The Coalition of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK) is advocating for solutions to the inaccessibility of urban public transportation for persons with disabilities in Zenica.

The primary issue with public transport lies in the lack of coordination between the city’s municipal structures and transport companies, as well as the non-compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities regarding accessible environments across all sectors. Their goal is to revise the criteria for public tenders to select transport providers, ensuring that a specific number of vehicles offer physical and sensory accessibility. Currently, the public tender for transport providers does not include criteria, beyond basic requirements for public transportation, that address the accessibility of vehicles for persons with disabilities (including those who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, wheelchair users, etc.).

“Persons with disabilities are discriminated against because they cannot use public transport. Unfortunately, our buses and public transport in general lack adequate signaling for individuals with hearing impairments, as well as for blind and visually impaired persons. Wheelchair users also face significant challenges when trying to access public transport. I believe this is unacceptable, and we all deserve equal rights and conditions,” said a member of the coalition.

The inaccessibility of public transport in Zenica has, for years, hindered the mobility and social inclusion of persons with disabilities, thereby limiting their access to education, employment, and healthcare. The long-standing neglect of this issue has resulted in minimal progress, with accessibility efforts primarily focused on traffic infrastructure (e.g., pedestrian crossings, auditory signals) rather than the public transport system itself, both in terms of physical (access) and sensory (audio and visual) accessibility.

Equal access to public transport would enable persons with disabilities to move freely, actively participate in social life, and contribute to the community in ways that align with their abilities and interests.

Investing in inclusive transport would demonstrate that Zenica is actively working to reduce social isolation and build a community that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for everyone.