The Rules on Universal Construction and Use of Buildings define, as mandatory professional references, the standards SIST ISO 21542, SIST 1186 and SIST EN 60118-4. Although these standards are normally paid in the SIST online store, since 2025 the state finances access to all standards that are introduced exclusively through legislation, so they are available free of charge to Slovenian economic operators.

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.

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.

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.

Heritage-protected buildings hold significant historical and architectural value, which often complicates their adaptation to modern needs, particularly in ensuring accessibility for all. Understanding heritage protection regimes and collaborating with the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia (ZVKDS) is essential, as well-planned solutions can often balance heritage preservation with accessibility.

Elevators must be designed to ensure accessibility for mobility-impaired, blind, visually impaired, and deaf individuals. Key features include appropriate dimensions, an accessible control panel, visible and tactile markings, auditory announcements, and videophones for deaf users.

In 2025, Slovenia will implement significant legal changes affecting accessibility for people with disabilities, including the Accessibility of Products and Services for Disabled Persons Act (ZDPSI) and the Equal Opportunities for Disabled Persons Act (ZIMI). These laws will require adjustments in various sectors, including products, services, and transportation, as well as the removal of physical barriers at train stations and on trains by December 2025, contributing to better inclusion of people with disabilities in society.