special needs is a part of the struggle for general well-being of the society, as well as for general fulfillment of human rights.

The creation of social environment that would provide for respect of all human rights of the persons with disabilities and the implementation of the standards of the UN on equal opportunities for persons with disabilities through psycho-social support to all persons with various forms of disabilities and member of their families, are requirements for creation and development of a democratic and humane society. Such a society is obligated to provide the disabled persons an opportunity for complete integration and equal rights as the rights of the persons with full physical capacities.

The catastrophes brought about by the wars, the poverty, the population migrations, all contributed to the deterioration of the living conditions of this marginalized population in the Balkans. The destroyed states and their systems didn’t take enough care on the basic needs of these persons, which is another burdening factor on their overall social and economic situation. The ignorance, insufficient care, discrimination, prejudices of the general population are some of the problems faced by the persons with disabilities. READ MORE.

14.11.2008 Two Experts on Human Rights and Disabilities from Kosovo will conclude today their participation in a two-week gathering with colleagues from twelve countries in Stockholm, Sweden, where they discussed improvements of human rights for persons with disabilities.

13.10.2008 The Little People of Kosovo, an NGO the works in the area of protection for children with special needs launched, at the beginning of last week, the traditional monthly campaign October – National Disability Employment Awareness Month, dedicated to the struggle against poverty, unemployment, elimination of physical barriers and discrimination faced daily by the disabled persons.

27.05.2005 The status of persons with special needs in Bosnia and Herzegovina deteriorates with every passing day. The legislation adopted to improve their status are not observed, the disabled persons can't get a job, their education is hard... The state, on the other hand, doesn't sanction such violations of human rights. We discussed the living conditions and problems met by persons with special needs with Nada Jovanovic, the President of the Association of Dystrophic Persons from Doboj.

27.05.2005 The WorldEnable Consortium has produced, in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, represented by its Social Development Division, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Resources CD 2, with the priority theme “Accessible ICT, as follow up to the ESCWA Regional Expert Group Meeting on Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for Persons with Disabilities" (Beirut, 25-26 May 2004).