NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2025- english text

Influencing Public Policies

Current context

This year, the national government implemented a systematic policy of harassing and defunding the disability community. Relying on smears and fake news, the government cut pensions, froze healthcare provider fees, and cut back on medical coverage. All this, regardless of serious allegations of corruption in the National Disability Agency (ANDIS).

In its drive to further its inequality agenda, the Executive vetoed key laws (such as the disability and pediatric emergency bills, and the university funding bill). Although Congress overruled the vetoes, these bills were never executed. The most recent attempt was to repeal them when discussing the Budget. In this scenario, we have actively backed persons with disabilities and their families, workers, retirees, and other sectors affected by these policies.

At the same time, we continue to hold a critical stance regarding disability bills that do not incorporate the collective's historical demands, and that normalize poverty for families deeply affected by the emergency.

Chronic unemployment plunges people with disabilities into poverty and limits their chances of autonomy. Combined with a growing and aunaffordable cost of living, this reflects the injustice faced by all working families: the rollback of fundamental rights jeopardizes access to food, health care, and housing. In other words, it jeopardizes their very survival. Press release 

No household with a disabled person or a retiree should fall below the poverty line. We demand decent pensions and wages that cover the basic costs of living.

WHAT WE THINK ABOUT THE NATIONAL DISABILITY EMERGENCY BILL No. 27,793 

One must differentiate between the current state of emergency and the gradual deterioration of the quality of life of people with disabilities. OUR POSITION 

DISABILITY FRAMEWORK BILL. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Following the presentation of this bill in the National Congress by Representative Arroyo and the NGOs that accompanied him (July 11), we analysed it from a critical and proactive standpoint. Networking with APEBI (Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus), TRASLADEDIS (Traslasierra Association for Disability Rights), and disability and mental health expert Giselle Ferrari, we drafted a document focusing on: accessibility, employment, social security, and autonomy. Three months have passed without any response, even though in his presentation in Congress, Eduardo Joly emphasized the lack of participation by organizations throughout the country and the need to call on experts in human rights and in each of the issues addressed by the bill. DOCUMENT

15 PROPOSALS ON DISABILITY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

In this election year, we reached out to candidates, political parties, and the media. We've been highlighting the need to extend the employment quota to the private sector and raise it from 4% to 8%, to reach the proportion of people with disabilities in the total working-age population. OUR PROPOSALS

A NECESSARY UPDATE. EMPLOYMENT QUOTAS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.  Article published in El Cohete a la Luna

A STRIKING ACHIEVEMENT: THE BUENOS AIRES CITY BUILDING CODE IS CONFIRMED TO BE NULL.

The City of Buenos Aires Court of Appeals for Administrative, Tax, and Consumer Relations upheld a lower court's ruling declaring null and void the Building Code approved by Laws No. 6100 and 6438. This is the second consecutive victory in local courts for persons with disabilities who have claimed that the code is discriminatory. Given the Court of Appeals ruling, those affected may request precautionary measures. From now on, the fight will take place in the Supreme Court of Justice of the City of Buenos Aires. Note 

Community involvement and networking in Buenos Aires Province

"JOSÉ POBLETE ROA" ACCESSIBILITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM

As part of the Accessibility Working Group, coordinated by the province's Undersecretary for Human Rights, we visited the Puesto Vasco Memorial Site in Quilmes and the former Banfield Prison close to the University of Lanús. We participated in panel discussions and in a Federal Human Rights Meeting.

IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MORENO

A NETWORK OF EXPERIENCES. Via the Municipal Council for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities (COMUNIDIS), made up of social organizations and government agencies, we launched a series of talks under the banner of "COMUNIDIS in your neighborhood." This project, which focuses on family and support networks, aims to develop a resource guide rooted in shared knowledge.

CONSTRUCTING VISITABLE SPACES

This year: 1) we worked on the accessibility of the Rancho Los Estribos House Museum; 2) we participated in the Environmental Congress "Caring for the Common Home" held in May, 3) we promoted the recent Meeting of “La(s) Senda(s)” by Claudio Caveri, “Jugar(se) en la frontera: el eterno encuentro está ahí” and 4) we promoted the installation of an Internationally Certified Inclusive Changing Table in the Los Robles Municipal Reserve, a project promotes autonomy and diversity, challenging the way public restrooms are designed. Note

“LOS ARTISTAS” PLAZA OFFICIALIZED BY THE LOCAL MUNICIPAL COUNCIL 

The local municipal council approved a project promoted by neighbors and Councilman Gastón Fraga in the “Francisco Álvarez” town. The plaza has been cared for by the community over the past 10 years. In 2021, Rumbos—as a member of the Local Council for the Promotion and Protection of Children and Adolescents—joined this project, contributing experience in accessibility.

Academic and Community-based Activities

ACCESSIBLE AND SAFE SIDEWALKS PROGRAM (VAS): SURVEYING ACCESSIBILITY CONDITIONS IN PUBLIC SPACES

In collaboration with the Disability and Accessibility Program (SEUBE) and Professor Lucioni’s geography course in the Department of Geography of the School of Philosophy and Humanities, University of Buenos Aires (FILO, UBA), we surveyed Hospital Durand’s accessibility as part of the UBANEX Program. The evaluation took place in the surroundings, the emergency room entrance, the route to the vaccination ward, and doctors’ offices. This public hospital runs on a daily basis, as it is a fundamental center for human anti-rabies prophylaxis in the City of Buenos Aires.

We participated in the "Ver la ciudad con otros ojos" workshop as part of  "EXPO IGEO 2025: Investigando y Transformando Territorios". There, we presented the report issued by the university teams and the foundation. Within this framework, we surveyed facilities at the main headquarters of FILO, UBA University.

Along with teachers and students of Disability and Care, which focuses on caregiving for children, persons with disabilities and older adults, we surveyed the surroundings of the Center for Innovation and Development of Community Action (CIDAC-FILO).

ACCESSIBLE SIDEWALKS IN BELGRANO NEIGHBORHOOD (COMMUNE 13) We produced a video and a report of the obstacles faced by a neighbor who uses a motorized wheelchair in the Belgrano Neighborhood. These were presented to the City’s Minister of Public Space and Urban Hygiene, the Deputy Head of Government, and the Director General of Universal Accessibility.

SURVEYING THE ACCESSIBILITY CONDITIONS AT RAÍZEN ARGENTINA HEADQUARTERS Following up on last year’s work with Raízen's Diversity and Inclusion department, we surveyed two additional company sites: the Sola Plant in Barracas and the Central Office in Nuñez (City of Buenos Aires). Raízen Argentina refines and distributes fuels and lubricants. The emphasis of the survey was put on the incorporation of future employees with disabilities.

Meetings, Workshops and Classes

BY ARCHITECT SILVIA CORIAT

• Classes: How to approach accessibility and accessibility in existing buildings. Visitability, adaptability, and practicability. Organized by the College of Architects of the Province of Buenos Aires (CAPBA). Video

  
  

• Inclusive Design Workshop for architects. Organized by CAPBA District VII in Pehuajó. Thirty members from municipalities in the area participated: Trenque Lauquen, Gral. Villegas, América, 9 de Julio, among other municipalities, sent representatives to the workshop . During her town visit, Coriat held a workshop with Technical Highschool students as well.

  
  

• Home environment, disability, and family ties. Discussion organized by APBA (Association of Psychologists of Buenos Aires). Video

• In defense of special education and the importance of supporting each student's trajectory and the promotion of their inclusion. Discussion at the “Alicia Moreau de Justo” Institute of Psychopedagogy. Note

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO CONTINUE DEFENDING WHAT WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO ACHIEVE. NOT ONE WHEEL, CANE OR STEP BACK! Donate