Kolašin's infrastructure, despite numerous promises and legal obligations, is still not accessible to people with disabilities (PWD).
"Efforts" to change such a situation for decades have been reduced only to various plans, which remain on paper. During all that time, only a few access ramps for the disabled were built in the city and a few parking spaces were marked. However, even the little that has been built does not meet the standard, so it is of no use to the people of Kolasin or to the tourists, for whom they are intended.
The president of the Association of Parents of Children and Youth with Difficulties and Developmental Disabilities "Zvijezda", Ana Danilović, confirmed to "Vijesti" that the Kolašin traffic infrastructure, as well as the facilities, are not accessible to PWDs at all.
"The facilities that are adapted, in terms of access, are actually buildings and facilities that are on the ground floor and accessibility is not provided in that part. Existing ramps, for the most part, are not built according to standards. The slope, width and other parameters do not meet the regulations. Parking spaces for the disabled are also a problem, because the vertical and horizontal signage is not harmonized. As for the parking lot, after we sent a letter to the head of the Security Department (SB) Zoran Braunović and described the problem, the situation is somewhat better," she explains.
According to Danilović, "in addition to physical accessibility, it is necessary to harmonize and adapt information in the format that is necessary, for example Braille inscriptions, tactile surfaces... She says that, in accordance with the local Social and Child Protection Plan and the Strategy on protect and prohibit discrimination of PWDs, the NGO headed by it strives to actively initiate and participate in the implementation of activities related to the accessibility of facilities and traffic infrastructure for PWDs.
Katarina Puletić, an independent advisor for vulnerable groups in the Municipality, claims that "in Kolašin, everything is available, but not affordable". She reminds that the Municipality, through the Secretariat for Spatial Planning, Communal Affairs and Traffic, planned the construction of ramps at the entrance of the Museum and the Cultural Center.
Access ramps have been prepared, only the implementation of that plan has been suspended due to street reconstruction. As soon as the reconstruction is finished, the ramp will be installed. Very few facilities in the municipality of Kolašin are accessible for people with disabilities. If there is a ramp in front of one of the entrances, it is mostly not built according to regulations and standards," says Puletić.
She reminds that "The Act on Prohibition of Discrimination against PWDs describes various forms of discrimination, special measures and obligations of state bodies, state administration bodies, bodies of local self-government units, public companies and other legal entities". It is necessary, says Puletić, that the community pays much more attention to this problem.
"All of us need accessibility to facilities. Availability is one thing, affordability is something else entirely. I am of the opinion that if we are accessible and open as beings to each other, we will create accessibility in the environment that surrounds us. If accessibility is not in us, we cannot even create it in the space," concludes the independent consultant for support of vulnerable groups.
Among the unrealized projects from the Strategic Development Plan of the Municipality of Kolašin, which is valid until this year, is the one on the construction of facilities for the access and movement of persons with reduced mobility. That document provided for a number of activities related to the social inclusion of persons with reduced mobility and PWDs. Among other things, the creation of a database of existing facilities in public use in terms of accessibility. Also, their adaptation to the needs of those with reduced mobility.
Back in 2016, the Municipal Assembly (SO) adopted the Decision on the installation, i.e. construction and removal of access ramps, elevators and similar facilities for access and movement of persons with reduced mobility and persons with disabilities. However, almost nothing has changed since then for the people of Kolasin, for whom that document was supposed to make everyday life easier.
In addition to showing a constant lack of sensibility and carelessness with non-adapted infrastructure for PWDs, authorities and facility owners also violate several laws. The Law on Prohibition of Discrimination stipulates that everyone has the right to equal access to facilities in public use, the Law on Prevention of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities orders the owners of private and public facilities to make the necessary adaptations so that access to facilities and services is possible for PWDs. The Law on Planning and Construction defines the concept and aspects of physical accessibility.
Bonus video:
