Freedom Drive Conference Strasbourg, 10 September 2013 Independent Living, disability and politics Gordana Rajkov, CIL Serbia

Even if you don’t want to deal with the politics Politics is anyhow dealing with you and influencing your life Therefore we must take part in the politics, if we want to have control over our lives and achieve IL

Example The Association of European Election Officials (ACEEEO) held conference in September 2012 in Sarajevo topic of the conference was 'Participation in Election Processes of Persons with Disabilities'. topic of the conference was 'Participation in Election Processes of Persons with Disabilities'. 145 electoral professionals and guest from 45 countries No persons with disabilities No access to all places

CRPD Article 29 - Participation in political and public life persons with disabilities should fully participate in political and public life, including The right to vote in elections and become a candidate in elections Get a job in the public service, etc

how people with disabilities take part in politics? joining political parties most efficient, if you want to change the system, you have to get inside it Advocate through organisations of people with disabilities. joining organisations of people interested in politics CIL Serbia research showed Only 37% DPOs cooperate with political parties 60% financial support Only 12% of cooperation is advocacy and lobbing

How did I get involved? Disability leader and advocate for many years, but never member of any political party Invited as an expert and non-party member in G17 plus. Offer to be on the election list and promised to become MP if they get enough seats there?

Becoming MP Become the first ever MP, person with disability in Serbian Parliament Become the first ever MP, person with disability in Serbian Parliament No access to plenary sessions room, toalets No access to plenary sessions room, toalets No access to speaker’s box No access to speaker’s box No recognition of need for any additional support No recognition of need for any additional support

To be able to perform the duties of MP I had to fight to provide physical access to Parliament I had to fight to provide physical access to Parliament To get support to engage PA To get support to engage PA To make them realize my personal needs during hours long sessions, field trips, transport………….. To make them realize my personal needs during hours long sessions, field trips, transport…………..

However, new possibilities I got Opportunity to create and directly influence the public policy and process of creating legislation Opportunity to create and directly influence the public policy and process of creating legislation Open up the channels for PWD community to convey our messages and demands Open up the channels for PWD community to convey our messages and demands Opportunity to take part in discussions in the different Parliament Committees Opportunity to take part in discussions in the different Parliament Committees Direct access to MPs Easier access to the Government bodies and officials, Ministers, experts who are drafting laws’ proposals

……….. also Opportunity to directly organize events in the Parliament like Public Hearings, Visits of PWD representatives Open doors to different international and national institutions, agencies Better access to media representatives

Impacts made Huge raising of public disability awareness Changes in public perception of abilities of disable people More visibility through presence in media, TV, political public events More influence on Government disability policy Contribution to mainstreaming disability in public policies and legislation Encouraging and motivated other disable people to get in political public arena in their communities

Physical Access Physical Access Sign Language Interpreters Sign Language Interpreters Amendments to election party program related to PWD Amendments to election party program related to PWD At the very start while taking part at election conventions and promotion events, I advocated for

During my work as MP Took part in discussions, improvement and adoption of the number of laws both directly related to disabled persons and other general public laws, improving conditions for PWD and IL, such was in when we managed to include PA service in system of state social support Took part in discussions, improvement and adoption of the number of laws both directly related to disabled persons and other general public laws, improving conditions for PWD and IL, such was in when we managed to include PA service in system of state social support I put more then160 amendments to 35 different laws out of which more then 70% percent has been adopted I put more then160 amendments to 35 different laws out of which more then 70% percent has been adopted

As well as that I managed Put MP questions to Government and different ministries related to problems of PWD, measures taken to resolve them and require answers Analyze and discuss the Annual work reports of different ministries at Parliament sessions Provide access to halls for plenary and commission sessions, toilets, page on Parliament website …. Organize number of meetings and events in the Parliament that included PWD

Disadvantages and challenges Usually, colleagues MPs and Decision makers don’t measure your work in light of disability, but towards personal qualities and contribution you can make Usually, colleagues MPs and Decision makers don’t measure your work in light of disability, but towards personal qualities and contribution you can make Great, equality at last! - but…………. Great, equality at last! - but…………. There is no awareness of need for equalization of opportunities thought provision of conditions and necessary specific support to enable you to perform your duties There is no awareness of need for equalization of opportunities thought provision of conditions and necessary specific support to enable you to perform your duties ………… which at the end again shows still existing general attitudes towards disability ………… which at the end again shows still existing general attitudes towards disability

Disadvantages and Challenges It is difficult to get into the national political bodies if you are not high positioned member of some political party You are obliged first to present political party interest not always in accordance with stands of disability movement There is a danger to be seen as an opposition and louse influence as disability advocate, once when this party is not in ruling power any more ! Not necessary that you will always have support from PWD and their organization, due to the different interest in the movement – you could never pleased everybody !

But, at the end of the day… You could make changes for PWD It is great learning and life experience and Worthily “journey to the stars” if you are prepared to take the road sometimes covered by the thorns