Abinader Presents National Disability Plan 2025-2035 to Guarantee Equal Conditions and Opportunities

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Santo Domingo. – President Luis Abinader presented this Monday the National Disability Plan 2025-2035, a comprehensive public policy aimed at guaranteeing equal opportunities for all people, universal accessibility, educational, cultural and sports inclusion, as well as decent work and sustainable employment. This initiative reaffirms the national commitment to ensure that all people with disabilities live with dignity, autonomy, and full rights.

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The plan also advocates for comprehensive health and rehabilitation, and the protection, promotion, and social development of more than 478 thousand people living with some type of disability in the country, according to the 2022 National Population and Housing Census. Of them, 57% are women and 43% are men. The director of CONADIS, Benny Metz, highlighted that this plan is based on Law 5-13 on Disability, constitutional guarantees, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, of which the country is a signatory.

Equal opportunities for all people

In the next 10 years, actions will be carried out to ensure equal conditions for all people with disabilities. Metz highlighted that 15,497 people from 180 public and private institutions have participated in workshops on “dignified treatment towards people with disabilities from a rights-based approach”; likewise, 20,655 people have been trained through the virtual platform Academia CONADIS.

Universal Accessibility and Design for All

To comply with this second axis, 53 public and private institutions are registered in the National Accessibility Evaluation System (SINAC 2025) and the architectural regulations for accessibility in buildings and spaces were updated (MIVED–CONADIS). In addition, 26 segments of beaches with Blue Flag status and 24 web portals have been evaluated to obtain NORTIC B2 certification. The aim is also to expand sign language programs.

Comprehensive Health and Rehabilitation

In terms of health and rehabilitation, an agreement was reached with the National Health Service (NHS) for the opening of three assessment units in the territory. It was determined that 54% of hospitals meet physical accessibility criteria according to Nordom 779; a protocol for the care of children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is implemented; and work is being done on the training of SNS, CAID and INAIPI personnel in the National Valuation and Certification System. Metz explained that the CAIDs and the territorial therapeutic intervention units (UITT) are going to be expanded, of which 17% are in adaptation and 29% in planning. Likewise, progress is being made in the revision of the Mental Health Law.

Educational, Cultural and Sports Inclusion

The actions of this fourth axis aim to guarantee access to education and cultural participation with the incorporation of the inclusive approach in the Ten-Year Education Plan (Horizon 2034); pilot projects for the diagnosis and assessment of people with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities and on inclusion in the higher education system, as well as inclusion in sports.

Decent work and sustainable employment

Through an agreement between the MAP and CONADIS, the aim is to strengthen the labor inclusion of people with disabilities in public administration. Also, Sub-indicator 9.6 of inclusion and accessibility was implemented, on which 126 institutions provided evidence of compliance. 51 institutions conducted physical accessibility assessments. 30 state institutions created their first Governmental Inclusion and Accessibility Committee (CIAG), 85 institutions completed training programs to meet the employment quota, and an inter-institutional table was created to promote labor inclusion in the private sector.

Promotion, protection, and social development

The president outlined actions that strengthen community participation and social support, such as the National Forum on the application of Law 34-23 for the inclusion of people with ASD; regional forums to promote inclusive municipalities together with the Dominican Municipal League (Azua, Santiago and La Romana), and the National Meeting of Councilors to promote inclusive municipalities. The “CONADIS Para Todos” social inclusion days were also mentioned in provinces such as Baní, Santiago, San Cristóbal, Higüey, La Vega, and Puerto Plata. And, for 2025, the Government allocated RD$141,220,800 to ASFLs in the disability sector, with a projected increase for 2026.

Acknowledgements

During the event, President Abinader presented special recognitions to personalities and organizations that have dedicated their lives to inclusion.

These are:

  • Amelia Brea, inclusive actress.
  • Odile Villavizar, mother and autism advocate.
  • Cristina Francisco, defender of the rights of women with disabilities.
  • National Patronage of the Blind, for its pioneering work.
  • Posthumous recognition to Mary Pérez Marranzini, received by Celso Marranzini.
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