Puglia initiatives focus on disability services and rights

In the Puglia region of Italy, several initiatives are addressing disability rights and services. The Metropolitan City of Bari is finalizing a tender for the school transport service for students with disabilities for the 2026/2027 academic year. After three previous attempts failed to attract bidders, three operators have responded to the latest call. To prevent service disruptions, authorities are working on an emergency temporary assignment to ensure transport resumes as early as next week. Families may also receive mileage reimbursements during the transition.

Simultaneously, the Disability Pride Puglia event is scheduled to move across the region, including Taranto, Lecce, Brindisi, Foggia, and Bari. The program features parades, debates, and workshops, with a specific focus on the upcoming National Disability Reform set to take effect in January 2027. Key stops include a parade in Brindisi on September 25 and a concluding event in Bari on October 17 featuring discussions between citizens and institutions regarding the new reform.