Formentera celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities

foto dia discapacitat 2018 2The Formentera Council social welfare office reports that the programme of activities which begins this Monday, December 3, to commemorate International Day of Persons with Disabilities was unveiled today.

Vanessa Parellada, the Council's secretary of social welfare, and Marta Uriarte, director of the island's dependent care centre, the Centre de Dia, were joined by representatives of the Eivissa-Formentera association for people with special needs (APNEEF), the Pau Mayans association for the integration of people on the autism spectrum (APMIPTEA) and the Pityusic association for educational and social inclusion (APIES) in presenting a host of events scheduled to take place from November 28 to December 16.

First ever Jornades sobre la Discapacitat

On Wednesday, November 28, the first Jornades sobre la Discapacitat, day-long features on the resources and services available locally people with disabilities, will take place in the Centre de Dia's conference hall. Parellada described the gatherings as “a showcase for efforts that are under way locally—partnerships with a range of groups working to support people with disabilities—aimed at meeting needs within this community”. The idea, says the secretary, is to educate families about the resources that exist to help them.

The Jornades get started at 9.30am and will begin with a presentation of the activities offered at the service for childhood development and early care (SEDIAP), DISCARED Ibiza, the network of families of people with disabilities and APIES, plus a look at APMIPTEA's Formatea project. The event will be followed with a round-table discussion and will close with an open day at the dependent care facility.

Other activities

For International Day of Persons with Disabilities, from 11.00am to 1.00pm on Monday, December 3, groups will mount information stands in Sant Francesc's plaça de la Constitució. APNEEF, APMIPTEA and APIES will share information about the activities and programmes they organise on Formentera and sell handkerchiefs for the charity walk.

December 8, the local cinema (Sala de Cultura) welcomes back Campeones, Spain's contribution to this year's Oscar awards. The free screening starts at 6.00pm.

Second Caminada Solidària
The final event for International Day of Persons with Disabilities happens Saturday December 16 with the second annual Caminada Solidària. The tagline of this year's walk is “Walking together without barriers” and participants will set out on a two-kilometre route from jardí de ses Eres. “The walk is accessible for people with a range of disabilities”, confided Parellada. “so everyone can take part”. Walkers are expected at 1.00pm for snacks in jardí de ses Eres.