Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P.

As part of the celebrations of the International Year of Volunteers 2026, proclaimed by the United Nations (UN), the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. (IDiPD, I.P.), launches the publication “Persons with Disabilities as Volunteers: A Guide to More Inclusive Volunteering”. The guide is the result of a journey of collaboration with Pista Mágica, a non-governmental organization that develops training, operationalization and social inclusion activities through volunteering, started 4 years ago, on the occasion of the VolunTalento , a more inclusive volunteering project that aimed to improve access to volunteering for people with disabilities. This joint work, between the two organizations, wants to ensure the creation of a guiding tool for all people interested in promoting more inclusive volunteering programs, based on the elimination of barriers that continue to limit the participation of people with disabilities in community contexts, ensuring that capacity-building mechanisms are implemented, allowing full and active participation in society. “(…) persons with disabilities are primarily citizens and citizens with aspirations, dreams, values and willingness to participate actively in community building. [It is necessary] democratise access to volunteering for persons with disabilities, recognising volunteering as an essential tool for active citizenship, social participation and personal fulfilment.’, Diana Alves Reis, lawyer and disability rights activist, who signs the guide's foreword. Diana Alves Reis' first-person testimony matches the words of Achim Steiner, current administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, in the 2026 resolution: International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development : “Only through collective action and solidarity will we be able to gather the strength needed to tackle the challenges that affect us all”. “Persons with Disabilities as Volunteers: A Guide to More Inclusive Volunteering” reflects the commitment of the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. to promoting equality, participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all areas of life in society, recognising volunteering as an expression of active citizenship and a space for exercising rights. Consult the guide “Persons with Disabilities as Volunteers: A Guide to More Inclusive Volunteering’, HERE .

Between the days 7 July and 15 September 2026 (inclusive), the deadline for submission of applications to the National Programme for Financing Projects by the IDiPD, I.P., for 2027, which is intended only for Non-Governmental Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (NGDOs). As in previous years, the application process for the Funding Program will be carried out exclusively online, through a web platform made available by the Institute of Informatics, I.P., on the website of the Direct Social Security. Access to the platform is done with the NISS and NGOPD password in the Direct Social Security. Consult all the information at Funding for Projects - 2027 .

The monthly activity of the Independent Living Support Centres (CAVI), which are part of the Independent Living Support Model (MAVI), is reported to the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. (IDiPD), based on the completion of the monitoring grids by each of the institutions. According to these monitorings, in May 2026, in the 35 CAVI in operation, 1189 people financed by the Instituto da Segurança Social, I.P. (ISS) were supported. From the start of the project until 31 May 2026, a total of 6,985,828 (six million, nine hundred and eighty-five thousand, eight hundred and twenty-eight) hours were provided, of which 3,545,224 (three million, five hundred and forty-five thousand, two hundred and twenty-four) hours under the ISS, accumulated to 3,440,604 (three million, four hundred and forty thousand, six hundred and four) hours of personal assistance provided under the ESF until 30 September 2023. All in all, May 2026 saw a decrease in the number of people supported in personal assistance compared to the previous month. There has been a decrease in the number of hours of support provided, as well as in the number of personal assistants in place. A decrease in the number of PIAPs suspended, PIAPs terminated and new PIAPs concluded was observed.

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 AGEAS CoolJazz, promoted by Live-Experiences Unipessoal LDA, under the Accessible Festivals Program 2026. AGEAS CoolJazz will take place from 8 to 31 July 2026 at Parque Marechal Carmona, Praceta Domingos D’Avillez -Av. da República, Cascais. More information at Accessible Festivals Program - IDiPD, I.P.

On 24 June at 16:00, the ceremony to raise the flag of the ‘Accessible Beach, Beach for All!’ programme took place at São Lourenço Beach in Mafra. The 1º Prize of the 2025 ‘Accessible Beach + Beach’ Award was also awarded in the coastal beach typology. This event was the result of a partnership between the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P., the Portuguese Environment Agency, I.P. and Turismo de Portugal, I.P. and the Municipality of Mafra. This session symbolically marks the commitment of the municipality and the entities involved with the promotion of beach accessibility and inclusion, publicly acknowledging the effort made to ensure that all people, regardless of their condition, can enjoy the beaches with equity, comfort, autonomy and dignity. The ceremony was attended by the president of the host municipality - Hugo Moreira Luís, Mafra City Council -, the Secretary of State for Social Action and Inclusion, Dr. ª Clara Marques Mendes, the President of the Board of Directors of the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P., Sónia Esperto, representatives of the company IACESS, official sponsor of the “Praia + Accessible” Award, as well as local entities involved in promoting beach accessibility.

On July 1, 2026, between 10:30 and 13:00, the webinar for the dissemination of the model and the CATL Inclusive manual will be held online through the Microsoft Teams platform. This initiative aims to present a tool to support the promotion of inclusion of children and young people with disabilities in Free Time Activities contexts, providing guidelines and recommendations for building more inclusive and accessible responses. The webinar will also include the presentation of funding opportunities to NGOPDs, providing a space for sharing and reflection for all entities and professionals involved in promoting inclusion and for the general public. Free participation upon registration available, HERE . Get involved and spread the word! Get to know the program: 10.30 a.m. – 10.40 a.m. Opening session, Sónia Esperto, President of the Board of Directors of IDiPD, I.P. 10:40 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. Presentation of the model and manual CATL Inclusivo, João Dias e Rute Gomes, ARCIL 11:10 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. Presentation of the impact assessment carried out, Monique Borges, University of Aveiro 11:40 - 11:55 Space for questions 11:55 - 12:00 Interval 12:00 - 12:20 Funding opportunities for NGOsPD, Carmo Medeiros, IDİPD,I.P. 12:20 - 12:40 Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (EDPD 2026-2030), EDPD Team, IDiPD, I.P. 12:40 - 12:50 Space for questions 12:50 p.m. – 1 p.m. Closing session, Pedro Afonso, Member of the Board of Directors of IDiPD, I.P. Moderation: Claudia Brandão, IDiPD, I.P.

On 16 June at 2.30 p.m., the ceremony to raise the flag of the Accessible Beach Programme, Praia para Todos!, took place at Praia da fraga da Pegada, in Macedo de Cavaleiros, and the 1º Prize of the 2025 “Praia + Accessible” Award was also awarded, in the typology of Inner Beach. This event was the result of a partnership between the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P., the Portuguese Environment Agency, I.P., Turismo de Portugal, I.P., and the Municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros. This session symbolically marks the commitment of the municipality and the entities involved with the promotion of beach accessibility and inclusion, publicly acknowledging the effort made to ensure that all people, regardless of their condition, can enjoy the beaches with equity, comfort, autonomy and dignity. The ceremony was attended by the President of the host municipality – Sérgio David Ramos Borges, the Municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros, the President of the Board of Directors of the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P., Sónia Esperto, representatives of the company IACESS, official sponsor of the “Praia + Accessible” Award, as well as local entities involved in promoting beach accessibility.

The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (IDiPD) has launched the “Open Day” initiative, a space for direct dialogue that aims to strengthen proximity between public administration and persons with disabilities by promoting active listening, trust and institutional transparency. This initiative takes place monthly and allows People with Disabilities to share, in a safe and accessible environment, their experiences, concerns and suggestions directly with the President of IDiPD. By putting the experience at the heart of the action, “Open Day” contributes to a better knowledge of the real needs of people with disabilities and to the continuous improvement of public policies. The “Open Day” is an opportunity to actively listen to each person, valuing their voice, creating a space for sharing experiences, strengthening institutional proximity and collecting contributions that can support the reflection on the improvements to be made in the responses developed by the Institute. The sessions are intended exclusively for persons with disabilities, as natural persons, ensuring direct and personalised contact. Where necessary, participation may be accompanied by carers, personal assistants or, in the case of minors, their guardians or other significant persons. The “Open Day” can take place either in person or online, through digital platforms, ensuring flexibility and accessibility. Sessions work by prior scheduling, by filling out the form. The IDiPD ensures the accessibility conditions necessary for participation, including the provision of information in accessible formats, the possibility of interpretation in Portuguese Sign Language and other responses adapted to the needs of each person, whether the participation is in person or remotely. Committed to the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by Portugal. This direct listening space contributes to participation in public life and policy monitoring, ensuring that persons with disabilities are heard and considered in institutional action. Registrations for the “Open Day” are made using the form. HERE . Access the dissemination video, HERE .

The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (IDiPD) II Youth Meeting “Be Cool, Be Inclusive!” , bringing together children, young people, institutional representatives and civil society organisations, with the aim of enhancing the active participation of persons with disabilities in building inclusive policies and practices. The initiative took place at the Lands of Larus School Group, in the municipality of Seixal, on May 25, with the presence of Clara Marques Mendes, Secretary of State for Social Action and Inclusion. The opening session highlighted the importance of the school as a fundamental space for inclusion, underlining the role of educational institutions in promoting equal opportunities and building autonomous pathways for all students. The institutional interventions reinforced the need for integrated public policies, with a particular focus on the continuity of responses after compulsory schooling, the promotion of independent living and the strengthening of the link between education, social action and the labour market. The commitment of public authorities to improving support responses, including the extension of personal assistance and the operationalisation of inclusive education measures, was also highlighted. The programme included several round tables that put children and young people at the centre of the reflection. At the table dedicated to inclusion in school , participants shared experiences on accessibility, physical and social barriers; bullying and the importance of resources as Portuguese Sign Language interpreters. Concrete needs have been identified, such as improving accessibility conditions (ramps, lifts) and reinforcing specialised support. On the table on study and work , life paths that highlight challenges and achievements in access to training and employment were presented. The testimonies highlighted the importance of real opportunities, adequate monitoring and appreciation of individual capacities as essential conditions for effective inclusion. Already at the table on inclusive projects and initiatives , innovative experiences were shared in the areas of communication, education and civic participation, highlighting the active contribution of persons with disabilities to the transformation of society. The II Meeting highlighted that significant challenges persist, particularly in terms of accessibility, the adequacy of educational responses and the transition to adulthood. Still, there was consensus that evolution depends on the active participation of persons with disabilities themselves and on collaboration between all actors in society. The conclusions reinforced the importance of creating more spaces for listening and dialogue, ensuring that the voices of children and young people effectively contribute to shaping public policies and building a more inclusive society. At the closure, it was stressed that inclusion does not depend exclusively on political decisions, but on a collective commitment involving institutions, professionals, families and the wider community. The II Youth Meeting “Being Cool, Being Inclusion!” was thus affirmed as a relevant moment of active citizenship, reinforcing the role of children and young people as agents of change in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities. Access the photographic record, HERE