On 15 September 2026, the Faculty of Design in Ljubljana will host the free professional event Accessibility of the Built Environment for All 2026, focusing on contemporary challenges related to spatial accessibility, mobility and digital solutions.

A ramp, an elevator and accessible toilets do not necessarily mean that a building is truly accessible to all users. Universal accessibility requires a holistic approach that, in addition to physical adaptations, also includes accessible information, appropriate communication and trained staff who understand the needs of different groups of people with disabilities.

The Assessment of Non-Feasibility of Accessibility Adjustments must be prepared for each publicly accessible building by 13 July 2026 and must, together with supporting documentation, demonstrate the reasons why specific accessibility adjustments for persons with disabilities have not been implemented. It includes basic building data, already implemented measures, a precise definition of non-feasible measures with evidence, and justifications (technical infeasibility, safety reasons, disproportionate burden, or heritage protection), as well as consideration of alternative ways of ensuring access to services.

We are pleased to announce that the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, has published the Handbook for Ensuring Universal Accessibility of Public Buildings (PriD).

Accessible parking spaces must be located close to the entrance, appropriately dimensioned, properly marked, and provided in the prescribed number relative to the size of the parking area. They must enable safe exit, access to the building, and use of associated infrastructure without barriers.

A template for an assessment of the infeasibility of adaptations has been published on infotocka.dostopnost.si. It is intended for entities that, for justified reasons, cannot fully ensure the accessibility of buildings in public use for persons with disabilities. The statutory deadline for preparing the assessment is 13 July 2026. The template has been coordinated with the competent ministries and the inspectorate.

Adapted sanitary facilities must be provided within the building whenever possible, with an exception allowing them at another location within 150 m. In such cases, clear information and practical accessibility during operating hours must be ensured.

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.

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.