With the support of the Tuzla Community Foundation, as part of the USAID BiH #PowerLocal – because our community is our responsibility program, we successfully implemented the project "Optimizing operational efficiency and increasing transparency and accountability in the Association for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in STEM and Biomedical Disciplines."
The project aimed to improve transparency and inclusiveness within the Society for Medical and Biological Engineering of BiH, enabling greater accessibility and participation of persons with disabilities in the work of the Association.
Key Project Results
During the project implementation, we conducted an analysis of legal framework relevant to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in STEM and biomedical disciplines, as well as an analysis of current state of inclusion of persons with disabilities in higher education in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Based on these analyses, an Action Plan was developed that provides concrete measures to improve the transparency and inclusiveness of DMBIUBIH regarding its members with disabilities.
The analysis of the legal framework and the current situation in BiH showed that, although there are no formal obstacles to the inclusion of persons with disabilities, in practice their participation is limited due to the lack of adapted support mechanisms. It was determined that it is necessary to improve communication channels and develop strategies for the active inclusion of this population in higher education and the labor market.
As one of the key steps, on April 7, 2025, at the session of the General Assembly of DMBIUBIH, an Action Plan was adopted, whereby the Association officially assumed responsibility for the implementation of the defined measures. All members present expressed a clear commitment to increasing transparency, inclusiveness and participation of persons with disabilities in the work of the Association.
Free Membership Fees and a Call to Active Participation
The Action Plan envisages the introduction of accessible digital solutions, including a web platform adapted to persons with disabilities, the improvement of internal rules to guarantee equal participation and the introduction of mandatory education for members on inclusive practices. It also emphasizes the need to establish mentoring programs that would enable young persons with disabilities to have easier access to STEM and biomedical disciplines through professional support and networking.
One of the first concrete measures resulting from the Action Plan is the abolition of membership fees for persons with disabilities, with which we want to further encourage their active participation. Starting today, all interested future members can contact us to join the Association and provide their suggestions on ways to fully integrate into the work of DMBIUBIH.
We remain committed to inclusivity and diversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina and will continue to work on similar activities in the future. We also continue to cooperate with our partners from the Verlab Institute in order to jointly improve the accessibility of STEM and biomedical disciplines for persons with disabilities.
We would like to express our gratitude to all members of DMBIUBIH who contributed to the development and adoption of the Action Plan, as well as to our partners from the Verlab Institute for their professional engagement. We invite all interested parties to join us in building a more inclusive community and improving the professional engagement of persons with disabilities in STEM and biomedical disciplines.
