Association for life with down syndrome marks 20 years of inclusion advocacy

Sevdija Kujović, president of the Association "Život sa Down sindromom" Federacije BiH, marked two decades of work for the rights of people with Down syndrome in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Kujović described how families previously faced significant barriers when trying to enroll children in regular kindergartens and schools. She noted that some families had to contact multiple institutions before receiving permission for their children to attend.

By connecting with European organizations, the association pushed for inclusive education to ensure children with Down syndrome could develop alongside their peers. While Kujović says schools are more open today, she noted that the quality of inclusion remains a persistent challenge. The association also campaigned to move people with Down syndrome into the workforce. Kujović reported that a company began hiring people with Down syndrome eight years ago, which encouraged the association to work with more employers.

Currently, public institutions like the Općina Centar and the Federalno ministarstvo kulture i sporta have hired people with Down syndrome. Additionally, the Federalno ministarstvo rada i socijalne politike signed an agreement with a student with Down syndrome for an internship. Kujović stated that these successes require high-quality education and supporting technologies to help individuals become more independent. Kujović highlighted that families still face social stigma and harsh treatment from doctors when they first learn their child has Down syndrome.

She described the constant care and worry parents experience, such as checking on their children's safety during their commute to work. To mark the 20 year anniversary, the association installed a book-shaped installation with a QR code at Sarajevo City Centru and placed five benches with audio stories about inclusion in Općina Centar.