- Country
- Slovenia
- Scope of application
- Legislation
- Type of organisation
- Public administration
- Organisation responsible
- Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (Slovenia)
Slovenia has legally established a nationwide voucher system for Slovenian Sign Language interpretation, providing persons with hearing impairments, particularly deaf persons, with practical and enforceable access to communication support in everyday life. The system enables eligible users to receive 30 or 100 hours of sign language interpretation per year, depending on their status, with a specific and enhanced allocation for school-age children and students.
The vouchers are intended to support communication in key life situations, including education, public services, healthcare, administrative procedures, employment-related activities, and social participation. For pupils and students, the extended 100-hour allocation recognises the essential role of sign language interpretation in ensuring equal access to education and learning environments.
In the field of education, the voucher system complements the statutory right of deaf pupils and students to the use of Slovenian Sign Language interpretation during the educational process.
Where sign language represents the primary or sole means of communication, interpretation support is recognised as a necessary reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to education. The extended allocation of 100 interpretation hours for school-age children and students reflects the continuous and structured communication needs arising in formal education, including classroom instruction, examinations, consultations, and other educational activities. This combined approach—legal entitlement together with a flexible voucher-based funding mechanism—provides a robust framework for inclusive education, supporting autonomy, continuity of learning, and effective participation of deaf learners on an equal basis with others.
More about Slovenian Sign Language services.
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