National Institute for Rehabilitation
Planning, Coordination and Implementation of National Policies for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Authors' group representing Cedema and the AFID Difference Foundation sings the janeiras in the auditorium of the National Institute for Rehabilitation
On the morning of Tuesday, January 6, the Auditorium of the National Institute for Rehabilitation (INR) filled with music and joy. A group of authors representing Cedema (Association of Parents and Friends of the Mentally Impaired Adults) in partnership with the AFID Difference Foundation (AFID), came to Sing the Janeiras, providing a musical moment that delighted the entire INR team. The themes chosen to welcome 2026 were brilliantly interpreted by the group, including ‘The Procession’ by João Villaret and ‘As Janeiras’ by José Afonso, better known as Zeca Afonso.
View highlight details World Braille Day: Technology and Inclusion under Debate - Join the Braille and Artificial Intelligence Webinar
On the day 4 January , we celebrate the World Braille Day , a greater symbol of literacy, autonomy and inclusion for blind and low-sighted people. In an increasingly digital world, Braille remains an essential tool for ensuring access to information, communication and full participation in society. As Mary Pat Radabaugh said in 1993: “For most people, technology makes things easier; for people with disabilities, technology makes things possible.” This idea is particularly relevant when we think of the convergence between Braille e Artificial Intelligence (AI) . Far from posing a threat, technological innovation can open up new opportunities to strengthen Braille reading and writing by promoting inclusive and accessible solutions. In order to deepen this reflection, the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P. (INR), and Core for Braille and Leit's Complementary Means ura , organise an webinar Dedicated to the topic on the day 15 January 2026 . This event will: Explore How AI Can Power Braille , automating processes and facilitating the production of accessible materials; Submit academic, pedagogical and user perspectives ; Discuss Future scenarios for a more inclusive society. Panel of Experts: Moderator: Rui Batista (Núcleo Braille) Speakers: Ângelo Abrantes – Retired lecturer and proficient Braille user; Isabel Anacleto – Special Education Teacher in the Field of Vision; Rafael Martins – Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind (Brazil); and Tiago Guerreiro – Associate Professor in the Department of Informatics of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon Webinar: Braille and Artificial Intelligence – Opportunities and Challenges Date: 15 January 2026 (Thursday) Time: 17h00 – 18h30 (Continental Portugal) | 14h00 – 15h30 (Brasília – Brazil) Format: Online , via Zoom Webinar Duration: 1.30 a.m. Link to registration: https://tinyurl.com/yuv36udd Sign up and join us in this reflection on technology, accessibility and inclusion! Image generated by artificial intelligence.
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European Day Of Persons With Disabilities, 4-5 December 2025
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 .
View highlight details Informal Caregiver Status – Amendments
As part of the administrative reform, a series of amendments were published on 24 December under: ESPAP, GERAP, ANCP, SGeral, CCDR, AII (FCT and ANI) within the Government, the Services of the Assembly of the Republic and the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic. The diplomas were: Amends the support allowance for the primary informal caregiver by integrating it into the family protection subsystem in the context of possible dependency charges and not into the solidarity subsystem, which amends the legal regime establishing the Informal Caregiver Statute and its regulations; Updates the amount of the guaranteed minimum monthly wage to €920 as of 1 January 2026; It determines the normal age of access to old-age pension in 2027 at 66 years and 11 months. See the documents below: Decree-Law No 138/2025 of 29 December 2025 (Informal Caregiver Statute) ; Ministerial Implementing Order No 476/2025/1 of 29 December (Retirement age) ; Decree-Law No 139/2025 of 29 December 2025 (minimum monthly remuneration) .
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Extension ENIPD 2021-2025
The National Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2025 was extended until the entry into force of the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2026-2030. Consult the diploma of DR 1st Series No. 246, of 23/12/2025 HERE .
View highlight details Selo — Espaços Culturais Acessíveis e Inclusivos (SECAI).
Foi publicada, dia 5 de dezembro, a Portaria n.º 432/2025/1, de 5 de dezembro , que cria o Selo — Espaços Culturais Acessíveis e Inclusivos (SECAI). Este novo selo distingue os espaços culturais que asseguram boas condições de acessibilidade física, digital e comunicacional, promovendo uma oferta cultural verdadeiramente inclusiva para todas as pessoas. O SECAI abrange duas categorias de espaços culturais e pode ser atribuído em três níveis — Bronze, Prata e Ouro — consoante o cumprimento dos requisitos definidos no regulamento. As entidades públicas e privadas responsáveis por espaços culturais podem apresentar candidatura através do Portal gov.pt, submetendo a documentação prevista no regulamento. O INR, I.P. divulgará nos seus canais oficiais a lista atualizada dos espaços distinguidos com o selo.
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Regulation on financial support for the operation of general NGOPDs published in RD and launch of applications for 2026
The Regulation on financial support for the operation of Non-Governmental Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (NGDOs) of general scope, Regulation No. 1205/2025, was published in the Portuguese Official Gazette (Diário da República) on 3 November. It defines the conditions for accessing, allocating and implementing financial support for the operation, as well as the rules and procedures governing the respective applications and implementation. According to its Article 5, applications for 2026 will run from 15 November to 31 December 2025. A call for applications will be launched on 12 November. Consult the new Regulation HERE .
View highlight details Concurso “Escola Alerta!” 2025/2026 com candidaturas abertas
The ‘School Alert!’ Competition 2025/2026, an initiative of the National Institute for Rehabilitation, I.P., is open to children in Pre-School Education and to students and students in Basic and Secondary Education, to promote projects and ideas that promote inclusion in schools and communities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate. Applications may be submitted until 28 February 2026. The competition inviting children and young people, with the support of their teachers, to submit projects that integrate the inclusion of persons with disabilities, active citizenship and a culture of non-violence, is organised in three categories: Pre-School Education and 1st Cycle, 2nd and 3rd Cycles and Secondary Education. Projects ranked in the top three places in each category receive financial support – €2,000 for 1st place, €1,000 for 2nd place and €750 for 3rd place – as well as trophies and diplomas. The 2025/2026 edition takes place in the year in which the Single Strategy for the Rights of Children and Youth 2025-2035, approved by the Government in February, was published. The competition aims to involve schools in creating accessible and inclusive educational environments, ensuring learning and participation opportunities for all learners. Established in 2003/2004, ‘Escola Alerta!’ has already involved more than 30,000 students, 4,000 teachers and more than 1,000 schools. In the 2024/2025 edition, 2109 students and 161 teachers from 28 schools from 11 districts participated, with projects on inclusion and accessibility. See the rules and conditions for participation in https://www.inr.pt/escola-alerta For a school where every person counts. For a school where every person makes a difference.
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