The Elder Museum of Science and Technology hosted the opening of the XX Congress of Autonomous CERMIs Canary Islands 2026, a state-level event focused on the territorial application of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The opening ceremony was attended by authorities including the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo; the Vice-Minister of Social Welfare, Francis Candil; the President of CERMI Canarias, Carmen Laucirica; the President of CERMI state, Luis Cayo Pérez Bueno; the Director General for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of the Government of Spain, Jesús Martín Blanco; the Mayoress of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Carolina Darias; and the President of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales.
During the opening, President Fernando Clavijo emphasized the creation of the General Directorate for Disability as a response to CERMI's request for direct dialogue and public policy planning. He highlighted the importance of a specific structure for ongoing communication with representative entities and ensuring administrative decisions align with the real needs of people with disabilities and their families, regardless of their island or municipality of residence.
The Vice-Minister of Social Welfare, Francis Candil, detailed the progress in regional management, noting the 57,184 disability resolutions issued during the current term, which has led to a 75.5% reduction in waiting lists. In the capital islands, the reduction is 68.4%, while in non-capital islands, the decentralization of teams has enabled compliance with the legal 180-day processing period for assessments. A total of 28,157 disability accreditation cards have been issued, along with the installation of 252 magnetic loops and the provision of 76 amphibious chairs to municipalities.
Candil also mentioned an investment of over 333,000 euros in artificial intelligence tools to enhance case management and the prioritization of minors under 18 through Decree-Law 4/2025. The Government of the Canary Islands reaffirmed its commitment to administrative simplification and barrier removal to ensure equal rights across the archipelago.
The congress will continue over the coming days with the exchange of experiences and proposals to advance personal autonomy, inclusion, and equal rights for people with disabilities.
