Andorra pushes disability-rights reforms as ministry and FAAD set accessibility demands

The Ministry of Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Federation of Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FAAD), held the conference "If you believe in dreams, they will be created" on 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The session was delivered by writer Albert Espinosa, who is known internationally for his optimistic outlook.

In her opening remarks, Minister Trini Marín said the event invited reflection on the strength, determination and transformative capacity of people with disabilities, noting that “disability does not define a life, but is part of the diversity that enriches us as a society.” Marín said the government is advancing amendments to the Law guaranteeing the rights of persons with disabilities to strengthen protection mechanisms and better respond to the community’s real needs. She also highlighted the recent approval of the Universal Accessibility Law as a step forward toward equal opportunities and the progressive removal of barriers. The minister stressed the importance of ensuring universal access to education, employment, leisure, sport and all areas of public life, and called on society to support people with disabilities on the path to autonomy and full participation.

FAAD president Diana Figueras used the occasion to set out practical demands and ongoing concerns. The federation is pushing for bus stops across the country to be adapted for people with disabilities, especially to help those with visual impairments locate stops safely. FAAD also urged the creation of an adapted emergency telephone service—similar to systems used elsewhere for people who are deaf—and said this should be considered as plans for a new emergency centre progress.

Figueras welcomed recent administrative improvements, including the introduction of an international disability card and shorter decision times at Conava, but said FAAD seeks greater detail in the new Conava regulations, which they view as currently too general. She asked that the agreement with the University of Andorra to waive tuition for students with disabilities be formalised in the official bulletin (BOPA), noting it appears in the university budget but has not yet been published. Among other priorities, FAAD aims to expand its membership and pursue options for insurance coverage of prostheses and assistive devices such as wheelchair components, hearing aids and visual prostheses—benefits available in some other countries.

Both the ministry and FAAD framed the conference as part of ongoing collaboration to advance legal reform, accessibility and inclusion so that people with disabilities can participate fully and equally in society.