Organization
Latin American Network of Organisations of People with Disabilities and their Families(RIADIS)
RIADIS is the principal regional DPO network in Latin America and the Caribbean, representing 56 member organisations across 19 countries. Founded in 2002 in Caracas and legally registered in Colombia in 2023, it advocates before the UN, OAS, and International Disability Alliance on behalf of persons with all disabilities.
About
RIADIS (Red Latinoamericana de Organizaciones No Gubernamentales de Personas con Discapacidad y sus Familias) was founded on 17 October 2002 at the First Regional Conference in Caracas, Venezuela. It gained legal status in São Paulo in 2008 and re-registered in Colombia in November 2023. It is the primary regional member of the Latin American Region of the International Disability Alliance (IDA).
What They Do
RIADIS represents its member organisations before international bodies including the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Organization of American States, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. It monitors CRPD implementation across the region, produces parallel reports, and convenes member organisations to coordinate advocacy strategy. It also runs a Regional Observatory on Disability tracking legislation, jurisprudence, and policies across member states.
Who They Serve
RIADIS serves people with all types of disabilities across Latin America and the Caribbean through its 56 member organisations (39 full members, 17 collaborators) in 19 countries. The network is governed by the principle that persons with disabilities must lead the organisations that represent them.
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