Uruguay Opposition Urges President to Fulfill Disability Policy Accord

Opposition leaders in Uruguay have formally requested President Yamandú Orsi to prioritize disability policies during the upcoming budget review. In a letter sent Friday, a group of prominent figures urged the president to deepen actions aimed at fulfilling an interparty commitment signed during the 2024 election campaign. This commitment sought to establish a state policy for disability inclusion with institutional continuity.

The signatories emphasized that each budgetary instance presents an opportunity to translate these commitments into concrete measures. They view the upcoming "Rendición de Cuentas" (accountability report) as a crucial moment to advance these goals. The letter specifically calls for intensified efforts in key areas such as education, healthcare, and job inclusion for individuals with disabilities. It also highlights Uruguay's demographic shift, marked by a declining birthrate, suggesting this scenario could allow for a gradual reallocation of resources towards inclusion policies.

A particular focus is placed on inclusive education, a central tenet of the interparty agreement. The leaders argue that a decrease in school enrollment creates an opening to strengthen support systems. This includes increasing the number of specialized teachers, technical teams, personal assistants, and pedagogical resources to ensure quality inclusive education for children and adolescents with disabilities. They also announced that their respective parties' legislative and technical teams will push for parliamentary amendments and proposals related to these initiatives during the budget review process. The leaders reiterated their commitment to constructive dialogue with the government, offering the expertise of the interparty team that helped draft the original commitment.