On the occasion December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities:

Information Center for Persons with Disabilities "Lotos" together with the Coalition of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities of the Tuzla Canton, traditionally, eleventh For the past year, it has been organizing a reception for representatives of government institutions, business representatives and other public figures from various segments of society. The purpose of hosting the reception is for organizations of people with disabilities to present their work in the previous year, and to highlight problems and topics that should be worked on more in the coming period, so that the quality of life and inclusion in society of individuals with disabilities can be changed for the better.

Assessing that most societies in the world still do not do enough to create preconditions for full inclusion and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities, the United Nations proclaimed that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities be celebrated this year under the motto: "Breaking down barriers, opening doors: an inclusive society and development for all"".

According to this motto, The Information Center for Persons with Disabilities "Lotos" together with the Coalition of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities of the Tuzla Canton started implementing the Campaign entitled: "Stop barriers - Tuzla Canton tailored to all citizens" within which citizens' signatures are collected in the municipalities of the Tuzla Canton for a petition that will be sent to government institutions and demand the implementation of architectural accessibility standards regulated through laws on spatial planning and construction and by-laws, in both entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. By ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2010, Bosnia and Herzegovina committed itself to the implementation of the highest international standards in the field of accessibility.

So far, the implementation of the Campaign has collected around 2,300 signatures of citizens, who demand the consistent application of accessibility standards in the area of environmental planning, building construction, use of public transport, accessibility of information and accessibility of services, as well as the application of sanctions if these standards are not respected.

During 2013, with the support of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the preparation of an Action Plan in the field of disability began in the Tuzla Canton, which will ensure the implementation of the Strategy for Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also empower organizations of persons with disabilities to participate equally in the process of creating policies related to persons with disabilities and monitor their implementation as partners of government institutions.

"We believe that due to the above, as well as other activities of organizations and institutions, the lives of people with disabilities will be more dignified, and people with disabilities will be able to be included in society and enjoy the rights they are entitled to under equal conditions as other citizens," said, among others, Suvad Zahirović, executive director of the Information Center for People with Disabilities "Lotos" and president of the Coalition of Organizations of People with Disabilities of the Tuzla Canton.