Standards as support for equality

People with disabilities around the world often face numerous barriers. The development of international and European standards aims to make products and services accessible to everyone, and that is why standards play a significant role in enabling people with disabilities to live an active and independent life.

In June of this year, the Institute for Standardization of Serbia published SRPS EN 17210:2022, Accessibility and usability of the built environment – Functional requirements (https://iss.rs/en/project/show/iss:proj:67803). This standard describes the minimum functional requirements and recommendations for an accessible and usable built environment, relevant to the design, construction, renovation or adaptation and maintenance of built environments, including pedestrian and urban outdoor areas. Also, in the middle of this year, the Institute installed a ramp for unhindered access for people in wheelchairs, in accordance with SRPS EN 17210, the Serbian language version of which is currently being prepared. It is expected that the public enquiry on the text of the draft will begin soon, and all interested parties will have the opportunity to comment on the content of the translation. Upon publication in Serbian, the Institute will provide this standard free of charge to interested associations of persons with disabilities.

Since 1992, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been celebrated every year on December 3. On that day, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution with the aim of enabling people with disabilities to have equal human rights and equal participation in society. The message for this year's Day of Persons with Disabilities is: „Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fostering an accessible and just world”.

In 2020, the campaign "Serbia without barriers" started in cities all over our country, in support of the integration of people with disabilities and the improvement of their position.