Ljubljana, 16th of November 2022 – The National Council of the Republic of Slovenia discussed the conclusions of the consultation and proposes to the Government of the Republic of Slovenia to regulate the status and rights of people with deafblindness.
On the 27th of September, the Deafblind Association of Slovenia DLAN, together with the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia, organised a Consultation on the regulation of the status and rights of people with deafblindness. On the consultation they have presented the situation of people with deafblindness and the proposal of a law on the regulation of the status and rights of people with deafblindness, which would regulate the field of deafblindness properly and in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia.
Today, the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia called on the Government of the Republic of Slovenia with decision to regulate the status and rights of people with deafblindness.
DLAN Association looks forward to a constructive cooperation and dialogue with decision-makers in the field of deafblindness legislation.
Last week, DLAN Association also presented proposal of a law to the public. The speakers highlighted the daily hardships of over 9,700 people with deafblindness in Slovenia (estimated based on demographic criteria), who live in the periphery in constant darkness and silence.
They pointed to the importance of constructive cooperation between all stakeholders in the area of legislation and emphasised that government representatives had confirmed in the past few days that the Government of the Republic of Slovenia would give priority to the regulation of the status of people with deafblindness.
Vinko Trinkaus presented the struggle and needs of people with deafblindness. Dr. Simona Gerenčer presented the activities and international involvement of DLAN Association and the daily problems faced by people with deafblindness. She emphasised the need for the country to take an active role in the care of people with deafblindness. Dr. Iztok Seljak, on behalf of the Lions, Rotary and other charitable organisations, highlighted the shared social responsibility to regulate the status of people with deafblindness. Danijel Kastelic (state councillor) highlighted the constructive participation of representatives of the civil and professional public in the public consultation on deafblindness held at the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia. Matija Urankar from Senica law firm presented the legal solutions and emphasised that the proposal of the law represents the implementation of the right to free use and development of the language of the deafblind and that the state has a positive duty to regulate the status of people with deafblindness.
On the 14th of November, the president of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, presented a special award, the Apple of Inspiration, to Dr. Simona Gerenčer, who is credited with making the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia the first in the world to include a decree on the language of the deafblind. This has made Slovenia a global role model for other countries in their efforts to improve the situation of the most vulnerable group in society.
DLAN Association has been a full member of the World Federation of The Deafblind (WFDB) since 2009. On the 24th and 25tf of November, Ljubljana will host its president, Dr. Sanja Tarczay.
