Government Action on Disability Policy
A Global Survey
Part II - Government Replies as Country Profiles

Croatia

Download 'Government Reports on the UN Standard Rules' as a PDF file (440 KB)

---

© Dimitris Michailakis 1997

Transmitted by Permanent Mission to the United Nations, New York (8 July 1996)
Compare with the following Country Report(s): ILSMH, WBU

General policy

The officially recognized disability policy in Croatia is expressed in law and in guidelines adopted by the Government. The emphasis - in descending scale - is on: prevention, rehabilitation, individual support, accessibility measures, anti-discrimination law.

Since the adoption of the Rules the Government has taken action in order to convey the message of full participation, however failing to describe or provide any examples of the actions taken for that purpose.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by a combination of special and general legislation. The judicial mechanisms adopted to protect the rights of persons with disabilities is due process (legal remedy through the courts). Non-judicial mechanisms include an Ombudsman, a Governmental body (administrative) and independent expert bodies.

The general legislation applies to persons with different disabilities with respect to education employment, the right to marriage, the right to parenthood/family, political rights, access to court-of-law, right to privacy, property rights. The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: health and medical care, training, rehabilitation and counselling, financial security, employment, independent living, and participation in decisions affecting them.

No new legislation concerning disability has been enacted since the adoption of the Rules.

Accessibility

There are laws and regulations to ensure accessibility of the build environment requiring that public places, the outdoor environment, land, sea, air transportation and housing are made accessible. Accessibility in the build environment is observed by a national authority and local Governments. The following measures have been promoted to facilitate accessibility in the build environment: levelling off pavements, marking parking areas, installing lifts and accessible toilets, ensuring access to public places, improving accessibility in housing, provision of specially adapted motor vehicles. Special transport is available for medical treatment and education. There is also a city transport by a specially adapted motor vehicle which is used at individual request. The most difficult obstacles when planning to build accessible environments are attitudinal factors, economic/budgetary factors and lack of enforcement mechanisms. There is a disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language for deaf people is recognized as the official language of deaf people. There are Government measures for encouraging media to make their services accessible. There are no Government measures to make other forms of public information services accessible. The following services are provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and other persons: literature in Braille/tape, sign language interpretation being available for major events.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is a national umbrella organization where all the organizations of persons with disabilities are represented. Legal provisions mandate the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making and to work with Governmental institutions. Organizations are often consulted when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations take place at the national level. The Government financially supports existing or new organizations. Persons with disabilities participate to some extent in Government, legislature, and judicial authorities but to a great extent in political parties and NGOs. The organizations have the role to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, identify needs and priorities, participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of services and measures concerning the lives of persons with disabilities, contribute to public awareness, and provide services.

Co-ordination of work

There is no national co-ordinating committee or similar body.

---

Contents of the UN Report | Compare with the following Country Report(s): ILSMH, WBU