CONADIS: Supporting the Equality of Ecuador’s Citizens with Disabilities

The National Council for Disability Equality (CONADIS, acronym in Spanish), an agency of the Federal Government of the Republic of Ecuador, is the leading institution on public policies related to people with disabilities. CONADIS ensures the full validity of human rights of people with disabilities and their families and serves as a national point of reference, insuring that Ecuador’s National Agenda for the Equality of Disabilities is applied throughout the country. CONADIS does all this by formulating, observing, monitoring and evaluating public policies on disabilities at all levels of the government and in the public and private spheres; ensures the full validity of the civil and human rights of people with disabilities and their families and supports people with disabilities in exercising those rights; and protects, promotes, and guarantees respect for the right to equality and nondiscrimination of people with disabilities and their families. CONADIS provides online courses on various topics related to disabilities, including accessible travel, training of social organizations on matters related disabilities, and accessible medical offices and other environments; provides statistics related to various disability related topics; produces videos on topics of interest to people with disabilities; provides contact information for organizations that support people with disabilities in Ecuador; and shares the latest news and publications. Their library shares all of the documents, magazines, and editorials of the Council so that interested parties can keep informed on CONADIS’ activities. CONADIS has offices throughout the country that provide support for people with disabilities and their families.