Božović: Bijelo Polje is a city where full accessibility for people with disabilities still does not exist

Performance of persons with disabilities before the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund: Institutions in Bijelo Polje are insufficiently accessible for persons with disabilities

3087 views 1 comment(s)
Photo: Jadrankla Ćetković
Photo: Jadrankla Ćetković
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Bijelo Polje is a city where full accessibility for people with disabilities still does not exist, said Dragana Božović, executive director of the "Nova žena" Association.

She said this today at a performance titled "Our Right - Right to Access", organized by the Association for the Affirmation and Support of Women with Disabilities "Nova žena" in cooperation with organizations of people with disabilities, held in front of the building of the Pension Fund and the Health Insurance Fund in Bijelo Polje.

The performance was supported by numerous organizations and citizens.

Bijelo Polje
photo: Jadrankla Ćetković

Božović explained that the fact that some institutions have access ramps does not mean much because they do not have elevators or other forms of accessibility, such as the availability of information, communication, support services, and system solutions that enable equal access for all citizens.

"We are not here to accuse anyone, we are here to talk, show reality and to look for solutions together. Inaccessibility affects not only people with disabilities, but also the elderly, pregnant women, parents with strollers, the sick and all citizens who at some point face limited mobility or the need for additional support," said Božović.

Bijelo Polje
photo: Jadrankla Ćetković

Božović pointed out that this problem cannot be solved by the local community alone, but that systemic solutions and clear support at the national level are needed, and said that accessibility is a shared responsibility.

Addressing those present, the Head of the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund, Dragan Nedović, said that the Fund is an institution that has always been available to everyone.

"Considering your problems and needs, we have always tried to meet your needs, so our employees have repeatedly visited your home addresses or appeared in front of this institution in order to fulfill your requests. The Pension and Disability Insurance Fund is an institution that is always available to all citizens, all insured persons and users, it has been and always will be. I want us to achieve your goals together and for it to never happen that someone cannot approach us," said Nedović.

Bijelo Polje
photo: Jadrankla Ćetković

The performance is part of the project "Our Law - Our Future", which is implemented with the financial support of the non-governmental organizations MANS and "Our Action", within the framework of the broader project "Empowering Community Voices: Advocating for Justice and the Rule of Law", funded by the European Union through the EU Delegation to Montenegro.

Bonus video: