The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, released the following statement to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities:
«The Constitution guarantees every man and woman the exercise of their rights, without exceptions.
It often proves to be a laboursome process, especially for too many persons with disabilities who live in conditions of loneliness and marginalization.
It arises in everyday life, in the streets of our towns and cities, in families and schools, in public transport and on the job.
Prejudice and stereotypes hinder their full participation in community life and the valorization of their talents.
Families face enormous challenges: delays, refusals, and unreasonable complications exacerbate the economic, organizational and emotional burden of caring for persons with disabilities who, in addition to being discriminated, are sometimes abused and mistreated. It is a blight on the whole collectivity and needs to be remedied through adequate policies and decisions.
Inclusion enriches the whole community, contributes to authentic and shared social progress, in which persons with disabilities are not considered to be a burden but rather full members of community life, in which they are called to participate with their inborn capacities. »
