The Ombudsman, Endrit Shabani, committed to coordinating the work to solve some of the most pressing mobility problems of persons with disabilities, starting with transportation and parking. The commitment was made at a meeting with the network of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPAD), held at the premises of Caritas Albania.

"Accessibility is not a favor given to persons with disabilities. It is an obligation to correct an injustice, as buildings and public transportation vehicles are often not designed to serve the needs of everyone," said Mr. Shabani.

Specifically, the Ombudsman will request that taxi fleets include vehicles suitable for wheelchair users, as well as the digitalization of the parking card, so that the burden of proof shifts to the state and not to the citizen, who is currently forced to go through a bureaucratic ordeal to obtain a special parking card in dedicated areas.

People with disabilities face obstacles every day that start with public transport: stations lack the necessary infrastructure and boarding a bus is almost impossible for those using a wheelchair. Finding a suitable taxi, both in Tirana and in the districts, remains a difficult mission, while the few parking spaces dedicated to them are blocked by other vehicles.

Ensuring accessibility is not only a constitutional and domestic legal obligation, but also an obligation stemming from the European integration process: approximation to EU standards requires accessible transport, services and public spaces for all, and progress in this area is measured as part of Albania’s assessment on the path to membership.

The organizations also recalled the urgent need to approve the subsistence minimum, a request that the Ombudsman has repeatedly articulated, describing the current monthly payments as too low for a dignified life.

The Ombudsman will follow up on these issues with the responsible public bodies and will publicly inform on their progress.