Legal Framework for Support Services for Persons with Disabilities in Serbia

Abstract

The new Law on Social Protection which Parliament of Serbia adopted in March 2011 prescribes for setting up of support services for independent living, including personal assistance, supported housing and provision of training for independent living for persons with disabilities in their respective communities by the local authorities. The authors analysed documents of international law, national legislation and examples of good practices in the field of support services in Serbia: Personal assistant service organized by Center for Independent Living of Serbia, supported housing organized by Association for Promotion of Inclusion in Serbia and day-care centers. Analysis shows that users of the abovementioned Services were satisfied with those services and maintained that such programs should become part of the system of social security of Serbia.