MESSAGE

As government official responsible for the area of disability public policies, I am very pleased to follow the update of the Practical Guide: the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Portugal, an instrument designed to support, inform and clarify.

Access to clear and accessible information is essential for everyone to be able to fully exercise their rights.

This Guide plays a very important role in that it brings together, in a single document, practical and useful information on rights, benefits and support responses in the different areas of life. In doing so, it contributes to promoting equal opportunities, combating prejudice and reducing discrimination.

Despite the progress made, we know that many people with disabilities continue to face obstacles in their daily lives and in accessing their rights.

The Practical Guide: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Portugal aims to be a living and close support, which helps to clarify and guide. It is also a reflection of the Government's commitment to guarantee rights, promote inclusion and build, together with society, a fairer, more accessible country for all people.

Clara Marques Mendes

State Secretary for Social Action and Inclusion

XXV Government of the Portuguese Republic

FRAMEWORK AND OBJECTIVES

All people have their own characteristics that distinguish them from each other. The difference is therefore inherent in human societies. The recognition that all people are equal in rights, but considered and respected in their differences, is a condition of inclusive, free and democratic societies, in which Portugal is included.

Access to information is essential for everyone to be able to fully exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms. The systematization of information in a single instrument is a contribution to the affirmation of citizenship, the promotion of equal opportunities, the fight against stereotypes and discrimination.

It is in this context that the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. (IDiPD), responsible for implementing public policies, national and international, regarding compliance with the rights of persons with disabilities, their families and representative organisations, updates this Guide, with the contribution of entities of the Portuguese Public Administration on matters within its competence.

Here you can find useful, clear and accessible information on rights, benefits and support responses for people with disabilities in different areas of life. However, reading this Guide does not dispense with consulting more detailed information on each of the topics.

WHO IS THIS GUIDE FOR?

to all persons in need of information in the areas of disability and disability;

persons with disabilities and their families;

caregivers;

public, private and social sector entities.

HOW IS IT ORGANISED?

The Guide is organised in five parts. The first part contains general information on cross-cutting rights and tools for their development. The second, organized in a chronological way, presents rights and guidelines for action at various stages of life. The third covers social protection, social responses and tax benefits. The fourth part is dedicated to topics related to housing, mobility and social participation. Useful contacts and services are provided in the fifth and final part of the Guide.

INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL GUIDELINES

This Guide is also a contribution to compliance with international and national guidelines, namely:

The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (CRP), as a fundamental instrument regulating rights and guarantees, recognises that all persons are equal before the law and that they have the right to ‘personal identity, personality development, civil capacity, citizenship, good name and reputation, image, speech, privacy of private and family life and legal protection against any form of discrimination’. The Constitution also recognizes that it is the responsibility of the State to design and promote a policy of prevention, rehabilitation and inclusion of persons with disabilities and support for their families, with initiatives that raise awareness and involve, in these objectives, the whole of society.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) ratified by Portugal in 2009 is a historic milestone in ensuring and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities. The adoption of this human rights treaty resulted from the widespread consensus of the international community on the need to effectively ensure respect for the principles of integrity, dignity and individual freedom of persons with disabilities and to strengthen the prohibition of their discrimination through laws, policies and programmes. The Convention also defines the general obligations of the Governments of the States Parties regarding the integration of the various dimensions of disability into their policies, which take specific account of the characteristics of persons with disabilities and promote their participation in society. In addition, the Convention sets out the specific obligations relating to disability awareness, combating stereotypes and valuing persons with disabilities in society.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by all Member States of the United Nations (UN) in September 2015 and sets out the global priorities and aspirations to be achieved by 2030. With the motto ‘No one can be left behind!’, it calls on all countries to work towards a common future for humanity that is sustainable, fair and cohesive. This Agenda sets out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and some of these are aimed at promoting the human rights of persons with disabilities. The Agenda calls for participation and ongoing dialogue among all individuals, entities and organisations, governmental and non-governmental, to integrate a transformation that aims at sustainable, regenerative and inclusive growth. The relevance of the theme around the rights of persons with disabilities is reflected in an infographic, which highlights the need to meet the objectives of the Agenda.

Despite the various tools and efforts already put in place, persons with disabilities continue to face barriers in their participation and violations of their rights in all spheres of life. The data collected by the 2021 Census indicate that, in 2021, 1 085 472 people aged 5 years and over with at least one declared disability resided in Portugal, representing 10.9% (9 935 472) of the resident population aged 5 years and over.

The Guide is an instrument to promote the exercise of human rights and knowledge, a fundamental task of the Portuguese State as a democratic rule of law, based on the separation of powers and the guarantee of rights and freedoms, achieved through the action of public authorities and the implementation of public policies, which establish these rights.

When searching for information, please keep in mind:

Do not rely too much on what is available on the internet: there is a lot of information that is not scientifically validated and that is not disseminated by the competent bodies in the various matters, and may in some cases be incorrect;

Trust the professionals: usually, the services have multidisciplinary teams that work to provide adequate support to people with disabilities and families;

Find out about Rights: look for information about rights, such as labour legislation, education and training, allowances and support for disability and/or disability, among others;

Use Non-Governmental Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (NGDOs), which play a relevant and community-based role as state partners in defending and promoting the rights and interests of persons with disabilities and their families, eliminating all forms of discrimination and promoting equal opportunities. For more information on the status of NGOPDs, as well as on support to be provided by the State, please refer to the legislation in force.