On October 29th, 2024, the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation (ADRF), in collaboration with its regional partners HANDIKOS Kosova, Polio Plus from North Macedonia, and the Albanian National Association of Deaf (ANAD), organized the regional conference “Disability Alliances for Disability-Inclusive Reforms in the Region.” This significant event brought together key actors from Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia to discuss and advance the rights of persons with disabilities, with a focus on accessibility and political participation.
The conference kicked off with a keynote speech from Ms. Blerta Drenofci, Executive Director of ADRF, who highlighted the persistent challenges facing persons with disabilities and the ongoing efforts needed to ensure they have equal access to public spaces and the opportunity to fully participate in political and public life.
Throughout the day, the conference offered a platform for representatives from governments, civil society organizations, independent human rights institutions, and parliamentary bodies to share their perspectives and best practices. Keynote speakers included Ms. Klodiana Spahiu, Deputy Chair of the Committee on Labor, Social Affairs, and Health in the Albanian Parliament, a member of the Albanian Disability Parliamentary Lobbying Group; Mr. Habit Hajredini, Director of the Office for Good Governance, Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo; Ms. Emilija Angelova, Member of Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia; and Ms. Eneida Capo and Ms. Rozalba Merdani, from Albania’s Ministries of Health and Social Protection, and Education and Sports, respectively. These speakers provided valuable insights into their institutions’ ongoing efforts and collaboration with civil society to increase accessibility in physical infrastructure, communication, transportation, education, and more.
A central theme of the conference was the vital role that civil society organizations play in advocating for disability rights reforms. Several successful examples of advocacy and collaboration were shared, including:
– The establishment of the Parliamentary Disability Group in Albania, which has been instrumental in holding the Government of Albania accountable for disability-inclusive policies and ensuring that all laws are analyzed from the perspective of disability rights.
– HANDIKOS’ intensive dialogue with members of the Kosovo Parliament to integrate the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) into the country’s Constitution, as well as its work with the Kosovo Government to enhance accessibility in public spaces, communication, and information. Kosovo is now offering sign language interpreters and developing vocalized Albanian to ensure access to information for individuals with hearing and visual impairments.
– The revitalization of the Disability Parliamentary Lobbying Group in North Macedonia, with new members following the recent elections, and ongoing dialogue with disability organizations to advance the rights of persons with disabilities in the country.
In addition to these speakers, disability experts and disability activists, members of the National Associations of Persons with Disabilities (NAPWD) and Indpendent Himan Rights Institutions (Ombudsman and Commission on Protection against Discrimination such as Mr. Afrim Maliqi, Mrs. Bardhylka Kospiri, Mrs. Natasha Amdiju, Mr. Sergej Shavreski, and Mrs. Latife Neziri, Mr. Muse Shigjeqi provided findings from reports on the compliance of national legislation with the CRPD, particularly focusing on accessibility and political participation. They addressed challenges related to legislation implementation and offered recommendations for harmonization across the region.
The discussions that followed the presentations underscored the importance of joint action and regional cooperation, not only within the three countries represented at the conference but also across the broader Western Balkans. Participants recognized the potential for sharing best practices and leveraging expertise to create meaningful reforms. Most countries in the region, except Kosovo, are EU candidates, tasked with aligning their national frameworks with EU social inclusion standards under Chapters 19 (Social Policy and Employment) and 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) of the EU Acquis. By working together, the Western Balkans can accelerate their progress in achieving these standards.
The ADRF and its partners express gratitude to all the institutional representatives for their valuable contributions to this important dialogue. A Joint Declaration was discussed and shared with participants, to be signed by disability organizations in the three WBC and addressed to EU DG NEAR, Regional Cooperation Council, national governments.
The conference was held as part of the Disability Alliances for the Development of Inclusive Reforms in the Region (DADIRR) project supported within the framework of the SMART Balkans —Civil Society for Shared Values in the Western Balkans program, financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
