I am Jasmina Barać-Perović (45). I was born in Belgrade where I completed elementary school before moving to Niš, and there I attended Stevan Sremac Gymnasium. At 15, I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, which has left me with a disability. I graduated from the Faculty of Law and have worked as a counselor at the Republic Health Insurance Fund for over 15 years. In 2001, I founded the Niš Association of Students with Disabilities to advocate for better accessibility to universities and introduce scholarships for students with disabilities. In 2007, I established the organization From The Circle (Serbian: Iz kruga) Niš, focusing on the rights and support of people with disabilities, especially women. In 2020, I became the first deputy with a disability in the Niš City Assembly. Through Heartefact’s project, I aim to advocate for women with disabilities, ensuring they are not invisible. It is crucial to raise awareness that disability is not a defining characteristic, and since anyone can become a person with disabilities, it is necessary to provide equal participation opportunities in all social spheres. My focus is on abilities in line with education, rather than obstacles, providing true equality and opportunities for people with disabilities. I aim to implement the best practices from European countries to improve the position of people with disabilities, ensuring they have equal opportunities in all aspects of life.
