As part of the project "Improving the Position of Children with Developmental Disabilities and Their Parents", the Association for People with Autism "Children of Light" from Banja Luka launched an initiative to remove the age limit of 30 years for exercising rights and support for people with developmental disabilities, through a proposal to amend Articles 36a and 36v of the Law on Child Protection of the Republic of Srpska.

The aim of the initiative is to provide equal opportunities for all people with developmental disabilities, regardless of their age, so that they can have access to adequate support throughout their lives. The association believes that the age limit artificially limits the rights of people with developmental disabilities and leads to additional discrimination against their families.

"My child is atypical in everything, especially in speech, where speech is absent. She is not verbal, so I am the one who must recognize her needs. If her needs are not recognized in time, aggression occurs. Also, she does not know danger, which is why she must be under constant supervision," says Snežana Gavrilović, a parent caregiver.

Our mission is to ensure a dignified life for people with developmental disabilities and 100% disability even after they reach the age of 30, because their needs do not end with adulthood. On the contrary, they become even more pronounced then,” says the Association “Children of Light”.

By launching this initiative, which is addressed to all parliamentary groups in the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, the Association wants to encourage a dialogue with institutions and the public about the necessity of a systemic solution that will enable long-term support for all people with developmental disabilities.

This initiative represents an important step towards improving the position of children and adults with developmental disabilities, in accordance with international standards and principles of equal rights.