The National Disability Agency rejected the opposition's bill on benefits and pensions.
This Wednesday, representatives from different blocs in the Chamber of Deputies moved forward with the declaration of a disability emergency, aiming to improve benefits and access to pensions for people with disabilities. However, the National Disability Agency (ANDIS) rejected this bill, arguing that it is a regressive initiative that does not respond to the real needs for inclusion and autonomy in the sector.
In an official statement, ANDIS strongly rejected the project , emphasizing that this proposal relies on a welfare model that has already failed in the past. They also emphasized that the project "postpones true inclusion" and does not respond to the needs of people with disabilities, who do not seek passive assistance , but rather public policies that promote their full integration into society.
ANDIS recalled that the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities promotes a social model that favors independent living. This approach seeks to eliminate barriers that perpetuate inequalities and guarantee full participation in all areas, from work to education. In this regard, the organization emphasized that people with disabilities do not need permanent financial assistance, but rather measures that allow them to develop with autonomy and dignity.
The statement also criticized the previous government's policies, noting that the deterioration of pensions during that administration affected the purchasing power of people with disabilities. In contrast, the current government, according to ANDIS, has initiated a pension audit, which is considered essential to recovering genuine resources and allocating them to those who truly need them.
Meanwhile, in Congress, representatives have presented a bill declaring a state of emergency in the sector until December 2027. The initiative includes updating the funds received by service providers and improving the efficiency of pensions. According to the head of the Disability Commission, Daniel Arroyo, this update is crucial, as salaries for workers with disabilities have not been modified since 2023, which has led to growing inequality.
Arroyo also highlighted that the auditing process carried out by ANDIS is not sufficiently efficient, noting that some doctors issue above-average certificates without a proper assessment of the situation. The congressman also mentioned that, in the last 14 months, only 586 pensions out of the 500,000 pending applications were granted.
Before the Congressional session, various organizations representing people with disabilities held demonstrations in several cities across the country. Demonstrations took place in the Federal Capital, Córdoba, Río Cuarto, Santa Fe, Mendoza, and Neuquén, demanding the declaration of a disability emergency.
Through a collective video, the organizers expressed that this law is key to fulfilling Argentina's commitments under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities . Among their main demands, they highlighted the recognition and strengthening of the basic benefits system and adequate funding for ANDIS .
The discussion on updating disability funding remains a complex issue involving differing views on the inclusion model and the autonomy of people with disabilities. However, ANDIS's rejection of the opposition bill highlights the importance of moving toward a model that prioritizes the rights and dignity of this group.
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