On the occasion of European Independent Living Day, people with disabilities gathered in eight cities across Portugal, including Vila Real, Braga, Guimarães, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Lisbon, and Faro, to demand fundamental rights.
Amidst heavy rain, Rui Tavares justified his accusation against the government, emphasizing the need to allocate around 100 million euros annually to this field, as proposed in the State Budget for 2025. However, the government has earmarked only 33 million euros over several years within the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
“It wasn’t the Portuguese state’s money. When the PRR ends, there’s no money for these people,” Tavares stressed.
Advocating for hiring people with disabilities in both public and private sectors, Rui Tavares highlighted that these citizens can significantly contribute to society but often lack opportunities due to insufficient investment.
“These are citizens who, by having their dignity recognized, are helping to create jobs,” he noted.
As an example, Tavares mentioned that for these individuals to be free, they need laws and policies enabling access ramps to workplaces or recreational areas, especially for those using wheelchairs.
“To be free, it’s not enough to have less government or pay fewer taxes,” he asserted.
The Livre spokesperson deemed it “scandalous” that right-wing parties were absent from the march, where BE and PCP were present, emphasizing that politics should serve everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
The Organizing Committee of the March for Independent Living (COMVI) stated that the initiative aimed to highlight diversity and demand the full implementation of human rights for people with disabilities.
Established in 2018, this annual march is supported by 26 organizations and collectives associated with disability and social movements that seek to empower a frequently marginalized community.
For Independent Living advocates, every person, with or without disabilities, has the right to self-determination, dignity, and full inclusion in society.
