Portugal faces significant accessibility gaps despite existing laws

Despite legislative progress and the recognition of accessibility as a right, Portugal continues to face a significant gap between legal requirements and daily reality for people with disabilities.

Salvador Mendes de Almeida, founder of the Salvador Association, highlights that inaccessible sidewalks, buildings without proper access, and transportation systems that fail to ensure autonomous use remain widespread issues. These barriers restrict access to employment, education, healthcare, and general social participation.

The Salvador Association is calling for more than just legal recognition; it is demanding concrete measures, including clear responsibilities, deadlines, and measurable results. The organization emphasizes the need for improved execution, stricter inspection, and accountability to ensure that existing and future infrastructure meets accessibility standards.