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PRE-CONFERENCE SYMPOSIUM DISABILITY STUDIES IN POSTSOCIALIST COUNTRIES AND IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: Disability Policy in Croatia

Disability policy is represented through broader social policy, political and cultural context in accordance to disability in the Republic of Croatia. Living conditions of people with disabilities in Croatia have been emphasized with specific focus on people with intellectual disability. Recognition of disability as a human rights issue is a part of social policy and politics in Croatia. The ratification of the UN Convention on Rights of People with disabilities (2006) affected any subsequent legislation framework in the field of anti-discrimination and national strategies documents.The number of persons with disabilities in the Republic of Croatia is 520 437 which is 12% of the total population (Report of Croatian National Institute for Public Health, 2013). Recent studies have shown that in the Republic of Croatia people with disabilities still face various types of barriers. The reflection has been given on historical and political context, scholarship on disability and medical model approach to rehabilitation. Since the 1990s nation- and state-building as well as academic knowledge influenced changes from medical to social model of disability.Organized support for people with intellectual disabilities focused on community based support and family-centred approach. The process of transformation of institutions started in 2011 and there has been an great influence of non-governmental organizations on that process. The recent findings (Lisak, 2013) have shown that there is a gap between formal legislation and its implementation. The present situation is shaped by the legacy of the socialist tradition within the political system as well as the importance of the family and the family support system. There is a great importance of the family support network which have significant role in achieving the quality of life of people with disabilities and families in the country. Christian values and the impact of the Catholic Church organizations plays an important role, as well. The contemporary ideas are developed that reflect on situation of persons with disabilities and their families in the Croatian society which considers society responsible for creating disability trough physical, psychical and social barriers. This contemporary approach respects the right of self-determination, self-representation and respect of persons with disabilities and their families and advocates for change and development of support system in community according to the UN Convention and the European Union strategies in this area.

DISABILITY; POLICY; DISABILITY STUDIES IN POSTSOCIALIST COUNTRIES; EXAMPLE FROM REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

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