The Architecture Advisory Council “For the quality of life without barriers” was established in 2001 on the International Day of Invalids.  The Advisory Council is envisioned as a bureau where persons with disabilities and other interested citizens of the Republic of Croatia, can get free professional advice regarding architectonic adjustments to people with disabilities.

They can also get certain information which is relevant and related to the issues such as elimination of environmental obstacles, bettering of the life standard of the people with disabilities, including making their every day surrounding more available to them. The Advisory Council does not only provide advisory help to individuals and professioal institutions, but to other organizations that work on disability issue, as well.

The aims of the Architecture Advisory Council are: 

  • Advising and supporting the persons with disabilities around apartment decoration, apartment approach and environment, equipment supplies and accessories;
  • Collecting and providing information about regulations, projects, production of equipment and accessories and other things related to life problems of persons with disabilities;
  • Cooperating with governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations regarding creation of regulations and implementation of projects for raising the life quality of persons with disabilities;
  • Changing awareness of citizens and their relations toward persons with disabilities.

Over 250 projects implemented 
Since 2001, Advisory Council implemented more than 250 projects where 100 out of 250 could be seen as architectonic solutions for buildings, while the rest of 150 relates to various advices and consultations regarding implementation and development of the works regarding the availability issue, equipment and accessories for people with disabilities or serving the information and giving logistics support. Projects are focused on institutions or public environment and individuals. 

It is important to note that the Advisory Council is the only institution in Republic of Croatia that advises the citizens without fee and provides ideas for projects regarding availability issue. Advisory Council acts as part of Croatian Alliance of Associations for Physical Invalids HSUTI, which is significant instrument for promotion of the work of the Advisory Council and continual information service for the population with disabilities. 

Future of the Advisory Council 
Numerous calls confirm every day the purpose of existence of the Advisory Council. So far, advises and information are being given on regular basis, certain issues regarding every day problems with availability issues for persons with disabilities are being pointed out, but most frequently citizens ask for professional help regarding making the apartments and homes, public objects and walking areas more available to people with disabilities.

In the following months, Advisory Council plans to conduct the database of professionally and quality developed building adjustments for persons with disabilities, on buildings of different typology and purpose in Croatia.

“Recently, the Advisory Council, together with HSUTI, started with the project called “Availability – Basic Human Rights” where educational trainings and seminars for architects are envisioned to be conducted in 10 regional associations of architects throughout whole Republic of Croatia”, says mr.med.sc. Mirjana Dobranovic, president of Association for Promotion of Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities – APEO. 

Lectures are being realized with the support of Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction of Republic of Croatia and in co-operation with Croatian Chamber of Architects.

“Such cooperation and work with architects will surely contribute to the results in Croatian society regarding the awareness and knowledge on availability issue and what obstacle it represents to persons with disabilities to enjoy their mobility rights”, adds Dobranovic.

The extent and number of unadjusted public institutions and environments to persons with disabilities, and 11% of citizens with some kind of disability in Croatia (in numbers, around 490.000 persons) are good indicators of the need and purpose of the Advisory Council in Republic of Croatia.

The Advisory Council will thus, continue with realizing its mission in order to eliminate existing barriers for people with disabilities in Croatian architecture and environmental surrounding.