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Did you know that 2026 is National Accessibility Day on October 29th?

The National Accessibility Day was established by Resolution of the Assembly of the Republic No. 297/2021, initially marked on 20 October. However, coinciding with the National Cerebral Palsy Day, the date was changed by Resolution of the Assembly of the Republic No. 79/2026, to be celebrated on the last Thursday of October.

This date aims to make society aware of the importance of accessibility as a fundamental right and an indispensable condition for full participation in all areas of life.

When we talk about accessibility, in addition to the elimination of architectural barriers, we talk about access to information, communication, transport, services and digital environments, ensuring that all people, including people with disabilities, can exercise their rights on an equal basis.

This principle is enshrined in Article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the United Nations (UN), which recognises accessibility as an essential requirement for autonomy and participation in society.

In Portugal, in terms of accessibility, we highlight the following diplomas:

- the Decree-Law No 82/2022 of 6 December 2022, which transposes into Portuguese law the European Union Directive 2019/882 on the accessibility requirements for products and services, aims to contribute to increasing the availability of accessible products and services in the internal market, influencing and enabling a more inclusive society that facilitates the autonomy of persons with disabilities.

- the Decree-Law No 83/2018 of 19 October 2018, which defines the accessibility requirements of the websites and mobile applications of public bodies, transposes into Portuguese law Directive 2016/2102 of the European Union, aims to contribute to the access of persons with disabilities to new technologies and information and communication systems, including the Internet.

- the Decree-Law No 163/2006 of 8 August 2006, which approves the accessibility regime for buildings and establishments that receive public, public roads and residential buildings, aims to contribute to the removal of barriers and the construction of more inclusive environments.

Celebrating National Accessibility Day is an opportunity to remember that inclusion is only effective when all people can participate, in equity, in all areas of life in society.

On October 29th, celebrate with IDiPD the National Accessibility Day, participating in the webinar “Accessibility in Portugal: monitoring, assessing and promoting inclusion”. Find out more at: https://tinyurl.com/5eznuzhw

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