A meeting of the Local Advocacy Group was held in Čelić, organized by the Coalition of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities of the Tuzla Canton, with the aim of establishing cooperation with the local administration and appointing a contact person for issues of importance to persons with disabilities.

During the meeting, the previously sent request to establish a contact person who would act as an intermediary in communication between relevant municipal services and users, i.e. persons with disabilities, was discussed. Special attention is paid to the need for timely information on rights, services and available forms of support for persons with disabilities.

As an important result of the meeting, a contact person for consultations on disability issues was appointed, which opened a more direct channel of communication between the local administration and organizations of people with disabilities. It was also agreed that drafts and decisions of importance for persons with disabilities will be submitted to organizations of persons with disabilities for consultation and the inclusion of their perspectives in decision-making processes.

It was also agreed to install an information panel featuring recommendations on how to approach and communicate with persons with various types of disabilities, as well as contact details for relevant organizations addressing disability issues in the Tuzla Canton area.

At the meeting, contact was established with the representatives of the Municipality of Čelić, Midhat Beganović, advisor to the mayor, and Merisa Smajić, secretary of the Municipality, which created additional foundations for continued cooperation.

The meeting took place in an extremely constructive atmosphere and represents a significant step towards building continuous cooperation between organizations of people with disabilities and local authorities. The concrete steps agreed open space for a better exchange of information, consultations and joint action with the aim of improving the position and realizing the rights of persons with disabilities in the local community.

Cooperation has also been established with representatives of the Čelić Health Center, and an agreement was reached to set up an information desk at the Health Center.

The meeting was held within the framework of the DISC project, with financial support Caritas Bosnia and Herzegovina.