The objective of the peer review in Croatia is to discuss and share experiences on ways to improve the access, availability and quality of services for young people with disabilities, in particular in the areas of health, education and employment.

Specifically, the peer review investigated which are the key elements to support and ensure equal access to services for young people with disabilities.

The peer review also discussed concrete examples on how existing services at local level can become accessible for young people with disabilities.

The peer review explored how all relevant actors (policy makers, health professionals, NGOs and service providers) can work together with the common goal of improving access and providing high-quality access to services.

Finally, it analysed which monitoring and evaluation models are designed and put in place in the peer countries.

The Croatian Institute of Public Health hosted the event. Participants from Cyprus, Finland, Malta, the Netherlands and Slovenia exchanged lessons learned, good and innovative practices.

All documents related to this Peer Review, including host country discussion, thematic and peer commenting papers/presentaitons as well as the short report are availabe on this website after the event. 

Context

In Croatia, disability is recognised as a human rights issue and also became part of social policy through the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007.

Nonetheless, young people with disabilities, aged 15 to 30, and their families still face various barriers to access services that will give them adequate guidance, information and support.

Recently, the Croatian Government adopted their National Strategy for the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities 2017-2020, and showed its commitment to promoting a multi-sectoral approach.

Even if young people are only briefly mentioned, the strategy sets out comprehensive measures to improve access to education, health care and employment for people with disabilities.