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| Algarve Local Reference INFOrmation
Overview of where to go and what to do if you are mobility, sight or hearing impaired - a wheelchair or cane user - and living in or visiting Portugal. Information on the Portuguese organisations and facilities.
Below is information on: People with disabilities are protected by law against discrimination in employment, education, access to health care, or the provision of other state services, and the government effectively enforces the law. The law also mandates access to public buildings and ensures that the laws are adhered to. No legislation covers private businesses or other facilities.
Portuguese Disability BenefitsThe Portuguese Social Security organisation has a comprehensive English-language section on the website with details on registration, contributions and benefits:
People with disabilities, permanent and temporary, may be entitled to technical aids (ajudas técnicas) including prostheses, wheelchairs, optical aids. There are special arrangements for sufferers from hereditary paramyloidosis, HIV (AIDS), cancer and multiple sclerosis. A local Social Security office can supply further details. Disability PensionPortuguese Social Security makes Disability Pension (Pensão de Inválidez) payments to people who cannot work through disability or who need care and supervision. The following conditions have to be met to entitle a person to a disability pension:
The amount of the pension depends on the number of working years and total contributions to Social Security.
Complementary payment for dependant personsComplementary payment for dependant persons (Complemento por Dependência) is a special payment available to qualifying people who are dependant on care from others. This is paid to pensioners dependent on assistance. The legislation categorises the level of dependency in degrees, as follows:
How to claimThe claim form must be submitted at the Social Security office of the insured person's place of residence. Evidence may be required to substantiate the claim.
Children & Young People with DisabilitiesSocial Services in Portugal can offer the following types of support to families with disabled children:
In addition, parents or guardians may be entitled to the following for children up to the age of 24:
Once they reach the age of 24, young disabled adults who are unable to work, are entitled to the Monthly Lifelong Subsidy (Subsídio Mensal Vitalício). SchoolingDisabled children have priority in attendance at state kindergartens, and primary and secondary schools that integrate disabled children may have a maximum of two such children per class of twenty pupils. In the case that regular state schools are unable to meet the needs of pupils with disabilities, a special school may be recommended. More information on schooling for disabled children can be obtained from the Ministry of Education (Ministério da Educação), the Regional Offices of Education (Direcções Regionais de Educação), the Area Centres for Education (Centros de Área Educativa) and local schools.
Disabled Passengers and Public TransportAll public transport vehicles have specially reserved seats for disabled people, but few have wheelchair spaces. Carriers of a CP (Caminhos do Ferro Portuguesas) Disability Card (Cartão de Deficiente) are entitled to a 25 percent discount on long distance (Alfa Pendular), Intercity (Intercidades) and Regional (Regional) services with state railway operator CP. Forms to apply for a CP card for the disabled are available from CP ticket offices and are valid for 2 years. The applicant will need to supply two passport-sized colour photos.
Only parts of the Metro network in Lisbon are accessible to disabled people with mobility problems. There are no stated reductions for disabled customers using the Lisbon Metro. There are however lifts at main stations from the platforms to ground level (60) and 10 moving conveyer belts, while 234 payment machines are adapted for customers with disabilities and visual impairment. People with visual disabilities can travel with their guide dogs if these are on a leash and muzzled. All Portuguese airports have specially adapted toilets and wheelchairs and can provide special assistance, by prior arrangement. Driving and the DisabledDisabled drivers are exempt from paying VAT (IVA) on the purchase of a vehicle up to a tax amount of €6,487,37. The disabled driver will need to fill out:
Disabled person's parking cardThe blue badge is a standardised European Community disabled person's parking permit which provides parking entitlements to blue badge holders in all complying European countries. A blue badge from one country is valid in another. A person coming to Portugal from another EU country may find it easier to apply in their home country for this universal badge which allows the use of reserved parking. In Portugal:
Driver's with a Blue Badge from another European country can display this Portuguese translation beside the badge (from the UK AA (Automobile Association)
Applying for a Disabled Person's CardInformation for the disabled and application forms for the Disabled Person’s Card (Cartão de Deficiente) are available from Municipal Councils (Câmara Municipal). The following documents will need to be presented:
National Associations for the Disabled & Mobility-reduced
Local Information for the AlgarveWhether on holiday or living in the region, there are companies that can provide equipment.
Wheeling Around the Algarve has information on accommodation, transport, leisure, sports and equipment rental for disabled people in the Algarve. Algarve Associations for the Disabled
Other associationsCalibre Audio Books: UK charity, Calibre, supplies audio books in English on cassette or disk to visually impaired and disabled people. The free service is available to members (registration can be made via the website). Free postal service is available to anywhere in Europe. BeachesMany of the beaches in the Algarve have facilities for the disabled.
Further Information
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