History of ADRF inclusion in the drafting and implementation of the legal framework for the accessibility of environment for persons with disabilities.
- The first study evaluated the level of accessibility in different buildings in Tirana;
- The issues became part of the focus of the ADRF Advocacy Group from 2000 through 2003;
- Relationships were established with the responsible governmental and nongovernmental structures, such as the Architects Association, Builders/ Constructors Association, Tirana Municipality, through meetings, correspondence, round tables;
- The establishment of the Experts’ Group for the first draft of the Package of Urban and Architectural Norms that would include accessibility standards for persons with disabilities;
- Advocacy and lobbying actions to adopt the draft, as part of the Urban Regulation. The document was adopted on December 3, 2003;
- Cooperation networks were established and capacities were built at the local level of the responsible structures, such as the Urban Offices at the municipalities in different cities for the recognition and implementation of the adopted Regulation. Different training sessions and workshops were organized;
- Awareness raising of persons with disabilities and their organizations to ensure that they would ask for the implementation of the Regulation;
- Cooperation relations were established with the Tirana University, Faculty of Construction Engineering for the inclusion of these issues in the university curricula;
- Lobbying to become part of the Working Group drafting the Spatial Planning Strategy and the Law on Territorial Planning that resulted in involvement of the ADRF representative in all of the group meetings for two years. As a result, the issue was reflected in the Spatial Strategy as well as in 6 articles of the Law, beginning with the aim and objectives of the law;
- Cooperation with the responsible central governmental institutions to draft the Regulation for the Utilization of Spaces by the disabled persons. The document was adopted in November 2009;
- Joint activities with the central governmental institutions for the presentation of the Regulation. At the central level, there were workshops and training sessions undertaken with the Regional Urban Offices;
- A review of the complete curricula of the Faculty of Construction Engineering was undertaken, where recommendations for interventions were presented;
- ADRF continuously undertakes advocacy and lobbying initiatives to promote implementation through continuous monitoring.