Organization
Associação Portuguesa de Deficientes(APD)
Associação Portuguesa de Deficientes is Portugal's primary cross-disability advocacy organisation, founded in 1972 and governed entirely by people with disabilities themselves. Based in Lisbon, it operates 20 regional structures across Portugal and campaigns for the rights, independence, and social inclusion of all disabled people.
About
Founded on 14 April 1972 and headquartered at Largo do Rato 1-B, Lisbon, APD (Associação Portuguesa de Deficientes) is one of Portugal's oldest disability organisations. Distinctively, it is constituted and directed entirely by people with disabilities — a principle that has defined its identity as a human rights organisation since its founding. Its governing bodies were renewed for the 2025–2028 quadrennium in 2025.
What They Do
APD advocates before the Portuguese Parliament and government on disability rights and social inclusion policy, provides information and guidance to disabled individuals on their legal rights and entitlements, and contributes to national strategic planning including the National Strategy for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities (ENIPD). It operates 20 regional delegations across Portugal and represents the disabled community in European disability networks.
Who They Serve
APD serves people with all types of disability across Portugal, with a historic emphasis on people with physical disabilities. Through its 20 regional structures it reaches disabled people nationwide, and its advocacy work directly influences social care, accessibility, employment, and education policy affecting Portugal's full disabled population.
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