Šćekić: Enhancing legal frameworks to create a better environment for children and youth with developmental disabilities

Deputy Prime Minister for Demography and Youth and Minister of Sports and Youth Dragoslav Šćekić met with representatives of the National Association of Parents of Children and Youth with Developmental Disabilities in Montenegro - NARDOS.

During the meeting, representatives of NARDOS informed Deputy Prime Minister Šćekić, who is also the President of the Council for the Rights of the Child, about the problems faced by their association.

President of NARDOS Savo Knežević highlighted the history and importance of the Association, evidenced by years of existence and the number of members, including parents, children, and youth with developmental disabilities, as well as the Association's mission to contribute to the inclusion of children and youth with developmental disabilities in the social and work environment by supporting the development of social and healthcare services, education, employment, strengthening families, and raising awareness in society about their rights and possibilities.

Deputy Prime Minister Šćekić agreed that a more dedicated and qualitative approach must be taken to advocate for the rights of children and youth with developmental disabilities at the national level to enhance cooperation with relevant ministries and institutions, which at the mentioned level work on improving the status of children and youth with developmental disabilities and their families.

Association representatives also emphasised the importance of their activities and their significant contribution to the effective functioning of the support services, including daily and half-day care, physical, defectological and occupational therapy, assistance from support assistants, psychological support to parents, educational and creative workshops.

Deputy Prime Minister Šćekić concluded that the assistance of government representatives is needed for organisations exclusively dealing with support services for children and youth with developmental disabilities and persons with disabilities, and that through the Council for the Rights of the Child, he will initiate all topics and present problems faced by these associations and beneficiaries, and through the improvement of legal frameworks, help in creating a better overall environment.