President Luis Abinader presented his administration’s new efforts for persons with special needs. He used the first half hour of his weekly Monday press conference on 31 March 2025 to explain what his government is doing to reach out to disabled persons and comply with the Law 43-23 on sign language, Law 34-23 on autism and ruling 05-24 on inclusive education, all passed during the first Abinader term to help impaired persons.
The President explained that 19,712 disability certificates have been issued. The certificates facilitate the granting of privileges to those with disabilities. These privileges include tax exemptions, pensions and support equipment, among other benefits. He said the budget for disabilities has increased from RD$87 million to RD$141 million.
Furthermore, during the presentation the point was made that while in the past the National Disabilities Council (Conadis), the government institution serving this population, had only a small office in the capital city of Santo Domingo serving around 30 persons a day, the government is now installing offices all around the country. The offices are now fit to serve around 400 persons a day, and the reach is being extended. Conadis assistance is also being installed in the Gob.do points at major malls around the country.
The programs include incorporating accessibility to public hospitals and incorporating public school buses with ramps.
Among the measures is the goal to get government institutions to comply with the 5% employment of disabled persons. The private sector is also being motivated to comply with the 2% employment legal requirement.
The advances have been made as the government seeks to implement provisions in the new laws and work towards the implementation of the National Disabilities Plan, with transversal policies for all the country.
The actions at Conadis have escalated after the naming of Benny Eurípides Metz Muñoz as president of the institution by the board of Conadis that made up of 60% civil society representatives. On the board are key persons such as Francina Hungria (representing the visually impaired), Oscar Villanueva (representing those with Down syndrome) and Monica Despradel (those with cerebral paralysis). Another high-profile participant with Conadis in the renewed efforts for the impaired is renowned Dr. Felix Cruz Jiminian.
During the presentation, Metz spoke of efforts to attract international support. He announced the country will host the next Regional de Latinoamericana y el Caribe de Discapacidad Summit. The international exposure is important for the Dominican Republic.
Metz also highlighted that the country resumed working with the Mormons who have donated 1,500 wheelchairs this year. He spoke of efforts to locate a manufacturer of these in the Dominican Republic.
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Presidency
La Semanal 31 March 2025
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1 April 2025