National Accessibility Plan approved in Peru
On August 8, 2018, the government of Peru approved the National Accessibility Plan 2018 – 2023 via a Supreme Decree after six years of anticipation by persons with disabilities.
The approval of the National Accessibility Plan is the outcome of the lobbying of the Disability and Rights Workgroup within the National Human Rights Coordination, led by Paz y Esperanza, local partner of CBM in Peru, who took part for a year and a half in the multidisciplinary workgroup discussions commissioned by the Housing, Building and Sanitation Ministry. Afterwards, the partner took part of the administrative spaces in order to align the plan to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Sustainable Development Goals and the General Law for the Persons with Disability, Law 29973 from Peru.
It is worth mentioning that the Disability and Rights Workgroup from the National Human Rights Coordination is an independent entity for lobbying between the civil society and the Estate, formed by 16 organizations, 10 of them are national representative organizations of persons with disability, therefore having persons with disability leading the political incidence initiative. It is noteworthy to point the efforts and openness of public authorities from the National Direction of Accessibility and Technological Development from the Housing, Building and Sanitation Ministry, especially by Luis Alberto Aranibar Medina for the willingness to foster joint efforts with the civil society.
Historical milestone
The approval of the National Accessibility Plan represents a significant milestone as it seals the commitment of the Peruvian Government to the implementation of actions and policies for the improvement of cities infrastructure and equipment. The Plan establishes the adequate requirements for the access of persons with disability to their environment, transportation, information and communication by equal conditions as the norm and not the exception.
The National Accessibility Plan is the leading tool for the standardization of guidelines in Peru. Almost a third of the total population of Peru (approximately 10.3 million people) will benefit, directly or indirectly, by new measures on accessibility.
Challenges ahead
Nowadays, the challenge is the implementation of the Plan, which requires the coordination with all involved stakeholders, including representatives from: the Presidency of the Ministers Council, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Work and Promotion of Jobs, Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion, Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Population, National Council of Disability and other organizations.
CBM local partners will keep advocating for the implementation of the plan in order to improve the quality of life of persons with disability.
To read the full decree, follow the next link: Decreto Supremo