Belgrade, 24 October 2025 – To promote and advance the rights of persons with disabilities in Serbia, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has developed a Roadmap for the Reform of the Disability Assessment System (available in Serbian only). This strategic document establishes the foundation for improving the disability assessment system, focusing on the evaluation of work ability, in line with the social model of disability, human rights principles, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The Roadmap is the result of an extensive consultative process involving representatives of state institutions, persons with various types of disabilities and their organisations, as well as domestic and international experts. 

The document outlines specificsteps to enhance procedures at different levels of disability assessment, including building the capacities of professionals involved, improving data collection systems, and transitioning to a social model of disability. Furthermore, it emphasises gender equality, providing an analysis of the unique challenges faced by women and children with disabilities.

Following the development of the Roadmap, a series of training sessions was organised for members of the disability assessment commissions from the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund of the Republic of Serbia, the National Employment Service, and Occupational Medicine institutions. The aim was to strengthen the application of the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the objectives outlined in the Roadmap recommendations in their professional practice.

The initiative was implemented in partnership with key national institutions, including the Department for Persons with Disabilities within the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy, the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund of the Republic of Serbia, the National Employment Service, and leading organisations of persons with disabilities such as the National organisation of persons with disabilities of Serbia (NOOIS), the Youth with Disabilities Forum, and “Naša kuća” – Association supporting persons with developmental disabilities. 

The Roadmap for Disability Assessment Reform in Serbia was developed within the framework of the project “Strengthening Rights, Equality, and Inclusive Actions”, jointly implemented by UN Women, UNFPA, and UNDP, with financial support from the Global Disability Fund (GDF).