Agencia de Gobierno Electrónico y Sociedad de la Información y del Conocimiento

29 – Institutional reinforcement for the development of Public Policies on Disability and Accessibility

Brief description of the commitment: the proposal aims at boosting the development of public policies on disability and accessibility by prioritizing existing institutions, implementing participatory processes, and incorporating transparency and accountability tools. The creation of the National Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the National Board of Disability Policies, and the National Commission for the Participation of Persons with Disabilities will be promoted. Furthermore, the participatory development of the first National Plan for Accessibility and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be encouraged as a coordinating instrument for government actions in this area.

Organization leading the commitment: Ministry of Social Development (MIDES for its acronym in Spanish)

Person responsible for the commitment: Federico Lezama, Director of the Disability Area. Contact: federico.lezama@mides.gub.uy .

Technical head: Martín Maguna, advisor to the National Secretariat for Care and Disability. Contact : martin.maguna@mides.gub.uy

Actors:

1. Government: Executive Branch.

2. Civil Society: Civil society organizations linked to the promotion of the rights of people with disabilities and other interested parties.

3. Other actors: Legislative Branch, Judicial Branch.

Implementation period: September 2025 - June 2029.

Problem definition

What problem does the commitment intend to address?

People with disabilities are among the groups most exposed to inequality, which is expressed in access to education at all levels, access to employment, to health services, the use and production of cultural goods, access to transportation, and movement through public areas, among others.

To address this issue, Uruguay faces the challenge of reinforcing its institutional framework for public policies on Accessibility and Disability, from a human rights perspective. This has been highlighted by various actors, including the United Nations Committee of Experts for the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and has been committed to by the current government through signing of a cross-party political agreement.

It is also a challenge to strengthen the participation of organizations of people with disabilities in the construction of public policies, respecting the motto "Nothing about us, without us".

What are the causes of the problem?

The approach to disability has been characterized by a medical-rehabilitative perspective in which disability is understood as an individual problem embodied in the body, as a deficit, pathology, syndrome, or disease that must be rehabilitated or cured as an essential step for full participation in society. This approach has prevented the recognition of people with disabilities as subjects of rights and the mainstreaming of accessibility across public policies, perpetuating barriers that lead to their exclusion.

From the Social Model based on the Human Rights perspective, disability is understood as the result of the interaction between people and environmental barriers (physical, communication, pedagogical or attitudinal barriers), which prevent the construction of dignified life projects, based on singularity and the full enjoyment and exercise of rights.

Description of the commitment

What has been done so far to solve the problem?

Uruguay has ratified the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and has made progress in developing legal frameworks, institutional structures, and spaces for social participation related to disability and accessibility. However, the scope of these actions has not been sufficient to reverse the conditions of inequality and exclusion.

Given this situation, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has expressed its concern about the low hierarchical rank of the responsible institutions in this matter, recommending that they be strengthened, guaranteeing the active and leading participation of persons with disabilities in the definition, implementation and monitoring of public policies.

The Committee also emphasizes the urgent need to generate and systematize disaggregated data and statistics to support evidence-based decisions, and to promote comprehensive national plans that foster the full exercise of rights and the elimination of structural barriers.

Several of these observations, arising from the analysis of the Uruguayan State Report and the alternative report prepared by civil society, have been incorporated into a cross-party political agreement and form part of the current government's program. This provides broad institutional support for the implementation of transformative measures that, based on democratic consensus, are essential for moving towards a fairer society.

What solution does it propose?

To consolidate a national system that articulates and institutionalizes public policies on disability and accessibility under a cross-cutting human rights approach.

Regarding the hierarchy of the Institution, the following is proposed: the creation of the National Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (INADIS) as the area of direction and leadership of Policies, the creation of the National Board of Disability Policies as a supra-ministerial area of policy definition and inter-institutional articulation, and the creation of the National Commission for the Participation of Persons with Disabilities as an area of social participation, advice and control (with legal personality and economic resources).

The participatory development of the first National Plan for Accessibility and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will foster dialogue throughout the country, promoting the active participation of civil society organizations, institutional actors, and the general public. These forums will aim at communicating the strategic guidelines of the Plan and to collaboratively develop the proposals, actions, and commitments that will comprise it.

The implementation of a Monitoring Plan will allow users to see the actions committed to by the various State agencies (progress in implementation, goals, indicators, deadlines and responsible parties) in a web interface with clear, user-friendly and accessible information.

On the one hand, the data that are integrated into the Monitor will also be published in the National Catalog of Open Data, with the aim of guaranteeing its free access and facilitating its reuse by researchers, civil society organizations and the general public.

What results do we want to achieve by implementing this commitment?

To improve the living conditions and guaranteeing the rights of people with disabilities.

Reinforcing the human rights approach to addressing disability in public policies.

Consolidating an appropriate institutional framework.

Promoting and implementing the participation of people with disabilities in the construction of public policies.

Commitment analysis

How will the commitment promote transparency?

By disseminating the process of building the National Plan for Accessibility and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to ensure informed participation in this process.

During the implementation of the Plan, open information and data will be generated and published.

How will the commitment help foster accountability?

A mechanism will be implemented to track, monitor and for the accountability of the policies adopted as part of the implementation of the commitment.

How will the commitment improve citizen participation in defining, implementing, and monitoring solutions?

The commitment will generate new mechanisms and opportunities to promote the participation of people with disabilities throughout the public policy cycle through the creation of the National Commission for the Participation of People with Disabilities and the participatory construction of the aforementioned Plan.