Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

As part of the celebration of the European Day of Independent Living, which took place on 5 May 2026, the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, IP (IDiPD, IP), in co-organisation with the Iberoamerican Disability Program (PID), is promoting on 27 May the online event “From Convention to Implementation: the experience of Personal Assistance Models in Europe and the Ibero-American Area”. The date, established by ENIL – European Network on Independent Living, aims to promote the values and practices of Independent Living as a fundamental right of persons with disabilities. The event will take place via Zoom, between 15:05 and 16:40, and its main objective is to promote reflection, debate and the sharing of international experiences on Personal Assistance Models, as an essential tool for the realization of the right to Independent Living, enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. During the session, the panel "Personal assistance under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" will take place, presenting experiences and models of personal assistance implemented in countries of the European and Ibero-American Area, allowing a comparative analysis of different approaches and challenges in their implementation. The initiative is a relevant opportunity for persons with disabilities, civil society organisations, practitioners and policy makers, contributing to the deepening of knowledge and the promotion of public policies aligned with the principles of the Convention. Programme (subject to change) 15:05 – 15:15 | Opening Session Jesús María Martín Blanco – President of the Iberoamerican Disability Programme (PID) 15.15 – 15.30 | Personal assistance under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Amalia Gamio – Specialist at the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 15:30 – 15:45 | Guidelines of the European Disability Forum (EDF) on preventing institutionalisation and promoting independent living Haydn Hammersley - EDF Social Policy Coordinator 15:45– 16:45 | Presentation of experiences in the field of personal assistance in an international context: The Costa Rica model – Luis Duarte Picado, National Council for People with Disabilities (CONAPDIS) The Slovenian model – Jerneja Turin, Human Rights Office of the Republic of Slovenia The Spanish model – Laura Sánchez Beltrán, Directorate-General for Disability Rights The Portuguese model – Teresa Varanda, Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (IDiPD, IP) 16:45 – 16:55 | Closing Session Sónia Esperto – Chairman of the Board of Directors of IDiPD, IP No prior registration is required, and access to the event is made directly through the following link: https://once.zoom.us/j/91025226784

The XXVII edition of the Festival Express’Arte – Meeting of Artistic Expressions started on 13 May. The initiative is promoted by APPACDM of Setúbal, with the support of the Municipality of Setúbal. The start of the festival was marked by the show ‘Mostra da Casa’, presented at the Luísa Todi Municipal Forum, which brought together around 120 participants. The presentation reflected a collective path of artistic creation developed over several months, based on respect for individual rhythms and group work, translated into different languages and artistic manifestations. The session was attended by institutional representatives of the Municipality of Setúbal, as well as the President of the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Sónia Esperto. The project is co-financed by the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Learn more about the Festival HERE .

The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P., and Turismo de Portugal, I.P. decided to award the distinction ‘Accessible Festival’ to the Festival ‘Imaginarius – International Festival of Performing Arts in Public Space’, promoted by the Municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, as part of the Accessible Festivals Programme 2026. The Festival "Imaginarius - International Festival of Performing Arts in Public Space" will take place from 21 to 24 May 2026, in the City Centre of Santa Maria da Feira. More information at Accessible Festivals Program - IDiPD, I.P.

A new European Commission Synthesis Report shows that while legislative progress has been made, practical implementation in everyday life remains the biggest challenge. Independent living, employment and accessibility are the critical areas for the next five years . The European Commission recently published the summary report of the extended consultation to strengthen the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. This process, which ran from mid-2025 to early 2026, gathered input from citizens, Member States and representative organisations (NGOs) to adjust the actions of the European Union by the end of the decade. The results show a clear pattern: citizens recognise progress in terms of standards and laws (such as the European Accessibility Act), but feel that these have not translated into structural changes in their lives. In fact, 52% of respondents negatively assess developments in their own countries over the past five years. According to the contributions collected, the top priorities for future EU action are: 1. Independent Living and Deinstitutionalization : Ensure that European funding supports only community-based services and not segregation models. 2. Quality Employment : Tackling the remaining employment gap, with a focus on the transition from education to the labour market and the provision of reasonable accommodation. 3. Universal Accessibility : Go beyond physical barriers, covering transport, digital services and affordable housing. One of the highlights of the report, coming directly from the Youth Dialogue, is the vision of political participation as a key prerequisite That's where the changes happen. However, serious barriers persist, such as lack of accessibility in electoral processes, manifest in complex formats and challenges to legal capacity. Around 12% of respondents consider that political participation has not improved or even worsened in the last five years. The motto "Nothing about us, without us" remains the basis of the whole strategy. The report concludes that there is no need for a new policy framework, but rather a more rigorous and monitorable implementation of the current one, with clear targets and direct participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making. The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. will continue to closely monitor these guidelines to ensure that Portugal actively contributes to a fully inclusive Europe. Consult the report HERE .

5 May 2026 marks the European Day of Independent Living, a date established by ENIL – the European Network on Independent Living, a Europe-wide platform for people with disabilities and organisations promoting Independent Living, whose main mission is to promote their values and practices. In this context, the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, IP (IDiPD, IP), in co-organisation with the Iberoamerican Disability Program (PID), promotes the online event “From Convention to Implementation: the experience of Personal Assistance Models in Europe and the Iberoamerican Space’, which will take place via Zoom between 15:05 and 16:40 on 27 May. The event aims to promote reflection, debate and the sharing of international experiences on Personal Assistance Models, as an essential tool for the realization of the right to Independent Living, enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. During the session the panel "Personal assistance under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" will take place, sharing experiences in the field of personal assistance in an international context, where models of personal assistance implemented in countries representing the Ibero-American and European Area will be presented. The celebration of the European Day of Independent Living through this event is a relevant opportunity for persons with disabilities, civil society organisations, practitioners and policy makers, allowing to deepen the knowledge on different approaches and challenges in the effective implementation of personal assistance, from European and Ibero-American experiences. More information, such as the participation link, will be available soon. Participate and spread the word.

The Assembly of the Republic resolves, in accordance with paragraph º 5 of article 166.º of the Constitution, to amend the National Day of Accessibility, Resolution of the Assembly of the Republic No. º 297/2021 , of 25 November, for the last Thursday of the month of October of each year . In 2026, it will be celebrated on October 29. Access the Resolution of the Assembly of the Republic No. º 79/2026, of 20 April | DR HERE .

The Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2026-2030 and its Action Plans were published in Diário da República, establishing a new framework for the promotion of the rights, inclusion and full participation of persons with disabilities in Portugal. Based on a human rights-based approach, the Strategy reinforces the commitment to removing barriers and building a more accessible, inclusive and equitable society, setting priorities focused on autonomy, equal opportunities and active participation. The Action Plans operationalise these priorities through concrete measures, targets and monitoring indicators, promoting a more articulated and transversal action between public and private entities. Implementation is aligned with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and European priorities in this area. The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. (IDiPD, I.P.) monitors the implementation of the Strategy, ensuring the coordination, monitoring and dynamisation of public policies, as well as the promotion of accessibility, social and professional inclusion and the removal of barriers, in liaison with institutional partners and civil society. The new Strategy is a decisive step towards more effective and result-oriented public policies, contributing to a more inclusive and cohesive society. Consult the official documents: • Strategy: HERE . • Action Plans: HERE .

For many people who are blind or with low vision, using public transport remains a daily challenge. To promote greater autonomy, comfort and safety, an accessible route was created at Gare do Oriente, connecting the Oriente metro station to the quays of the Carris Metropolitana. This route has been developed to make travel simpler, more intuitive and more independent. And everyone is invited to try ‑lo! Accompanied visits Persons who are blind or with low vision can participate in guided tours by Guidance and Mobility Technicians of the partner associations. Registrations available HERE . Autonomous operation If you prefer to do it on your own, you can use: - Accessible Route Support Guide e - High Contrast Plant . These features are specially designed to enable autonomous and safe navigation. Your opinion is essential. Help us improve this journey and define even more effective accessibility solutions in the future. Leave your comments: WayFinding System Assessment Form Or send an e‑mail to: transportes@tmlmobilidade.pt

In the context of the reform of the State and the modernisation of the Public Administration, Decree-Law No. º 60/2026, of 24 February, restructures the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I. P. (INR) and establishes the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. (IDiPD) , which also integrates the competences of the Mission Structure for Accessibility Promotion (EMPA). This amendment aims to strengthen the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities, ensuring more effective action and better articulation with other public administration services, through an integrated approach in the areas of inclusion, accessibility and civic participation. We would also inform you that all references to the INR and the EMPA, contained in legal and regulatory acts, contracts and other normative instruments, are deemed to be made to the IDiPD. The IDiPD thus becomes the reference entity for all matters previously attributed to EMPA. The Decree-Law can be found here: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/decreto-lei/60-2026-1058701616 We continue to make inclusion happen together!