Regional Plan for Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities in the South Moravian Region

People with disabilities continue to face barriers to accessing information, services, or public spaces. At the same time, there is no common, clear framework to unify the approach of the region, local authorities, institutions, and other stakeholders to promoting equal opportunities. 

Another important issue is involving people with disabilities themselves in decision-making on matters that affect them. We therefore do not wish to draw up the new regional plan merely ‘for them’, but above all with them.

The aim is to draw up and approve a new Regional Plan for Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities in the South Moravian Region, covering five years. 

This will not be yet another strategy or a list of individual measures. The plan is intended, first and foremost, to serve as a shared framework of values and methodology – a document setting out the principles and recommendations on which the region, local authorities, public institutions, organizations and other partners can rely when developing policies, services and making decisions.

We will develop the plan through a participatory process. We will involve representatives from the South Moravian Region, local authorities, organizations, service providers, and, above all, people with disabilities themselves in its development.

We will set up a working group, hold at least four focus groups, and meet at least three times. In total, we aim to involve approximately 40–50 people from the target groups and partner organizations. 

We will then link their experiences, needs and suggestions with existing strategies, methodologies, research and other relevant documents. The result will be a jointly developed and professionally drafted plan, ready for approval by the South Moravian Region.

The aim is not to produce a document that will gather dust in a drawer. It is intended to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are systematically considered in decision-making within the region.

In practice, this means greater emphasis on the accessibility of information, services and public spaces; better coordination between the region, local authorities and institutions; and, above all, greater opportunities for people with disabilities to influence decisions that affect their daily lives.

The approach to equal opportunities will also take into account the differing conditions in Brno and other parts of the South Moravian Region.

During the project, a working group will be established, and focus groups and joint partner meetings will be held. Based on these, we will draft a set of principles and recommendations, which will be validated and then finalized as the Regional Plan.

We will provide updates on the plan’s preparation progress and opportunities for involvement through JINAG’s communication channels and those of the participating partners. Sharing the results will also involve communicating with local authorities, organizations representing people with disabilities, providers of social and related services, and other stakeholders in the South Moravian Region.