Croatian Union of Physically Disabled
Persons Associations (CUPDPA) programme in 2003 – European year of Persons with
Disabilities
The Croatian Union of Physically Disabled Persons
Associations (CUPDPA), which has a network of 53 local associations with 11,500
members, has already undertaken or plans the following activities as per FIMITIC
questions:
1. Specific initiatives, communications/media campaigns of
your association for events/actions in the EYPD?
- Each CUPDPA event and meeting within the Union or with
governmental or nongovernmental organizations held in the %rst three months of
2003 started by mentioning the EYPD. We always specially emphasize the EYPD
slogan «About us always with us», advocating the right of persons with
disabilities to participate in making decisions about them.
The picture
book «Children’s Etiquette or how to be friends with everybody» for pre-school
and elementary school children has been translated into English. The book
teaches children how to behave toward persons with disabilities showing
tolerance and respecting differences. This will be the Croatian contribution
to European countries.- CUPDPA president has mentioned the EYPD in somel0
lectures that she has so far delivered to different groups (Caritas, Rotary
club, Government institutions, local associations of people with disabilities,
etc.) and during about 10 TV or radio appearances.
EYPD was on
the agenda of the CUPDPA presidency meeting and a letter was sent out to all
local associations (53) with instructions for emphasizing EYPD and putting the
rights of persons with disabilities on top of the agenda.- In cooperation with governmental institutions, CUPDPA has
started the FIRST survey of the situation and needs of persons with
disabilities (a poll conducted in 21 counties of Croatia, involving a
questionnaire with 50 questions).
We are
establishing new associations in the parts where there are none now – the
Adriatic islands.
2. Initiative to influence your Government to involve
discrimination against people with disabilities in its
political agenda – Round table «Disability as a social responsibility» was held
with participation of the highest Government representatives, who took up the
commitment to precipitate passing the legal acts, which are being prepared for
discussion, and conducting a survey of the situation of people with disabilities
in Croatia. Another round table «Equal rights for persons with disabilities»,
foreseen for the end of this year, will be devoted to eliminating one of
discriminations present in Croatia – differences based on
disabilities.
3. The coordinating committee for EYPD was founded only on
18 November 2002 though CUPDPA initiated its formation in April 2002. The
program designed by the coordinating committee was adopted at the meeting of the
Government commission for persons with disabilities in Croatia on 6 February
2003. CUPDPA president is the chairperson of the coordinating committee as
well.
4. Activities funded by the Government: Part of the
activities of the EYPD marking program and reviewing the accessibility of social
welfare and health care centers to persons with disabilities.
5. Specific campaigns or events in your country for
2003:
Production
of posters and flyers, two round tables, a convoy from Vukovar to Dubrovnik, a
theatre performance by people with disabilities of Vinkovci, as a gift of
people with disabilities to Croatian citizens, two concerts of the Zagreb
Philharmonic Orchestra and the world-famous ensemble LADO.
Besides the
planned activities, a number of events will be organized by 1000 Croatian
associations of persons with disabilities. Information about these events will
be available from the web sites of these associations and the Government
committee for persons with disabilities.