Alejandro Marichal: “The Department of Social Services is committed to accessibility and inclusion, and meetings like this help to build a more equal and participatory society.”
Francis Candil: “This meeting is now part of the Archipelago's inclusive agenda thanks to the collaboration between administrations, centers and entities”
San Fernando Park in Maspalomas hosted the 3rd Island Meeting on Tuesday to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event once again transformed the municipality into a meeting point for nearly a thousand participants from across Gran Canaria, doubling the number of attendees compared to previous years. More than forty occupational centers, CADI (Centers for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities), educational centers, and social organizations participated in the event, which also featured fourteen stands showcasing organizations, workshops, and projects related to inclusion.
The day began with a welcoming parade and continued with ongoing workshops on creativity, adapted sports, inclusive leisure activities, and other events designed to foster interaction among all participants. The festive atmosphere persisted throughout the morning and culminated in a performance by Canarian artist Pepe Benavente, which was very well received by the attendees.
During the official ceremony, the First Deputy Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Alejandro Marichal, highlighted the remarkable growth the event has experienced since its inception and emphasized that “the Department of Social Services is committed to accessibility and inclusion, and events like this help build a more equal and participatory society.” For his part, the Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana stressed that holding the event in a public space like San Fernando Park reinforces the visibility of disability and fosters coexistence. He also noted that the municipality has the necessary infrastructure and coordination capacity to host events of this magnitude and continue promoting inclusive initiatives in collaboration with the participating organizations and government bodies.
The event also included the reading of the manifesto, which was delivered by Iram Morales Cabrera of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Occupational Center. The text emphasized the importance of moving towards true universal accessibility, guaranteeing more job opportunities for people with disabilities, strengthening their full participation in the community, and recognizing the work of families, caregivers, and professionals. Furthermore, it stressed the need to reinforce early intervention and coordination between government agencies to ensure comprehensive care tailored to each individual's needs.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare of the Canary Islands Government, Francis Candil, emphasized that this meeting “is now part of the archipelago’s inclusive agenda,” noting that collaboration between administrations, centers, and organizations makes it possible to showcase the work carried out throughout the year. Likewise, the Managing Director of the Institute of Social and Healthcare Services of the Gran Canaria Island Council, José Ricardo Redondas, praised “the festive nature of the meeting and its ability to bring together people from all the municipalities,” reminding everyone that inclusion is also built in everyday life: in leisure spaces, in work environments, and in daily interactions.
An organizational model that adds up and grows
The event, organized by the Department of Social Services in collaboration with ISCAN Servicios Integrales and other organizations specializing in disability services, highlighted the positive reception of the new location in San Fernando Park. “The space and the proximity of resources facilitated the event, to the point that we are considering keeping this location for future editions,” said Juan José Domínguez, managing director of ISCAN. He also noted that the project began four years ago with the aim of making International Day of Persons with Disabilities an island-wide celebration, and that its current growth is the result of collaboration between government agencies, professionals, and participating centers.
Singer Pepe Benavente, who closed the day's events, expressed his satisfaction at participating in what he considered a particularly meaningful event. He highlighted the affection and warmth of the audience and affirmed that moments like this represent one of the greatest motivations of his artistic career.
