1. WHAT MUST BE ENSURED IN POSTAL SERVICES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
RIGHT OF ACCESS TO THE UNIVERSAL POSTAL SERVICE
Persons with disabilities must have non-discriminatory access to the universal postal service - the permanent, regular and uninterrupted provision of one or more statutory postal services of the prescribed quality throughout the territory of the Republic of Slovenia or part thereof, at prices accessible to all users of postal services in both domestic and cross-border postal traffic.
The universal service also covers, inter alia, the transmission of postal items for the blind and partially sighted, which are exempt from postal charges in accordance with the ratified acts of the Universal Postal Union. A mail item for the blind and partially sighted is an open item containing signs for the blind and other forms of writing for the blind. The size of the consignment must correspond to the size of an ordinary letter, except that the minimum size may be 90 x 100 mm. The maximum weight of a consignment for the blind and partially sighted shall be 7 kg. The cover page of the consignment must be marked 'Consignment for the blind and partially sighted' or, in international traffic, 'Literature for the blind'. A label with a symbol for the blind and partially sighted may also be used as a label. Items for the blind and partially sighted are exempt from postage, but if the literature for the blind and partially sighted is sent as a registered item, untracked letter or as an ordinary parcel, it is not exempt from postage.
With the exception of services which are exempt from postal charges in accordance with the ratified acts of the Universal Postal Union, i.e. literature for the blind and partially sighted, universal services must be made available to blind and partially sighted persons at the same prices as to other users for the same type of service. This price already includes any additional services that the universal service provider must provide in order to ensure the smooth provision of the universal service to the blind and partially sighted. The universal service provider may also offer more favourable conditions for the blind and partially sighted.
2. WHO THEY CAN TURN TO FOR HELP
If you have any problems exercising your rights or have any questions, you can contact the Agency for Communications Networks and Services of the Republic of Slovenia. Persons with disabilities can contact the Agency by telephone on the following number +386 (0)1 583 63 00, Monday to Friday between 8.30 a.m. and 2 p.m., or by e-mail (info.box@akos-rs.si). A free telephone helpline is available to all users: 080 27 35 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9.00 and 11.00.
If blind or partially sighted people have problems accessing postal services or if there are errors in the provision of these services, they can contact the Agency. Before doing so, they must first complain about the service to the postal service provider, who is obliged to reply to the complaint within 15 days. If they do not receive a reply from the postal service provider or are not satisfied with the postal service provider's decision, they may, within 15 or 30 days respectively, file a dispute settlement application with the Agency.
3. WHERE THESE RIGHTS ARE ENSHRINED
The rights of blind and partially sighted persons in the field of postal services in the Republic of Slovenia are regulated by the Postal Services Act ( Ur. l. RS, No. 51/09, 77/10, 40/14 - ZIN-B and 81/15) - unofficial consolidated text ZPSto-2.