Realizing Human Rights in the Transition to Adulthood: A Parental Perspective on Barriers Facing Youth with Intellectual Disabilities in the Republic of Serbia

Abstract

Children and adolescents with developmental disabilities, along with their families, require flexible and comprehensive support to ensure the full realization of their human rights during the processes of growing up, socialization, and social inclusion. Adolescents with intellectual disabilities represent a distinct group; however, in the Republic of Serbia, they are not adequately recognized in national and local policies. This lack of visibility represents a significant systemic barrier to the fulfillment of their right to equal participation and tailored support. This paper presents the results of a study involving 103 parents of young people with intellectual disabilities from Belgrade and Niš. The findings highlight a profound gap between de jure human rights and de facto reality: upon completing education, young people face social isolation and a lack of community-based services, which directly infringes upon their right to social integration and peer contact. The study also reveals that parents feel overwhelmed due to the state's failure to provide the necessary support structures, leaving families to bear the burden of systemic deficiencies. The paper concludes that a shift from a medical to a rights-based model is essential to transform social welfare services from 'hard to access' benefits into guaranteed entitlements that foster dignity and autonomy for young people with intellectual disabilities.