To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Red Cross of Serbia participated in the public dialogue “Dignified and Equal in Rights”, held on 3 December in Niš. At the panel titled “Informing the Public about the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Barriers They Face”, the Red Cross of Serbia was represented by Nataša Todorović, psychologist at the Red Cross of Serbia.

In her address, she emphasized that informing the public is a key prerequisite for the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities, as rights cannot be exercised if they are not recognized and understood. Although we live in a time when information is more accessible than ever, persons with disabilities still face deeply rooted stereotypes and prejudices.

When the public is not informed:

• discrimination becomes normalized,
• institutions remain unresponsive,
• and persons with disabilities become invisible in society.

Informing the public is not a one-time campaign but a continuous process that transforms culture, behavior, and societal expectations. A well-informed public contributes to greater awareness of rights, reduced stigma, increased participation of persons with disabilities in community life, and stronger pressure on institutions to improve their policies and practices. Public communication must be grounded in facts, real-life stories, positive examples, and the active involvement of persons with disabilities.

Special attention must be given to the intersection of ageing and disability, a dimension that is often overlooked. It is particularly important to highlight that the intersection of ageism and ableism produces some of the most profound forms of discrimination—those that push older persons with disabilities into complete social invisibility.

The Red Cross of Serbia will continue, through cooperation with institutions, local governments, and civil society organizations, to contribute to public awareness-raising, the development of support services, and the protection of the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities.