"In previous years, during my mandate as Prime Minister of Serbia, numerous initiatives and projects were implemented with the aim of improving the position of persons with disabilities. Digital textbooks for the deaf in Serbian sign language have been launched, and the "SOS for the Deaf" application has been provided for the needs of the National Center for Serbian Sign Language Interpreting, which enables free phone calls with hearing persons through an interpreter for the Serbian language," said the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic.

With the help of funds from partners from the European Union, the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Belgrade was presented with a specialised vehicle for the transportation of persons with disabilities.

"The issuance of electronic parking stickers was made possible at the initiative of persons with disabilities, which is the first electronic service in Serbia intended exclusively for persons with disabilities, and since it was launched there have been thousands of requests submitted via the eGovernment Portal in 51 local self-governments across our country. In order to further facilitate parking for persons with disabilities and to prevent illegal parking in places intended for persons with disabilities, the fine was doubled from the previous 5,000 to 10,000 dinars," said the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic.

She said that "a lot has been done to improve accessibility, so in less than 3 years more than 100 ramps have been installed in more than 40 local self-governments. In the field of education, over the past few years, efforts have been made to improve the accessibility of 34 kindergartens, 83 elementary and 42 secondary schools, and 23 faculties. Regional tourist attractions, such as the viewpoint on the Ovcar-Kablar gorge, will be fully accessible to wheelchair users. Also, efforts are being made to improve the accessibility of spas throughout Serbia, with the Sijarina spa in Medvedja becoming the first wheelchair accessible spa in Serbia. Funds have been secured for equipping and digitising the largest library for blind persons in the Balkans "Dr Milan Budimir".

“Sound signals have been installed at the traffic lights, equipment for inclusive playgrounds is being built, camps for children with disabilities are being organised and campaigns are being carried out with the aim of overcoming prejudices against persons with disabilities".

The Speaker said that all this is a reason to continue working so that we can create a society that recognises diversity and creates equal opportunities for everyone.

She told the representatives of the associations that the National Assembly is a place where it is possible to affect the construction of a more inclusive society in a more systematic way, and that in her new post she will continue to work intensively with the representatives of the associations of persons with disabilities.

As step number one, the Speaker announced the establishment of an interparliamentary group of MPs and persons with disabilities, which she will chair, with the aim of identifying the pressing needs of persons with disabilities in a continuous, joint dialogue and working to solve their biggest difficulties.

In addition to the Speaker, the meeting in the Parliament was attended by the Chairman of the Committee on Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality Aleksandar Markovic, Chairman of the Committee on Labour, Social Issues, Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Haji Milorad Stosic and representatives of the National Organisation of Persons with Disabilities of Serbia (NOOIS), Association of Cerebral Palsy and Polio of Serbia, Serbian Alliance for Accessibility, Union of the Blind of Serbia, City Organisation of the Blind in Belgrade, Deaf Union, City Organization of the Deaf in Belgrade and the Association of Dystrophists of Belgrade.