Socijalni položaj osoba s invaliditetom s posebnim osvrtom na studente s invaliditetom

The issue discussed in this paper concerns the social position of persons with disabilities in the Republic of Croatia with special reference to students with disabilities. The paper seeks to provide a rough insight into the current situation and point out the possibilities for further progress in the importance of higher education for people with disabilities. The Republic of Croatia is a member of the European Union, and is also a signatory to numerous international documents, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. With the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, descendants and laws, the Republic of Croatia has adopted a principle that is in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In this way, it moved away from the medical to the social model of policy towards people with disabilities. But still insufficiently. Therefore, efforts are being made to extend the social model completely to the human rights model. The reason for this is that people with disabilities are, above all, rights holders just like any other person. Starting from the very inconsistent terminology and definition of disability and the people with disabilities themselves, there is room for a lot of mistakes in dealing with the whole subject group of people. The same is evident in the health care system, the education system, but also in the employment and many other areas. Guided by the model of human rights and its importance for a better social position of all, including students with disabilities, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, every person has the right to education, under equal conditions and in accordance with its abilities. To create an inclusive society, without discrimination, it is necessary to strengthen social solidarity and further engagement of all stakeholders, ie communities globally. This would bring real, not just formal, perceived action at lower levels.