Deaf Union of Serbia Celebrates Jubilee

Cvejic said how very pleased he was to be the invited to the celebration of eight decades of the existence and operation of the Deaf Union of Serbia, stressing that he was speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the National Assembly's informal Working Group for the Support of Persons with Disabilities. Cvejic spoke of historical figures who left an indelible mark on humanity such as Ludwig Van Beethoven, Thomas Edison, Helen Keller, who were deaf from the start or lost their hearing during their lifetime. He said that these examples should permanently remind us of what the inner world of people who do not have the sense of hearing looks like and who built their inner world differently and more diversely. He also pointed out the importance of community and solidarity for people with disabilities in today's society, adding that they are key factors of social inclusion.

The President of the Deaf Union, Mihailo Gordic, also thanked National Assembly Speaker Ana Branbic, who provided support in organising today's gathering, as well as the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, Sector for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities, and with whom the Union cooperates and who help and improve its work. He reminded the attending that sign language in the Republic of Serbia was recognised in 2015 and that without members of the Union and local organisations, the Union could not even function. He also highlighted cooperation with the Deaf Union of Kosovo-Metohija and the Deaf Union of Vojvodina, stressing that all associations work together to improve the position of the deaf and hard of hearing throughout Serbia. He pointed out that the Union still has a lot of work to do when it comes to the general position of deaf and hard of hearing people, especially in the field of education, health and other areas where deaf people need sign language access as well as support from society. Gordic said that Serbia without barriers for deaf people is a sign language that ensures the exercise of their rights, and that for deaf people Serbia without barriers is the provision of aids and assistive technologies.

Biljana Barosevic, Assistant Minister in the Sector for Persons with Disabilities, also addressed the gathering and highlighted the good partnership between the Union and the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, stressing that only by working together can we create a Serbia without barriers.