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

13 October marks the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, a UN initiative with the motto ‘Resilience Starts at Home’ in 2026, highlighting the importance of ensuring safe, accessible and at-risk-ready housing. The house is one of the first spaces where the effects of an emergency can be felt, but it is also a fundamental starting point for prevention and preparedness. Knowing the risks of the area of residence, understanding official warnings, organizing essential goods and defining in advance the procedures to be adopted are measures that can contribute to a more effective response. Disaster risk reduction also requires consideration of the different needs of the population. Persons with disabilities may face barriers in accessing information and alert systems, as well as in evacuation routes, transport and support mechanisms during an emergency. In this context, accessibility, inclusive communication and participation of persons with disabilities should be integrated from the outset in the planning and implementation of prevention and response measures. A community is more resilient when everyone has access to information, can participate in decisions and can protect themselves in emergencies. The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (IDiPD) is associated with this date, reaffirming the importance of mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities at all stages of disaster risk reduction: prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. Further information can be found on the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction page: https://iddrr.undrr.org/

The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. (IDIPD) participated in the event “Upholding Equality and Non-Discrimination by Equality Bodies Regarding the Use of AI in Public Administrations” which took place online and in Brussels on 17 September 2026, jointly promoted by the Council of Europe and the European Commission, dedicated to the challenges and opportunities associated with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public administrations. The meeting brought together representatives of the European institutions, national equality bodies, public authorities and experts in AI, fundamental rights, data protection and standardisation, with the participation of Belgium, Finland and Portugal, countries involved in the project. The main outcomes of the project were presented throughout the event, including legal analyses, guidelines, evaluation methodologies, training and empowerment, and the need to mainstream equality, non-discrimination and fundamental rights by design and throughout the lifecycle of AI systems was reinforced. The importance of effective human oversight, data quality and representativeness, prevention of algorithmic discrimination, and accessible complaint and redress mechanisms was also highlighted. The discussion also highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation between equality bodies, market surveillance, data protection and other relevant authorities, as well as to promote AI literacy among different actors. The use of public procurement as a tool to promote fundamental rights and equality, the participation of affected persons in assessment processes, and the integration of the gender perspective and other intersectional dimensions in AI governance were also addressed. For the IDiPD, these issues are of particular relevance in the context of the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, in particular as regards accessibility, non-discrimination and participation in digital transformation processes. The meeting reinforced the importance of ensuring that technological innovation is accompanied by empowered institutions, inter-institutional cooperation and a human rights-centred approach, contributing to a more inclusive, accessible and fundamental rights-compliant Public Administration.

O Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (IDiPD) , held on 17 September an inter-institutional cooperation meeting with the Instituto Administrador de los Benefícios de los Veteranos y Excombatentes (INABVE) El Salvador, dedicated to sharing experiences in the field of public policies for people with disabilities. The meeting began with the presentation of the Portuguese experience related to the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2026-2030 , focusing on the respective framework, governance model, Action Plans, participatory mechanisms and monitoring system. The INABVE delegation presented the ongoing process in El Salvador for the construction of a new national public policy for persons with disabilities, supported by territorial consultations and an inter-institutional technical table, involving public entities, civil society organisations and persons with disabilities. During the dialogue, some of the main challenges associated with this process were identified, including insufficient up-to-date statistical data, the need to strengthen information collection mechanisms, the implementation of legislation and international conventions, as well as issues related to the legal capacity, accessibility and awareness of institutions. The importance of integrating the needs of neurodivergent people into public policy development was also stressed. A Training and Empowerment have assumed particular relevance in the exchange, and INABVE has expressed interest in knowing training resources, methodologies and experiences developed by IDiPD,IP, which can contribute to the strengthening of the skills of its teams and municipal structures. The meeting also allowed to identify next steps for the continuity of cooperation, namely the sharing of documentation and technical information, the exchange of institutional contacts and the holding of future thematic meetings, oriented to concrete areas of interest of INABVE. Both institutions expressed their readiness to continue this dialogue and progressively deepen cooperation in the field of the rights of persons with disabilities.

The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (IDiPD ) was present, on September 17, at the Opening of the exhibition and award ceremony of the 19th edition of CRIDEM - National Competition for Plastic Expression Works of People with Intellectual Disabilities, held at the Manuel António da Mota Foundation, in Porto. The 2026 edition marked 35 years of CRIDEM , on a journey dedicated to the enhancement of the artistic expression of people with intellectual disabilities and the promotion of their participation in cultural life. In this edition 188 works were presented to the competition, and the respective prizes were awarded during the ceremony. Among the distinguished works, the 1st Manuel António da Mota Foundation Prize has been assigned to Edgar Carneiro , from CAID - Cooperative to Support the Integration of the Disabled, for the work Entre. O 2nd Montepio Foundation Prize distinguished the collective work Between Ruins and Hope, from the APPACDM of Braga , and 3rd Porto Prize was attributed to the collective work Da My Window I See the World, the AFSD Blue Horse Association of Solidarity Families with Disabilities. The presence of the Institute was part of the Institutional Partnership Protocol between IDiPD and APPACDM do Porto , through which the Institute was institutionally associated with the 19th edition of CRIDEM, contributing to the dissemination of the competition, the exhibitions and the initiative to its institutional network. The ceremony was attended by the Secretary of State for Culture, Alberto Santos, and the Secretary of State for Social Action and Inclusion, Clara Marques Mendes, as well as representatives of the entities involved in the initiative, namely the Manuel António da Mota Foundation, the Montepio Foundation, Humanitas - Portuguese Federation for Mental Disability and APPACDM of Porto. During the ceremony, IDiPD, I.P. was also offered a copy of the exhibition book , which brings together the artistic work presented in this commemorative edition. The exhibition of the works of the 19th edition of CRIDEM is patent at the Manuel António da Mota Foundation until 30 October 2026 , then roaming.

The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. (IDiPD, I.P.) was present at the Inclusive Sport Day, part of the European Week of Sport, which took place on September 24 at the Centro Desportivo Nacional do Jamor. The initiative was a real celebration of inclusive sport, bringing together around 400 participants around 30 sport activities, provided free of charge. It was a day lived without barriers, marked by participation, sharing and overcoming, providing everyone the opportunity to try and practice different sports, according to their abilities and preferences. The IDiPD, I.P. was represented by Cláudia Brandão and Odete Fiúza, reaffirming, also in this way, the Institute's commitment to promoting access to sports and creating conditions that allow the full participation of people with disabilities. Speaking to RTP, Odete Fiuza stressed that "sport is for everyone, in its own way", reinforcing the importance of ensuring effective conditions of access and participation, regardless of the characteristics and needs of each person. The presence in this initiative reflects the commitment of the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. to promote a more inclusive society, in which sport is affirmed as a right, an instrument of autonomy, participation and inclusion and a space of belonging.

The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. (IDiPD), invites you to participate in the School Alert! Competition 2026/2027. The initiative is aimed at education and teaching institutions with children and students from Pre-School Education and Basic and Secondary Education, challenging the educational community to develop projects that promote the inclusion, accessibility and rights of persons with disabilities. To find out more about the competition, see the opening notice, the rules, deadlines and other information, visit the page: School Alert Contest Award! We appreciate the dissemination of this information to teachers, students and other members of the educational community.

The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. (IDiPD, I.P.) and Pista Mágica present, on September 25, the publication People with Disabilities as Volunteers – A Guide to More Inclusive Volunteering , in the context of the 1st Maia Volunteer Fair. The presentation will take place between 4.10 p.m. and 4.40 p.m. in Zone 1, under the theme “Stories they embrace”. Developed jointly by the two organisations, the guide is the result of a collaborative journey started four years ago, on the occasion of the VolunTalento project, and is a guiding tool for promoting more inclusive volunteering programmes. The publication aims to contribute to the identification and elimination of barriers to the participation of persons with disabilities in volunteering contexts, promoting their empowerment and full and active participation in society. The I Maia Volunteer Fair takes place on September 25 and 26, at Quinta dos Cónegos, integrating the programming of Maia - European Volunteer Capital 2026. The initiative brings together organisations, associations and entities linked to volunteering, with a programme that includes moments of sharing, workshops, round tables and other activities. The IDiPD. I.P. invites all interested people to participate in this initiative and learn about different volunteering projects and opportunities, contributing to a more participatory and inclusive society. The publication of the guide is also taking place in a particularly significant year for volunteering, in which the United Nations has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. Consult the program of the I Maia Volunteer Fair HERE Get to know the guide People with Disabilities as Volunteers – A Guide to More Inclusive Volunteering [ link to the news about the guide on the website of IDiPD, I.P .].

The International Week of Deaf People is an international initiative celebrating the identity, culture and rights of the Deaf Community. In 2026, the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) designated the theme ‘Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights’. Find out more at: https://wfdeaf.org/international-week-of-deaf-people-2026/ September is also known as Blue September. The blue color associated with the Deaf Community derives from a symbol inherited from World War II, in which people with disabilities were identified with blue stripes by the Nazis. Currently, the blue associated with the month of September has gained a new meaning for the Deaf Community, representing the defense of rights and full social participation. Internationally, there are important historical dates during the month of September, which Portugal associates with its own celebrations: 6-11 September: Congress of Milan (1880), which banned the use of sign languages in the education of deaf people. 11 September: The Day of the Oppression of the Languages of the World. 20 September: Day of Constitutional Recognition of the Portuguese Sign Language. 23 September: International Day of the Sign Languages, date of the foundation of the World Federation of the Deaf, WFD. 24 September: National Day of the Deaf, date of the foundation of the Portuguese Association of the Deaf, APS. 26 September, European Day of Languages. 27 September (last Sunday of the month): World Day of the Deaf. Throughout the week these events are usually marked with different initiatives in various parts of the country, such as: O Deaf Festival 2026 , which takes place on September 26 and 27 in the Portuguese Association of the Deaf , in Lisbon, presenting itself as a space for meeting and celebrating the Deaf Community, sharing initiatives of associations, artists, projects and entities, aiming to give visibility to deaf culture, Portuguese Sign Language and the creativity of deaf people. O Festival of Silence , which takes place on 27 September in Algueirão – Mem Martins, organised by Association of the Deaf of the Municipality of Sintra , with the participation of Project Hands Singing, with dynamization of worskshop of Portuguese Sign Language, traditional games and moments of conviviality, intending to celebrate the deaf culture and the Portuguese Sign Language.

The Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P. promotes another edition of the 3 December Poster Prize, an initiative that aims to distinguish graphic work that, through a poster, contributes to raise awareness and mobilize public opinion for the recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities. Associated with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated annually on 3 December, the Prize aims to value creativity as an awareness-raising tool for the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities and for equal opportunities and non-discrimination. Applications Applications run until 2 October and are open to: natural persons over 18 years of age; Legal persons, based in Portugal. The works can be submitted in co-authorship, and each person (individual or collective) can submit up to three works. The work submitted should address the theme “3 December – International Day of Persons with Disabilities” and be assessed taking into account criteria such as creativity, artistic merit and suitability for the theme. The other requirements relating to the work and the submission of applications are available in the respective Prize Rules . Awards The winning work will be distinguished with a prize of 1 500 euros, awarded by the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P., and with a voucher of 1 500 euros, offered by the El Corte Inglés . The winner, as well as the posters distinguished with Honorable Mention, will also receive a piece of art offered by the CENCAL – Vocational Training Centre for the Ceramic Industry. Jury The evaluation of the work will be carried out by a jury composed of: Pedro Afonso, president of the jury and representative of the Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, I.P.; Helena Vaz da Silva, representative of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, as an entity for artistic, cultural and educational purposes; Alice Ignacio, designer and representative of the National Confederation of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities; Ricardo Galvão, cartoonist and illustrator, personality linked to design, creativity and image; Joana Raminhos da Silveira, illustrator, author and researcher in the area of Multimedia in Education, personality linked to design, creativity and image; Daniela Gomes, expert invited by the jury linked to design, creativity and image. How can you apply? Applications must be submitted by filling in the Application form Consult the Poster Prize Regulation 3 December for information on the requirements to be met. For further information, please contact idipd@idipd.mtsss.gov.pt The December 3rd Poster Award has the support of the El Corte Inglés and CENCAL – Vocational Training Centre for the Ceramic Industry . Documents: Poster Prize Regulation 3 December Jury Constitution - Poster Prize 3 December 2026 Evaluation Criteria Weightings - Poster Prize 3 December 2026 Fequent Questions - Poster Prize 3 December 2026

The Institute recently held working meetings with the municipalities of Caminha, Sintra and Cascais, with the aim of promoting the implementation of Inclusion Desks in these territories. These meetings allowed to present the model of operation of this proximity response, reinforcing the importance of access to information, referral and support for persons with disabilities and their families, through structures closer to citizens. In the course of the meetings, the Espaço Família project was also presented, a measure integrated into the Action Plan of the Single Strategy for the Rights of Children and Youth 2025-2030 , conceived as a pilot project that could be developed in the Municipal Inclusion Desks that express interest in its implementation. The initiative was welcomed by the participating municipalities, who expressed interest in deepening knowledge about the project and analysing its implementation at local level, recognising the potential of this response to strengthen support for families and promote a more integrated approach to the needs of children and young people.