With the expiry of the deadline on 11 December 2025, all buildings open to the public are required to ensure equal access to services for persons with disabilities. From that date onward, owners or operators who fail to comply are in violation, and supervision is carried out by the Building and Geodetic Inspectorate. Exceptions are permitted only based on justified professional reasons, which must be documented by a feasibility assessment by June 2026. A significant level of accessibility can often be achieved through smaller, properly planned interventions.

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we took part in the radio programme Studio at 17:00, discussing the amendment to the Act on Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (ZIMI).

The deadline for adapting public buildings for persons with disabilities expires on December 11, 2025, yet many facilities still do not meet the legal requirements for universal accessibility. Without timely and professionally executed measures, building owners and managers will be in violation after the deadline, and compliance will be overseen by the Building Inspectorate.

Through personal experience, an urban planning student observes that the accessibility of public buildings for people with mobility impairments is often overlooked and insufficient. He highlights the importance of inclusive design and the adoption of good international practices in the local context.

We visited The Art Beyond the Visible, Slovenia’s first tactile gallery in Kromberk, which enables a multisensory experience of art through touch. The exhibition, part of the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica - Gorizia 2025 programme, brings together tactile interpretations of historical artworks and contemporary pieces created especially for blind, visually impaired, and sighted visitors alike.

Exhibition spaces must be designed according to the principles of universal accessibility, ensuring equal access for persons with physical disabilities, blind and partially sighted visitors, as well as deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act (ZIMI) and the Regulation on Universal Construction and Use of Buildings provide the legal framework that guarantees culture and knowledge without barriers.

The Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS) conducts professional on-site assessments of building accessibility based on a methodology aligned with relevant legislation and standards. These assessments identify on-site barriers for all types of disabilities, with results made publicly available through online tools.

Temporary ramps are not legally recognized as a suitable solution because they do not provide independent and equal access. Their use is only justified in exceptional cases where permanent access cannot be ensured, and they must still meet the same safety standards as permanent ramps.

Effective accessibility depends on proper ramp design, including width, slope, handrails, and surface treatment. Clearly defined technical standards ensure safety and usability for all types of wheelchairs.

The Accessibility of Products and Services for Disabled Persons Act (ZDPSI), which enters into force on June 28, 2025, introduces obligations to ensure accessibility of a wide range of services and digital content for people with disabilities. The key emphasis is on digital accessibility in accordance with the WCAG 2.1 guidelines, with oversight and sanctions falling under the jurisdiction of the inspectorate.