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.

A universally accessible fitness center is not just a place to exercise, but also a place where all users feel welcome and equal. Since Slovenian legislation does not yet provide guidelines for accessible fitness centers, we at the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia have prepared key recommendations for their regulation.

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.

A well-designed checkout area is crucial for people with disabilities. Good lighting, adjustable payment terminals, the correct height of counters and conveyor belts, and clear price displays can significantly improve the shopping experience.

The National Action on the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities project, led by NSIOS, promotes the inclusion of people with different forms of disabilities in society. As a project partner, the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia is assessing the accessibility of 100 buildings in public use that are all benefit providers for EU Disability card holders, raising awareness among owners and building managers, and informing people with disabilites on how to access those buildings and plan their visits to the providers.

Accessible restrooms are essential for the independence and safety of wheelchair users. It is crucial to provide sufficient maneuvering space, correctly installed equipment such as grab bars, sinks, and emergency alarms, and easily reachable features like switches, hooks, and waste bins. Common mistakes include improper equipment heights and unsuitable solutions that hinder usability. Properly adapted restrooms ensure equal accessibility and dignity for all users.

Correct shelf positioning, aisle widths and paths of movement between shelves are key to ensuring the accessibility of shops. Adaptations such as lower shelves and wider aisles make shopping easy for all, regardless of handicaps.

Univerzalna dostopnost je bistvena zahteva po gradbenem zakonu, ki mora biti izpolnjena za pridobitev uporabnega dovoljenja, kar zagotavlja enakovredno uporabo objektov za vse, tudi osebe z invalidnostmi. Primer bazena Ilirija opozarja, da neupoštevanje teh zahtev vodi v zamude in dodatne stroške zaradi nujnih prilagoditev.

Awareness of accessibility of buildings is gradually increasing, helped by the approach of the legal deadline and the efforts of organisations and individuals in this field. The Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, with its long-standing work on data collection, training and awareness-raising, continues its efforts to improve accessibility, which will be necessary even after the legal deadline has passed.