As part of the celebrations of the 3rd of December, International Day of People with Disabilities, the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P. (INR, I.P.) was represented at international level, at the invitation of the European Commission. European Day of Persons with Disabilities , which took place on Brussels, 4-5 December 2025 . It is an annual conference organised by the European Commission in partnership with the European Disability Forum. dedicated to promoting rights, inclusion and accessibility for persons with disabilities in the European Union. The event brought together politicians, experts, representatives of civil society organisations and persons with disabilities to discuss key topics related to the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. This year, on the first day of the event, 4 December 2025 , the topics covered in three separate panels were as follows: Panel 1 - Addressed the next chapter in the implementation of the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 where it was possible to deepen how the European Union (EU) and its Member States can further promote the implementation of the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ensuring that it translates into tangible improvements in its eight areas, including accessibility, independent living and equal participation. Panel 2 - Financing the Union of Equality: towards an inclusive EU budget for persons with disabilities. It looked at how EU financial instruments have driven and can continue to drive real change for persons with disabilities, for example by ensuring that accessibility and inclusion are systematically integrated into EU funding. The discussion addressed how EU funds, including cohesion policy, social funds and other EU instruments, can align with the objectives of the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Panel 3 - Inclusive crisis preparedness and management for persons with disabilities. This panel focused on how the EU and its Member States can ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in emergency preparedness and crisis management, building on lessons learned from recent crises. Speakers highlighted, among other things, the need for accessible early warning systems, inclusive civil protection measures and the active involvement of persons with disabilities in planning and response efforts to ensure resilience, security and equal protection for all during emergencies. No second day of the event, 5 December 2025 , a the Ceremony of Delivery Access City Award 2026 , an annual award promoted by the European Commission in cooperation with the European Disability Forum to recognise EU cities that show leadership and best practices in promoting urban accessibility for people with disabilities. The INR, I.P. was for the first time invited by the European Commission to participate as a national jury of the Portuguese cities in the competition, namely: Guimarães and Braga. This year's Access City Award 2026 had five finalist cities: Piacenza (Italy); Rennes (France); Salzburg (Austria); Valencia (Spain); and Zaragoza (Spain). The winning cities were: 1st place: Zaragoza (Spain), recognised for its integrated model of urban accessibility and strategic leadership in inclusive public policies; 2nd place: Valencia (Spain), highlighted by the high level of urban accessibility and inclusive transport infrastructure; 3rd place: Rennes (France), awarded for coordinated improvements in transport and public buildings. Special Mentions were also awarded to the following cities for achievements in specific areas, namely: Salzburg (Austria), Special mention for Accessibility in Housing; Valencia (Spain), Special Mention for Emergency Preparedness; Piacenza (Italy), Special Mention for Accessibility in Information and Communications. The event is available for viewing on the first day, 4 December 2025. HERE , and the second day, 5 December 2025, HERE .