After analysing the accessibility of the premises of the government and ministries for physically and sensory disabled people, the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia concluded that the above-mentioned bodies do not meet a number of legal requirements. Despite the existing legislation and international obligations that mandate the provision of equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, the accessibility of facilities in public use, including the premises of the Government and ministries, is still not at a sufficient level. 

"The accessibility of facilities in public use for persons with disabilities is a basic assumption for the realisation of many other fundamental human rights and freedoms," warns Ombudsman Peter Svetina. He emphasises that "the inaccessibility of facilities does not only mean that a person cannot enter or move around the facilities, but also that he is denied the possibility of employment in certain institutions or applying for positions in public services and authorities." In accordance with Article 29 of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Republic of Slovenia must enable persons with disabilities to effectively perform tasks and public functions at all levels of government.

In the analysis carried out on the basis of the received questionnaires, serious deficiencies in the accessibility of many key facilities were identified. Among the main problems are inadequate parking spaces for persons with disabilities, inadequately marked and difficult-to-access entrances, insufficient signage to facilitate the orientation of people with sensory disabilities, and a lack of adaptations in vertical connections (elevators, stairs). It also often happens that the requirements for the accessibility of toilets are not met, which represents an important obstacle to equal participation in everyday life.

The Ombudsman is particularly concerned about the non-fulfilment of requirements in the Ministry of Health, which plays a key role in the field of health care. Of the 13 accessibility requirements, it meets only the minimum requirements, such as parking spaces and an elevator for persons with disabilities, while access to the facility remains difficult. "A mobile access device can only be acceptable as a temporary measure and cannot fully comply with the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability, as it does not allow persons with disabilities to use the facility independently," points out Ombudsman Svetina. 

The Ombudsman called on the Government to arrange the appropriate adjustments as quickly as possible. He also recommended that it form a working group that will thoroughly analyse the accessibility of all government facilities and prepare concrete measures to eliminate perceived deficiencies. Sufficient funds must be provided for the implementation of all measures, warns Ombudsman Svetina and warns that only timely adaptation of premises can prevent further violations of the rights of persons with disabilities. 

"The Government and ministries have had 15 years to adjust their facilities so that they do not discriminate. The deadline for the adaptation of facilities in public use expires on 11 December 2025, there is only one year and one month left. As elected bodies, the Government and ministries can no longer afford to continue to violate the right of persons with disabilities to equal treatment and access to public functions, services and the possibility of participation in public affairs," emphasises Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina. 

Read more details and findings of the Ombudsman here.