Two separate laws to improve position of disabled

BELGRADE - Serbia has a good legal framework that regulates the position and the rights of about 750,000 disabled people, but in practice, they still face difficulties, Ivanka Jovanovic, president of the National Organisation of People with Disabilities, said on Thursday.

Speaking to the RTS on occasion of World Disabled Day, Jovanovic said that some major obstacles will be removed by the adoption of two laws regulating the special needs of people with visual and hearing impairments.

She noted that a law on movement with a guide dog is on the agenda of the Serbian parliament on Thursday.

Adopting the law will be of great assistance to 12,000 citizens with visual impairments, she said.

All guide dog users, including foreigners visiting Serbia, will be able to access various institutions, hotels and public transportation, she explained.

A law on the sign language will also be passed this year to enable people with hearing impairments to access means of communication and information in all state institutions - health care and social protection services and education, Jovanovic said.