O National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P. promoted, on February 24, 2026, in the Noble Hall of the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security , in Lisbon, the Seminar on the Promotion of Autonomy and Independent Living, within the framework of the Ibero-American Disability Program . The initiative brought together institutional representatives, national and international experts and members of civil society, with the aim of promoting reflection and sharing of best practices in the field of the rights of persons with disabilities. The opening session was attended by Ana Gaspar, representing the Office of the Secretary of State for Social Action and Inclusion, who highlighted the relevance of public policies in promoting autonomy, social inclusion and equal opportunities. The Chairperson of the Governing Board of the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P. , Sónia Esperto, who, as host, welcomed the participants to the session highlighting the relevance of the seminar as a space for dialogue, cooperation and knowledge sharing in the field of disability. In his speech, he stressed the importance of autonomy and independent living as fundamental pillars of the dignity, freedom and full participation of persons with disabilities, reinforcing the role of the INR as Portugal’s representative in the context of the Ibero-American Disability Program . The president also highlighted the path developed in the country through the Support Model for Independent Living (MAVI), highlighting the positive impact of personal assistance in improving the quality of life, as well as the need to continue investing in innovative, integrated and sustainable responses. Representatives of the Ibero-American General Secretariat and coordination of the programme. In the afternoon, the views of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities were presented, with contributions from international experts, followed by a reflection on the main challenges associated with independent living and access to adequate support. The interventions highlighted the importance of the person-centred approach and of ensuring conditions for full participation in society. One of the central moments of the seminar was the presentation of the Support Model for Independent Living (MAVI) and the course developed in Portugal, with the participation of INR technicians, associative representatives, beneficiaries and personal assistants. This session highlighted the positive impact of the model in promoting the autonomy, self-determination and quality of life of people with disabilities. The programme also included a panel dedicated to care and support agendas in Ibero-America, sharing experiences from Chile, Costa Rica, Spain and Uruguay, reinforcing the importance of international cooperation and the exchange of good practices in the area of disability. The seminar ended with the presentation of the conclusions and the institutional closure, reaffirming the commitment of the INR and the partner entities to building a more inclusive, just and accessible society based on respect for human rights and appreciation of diversity. At the time of closure, Sónia Esperto reinforced the importance of the event on a day when the new organic law that restructures the INR, now called Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, came out and also on the importance of the date, as 2026 also marks the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of Persons with Disabilities. In his closing speech, he reaffirmed the INR's commitment to promoting equal opportunities, personal autonomy and the full social participation of persons with disabilities, highlighting the importance of international cooperation, the collective construction of public policies and the valorisation of institutional partnerships. The Chair thanked all actors and participants for their input, underlining that the seminar was a privileged moment of learning and inspiration, able to strengthen commitments and drive concrete changes in the area of inclusion. The event is available on INR,I.P.'s youtube channel. here