This creates tremendous demand on a young, nonprofit organization located in a city that provides only two vans for all 5,000 disabled residents of Belgrade to get to school and work. Faced with such limited infrastructure, Iz Kruga succeeded in persuading Belgrade city authorities to offer the organization available office space at an affordable rate. In the absence of transportation, the telephone is a vital tool for communication and support. Iz Kruga is run by six disabled women, who managed to keep the hotline active even in the midst of NATO bombings last year. In addition, Iz Kruga staff provides legal and psychological counseling both over the phone and at support groups for those who can attend.
Weekly workshops focus on topics such as isolation, prejudice, sexuality and human rights.
Self-help groups enable disabled women to become empowered by bringing their experience of violence into the open, and learning what rights of recourse they possess. Disabled women can be especially vulnerable targets of violence and abuse, and Iz Kruga works with other women's groups to prevent violence and discrimination against all women and children. The money also helped buy rattan, wicker and tools to weave the material into furniture. The job training will lead to employment for some of the organization's 35 members. In addition to enabling women with disabilities to raise their self-esteem and generate income, the organization will also focus on educating the public and the federal authorities about the nature of discrimination against women with disabilities.