For about 15 years, I was active at the National Disability Observatory established by the Ministry of Welfare, and I must say that I found it very frustrating to work on the “restructuring plan” that never came into effect in those 15 years.
Finally, the Ministry of Disability was established, and in 2022, Alessandra Locatelli, the new Minister, began a remarkable tour, visiting numerous associations across the country, accumulating a wealth of experience, and gathering the needs of the system.
She organised Expo Aid in 2023, where numerous organisations had the opportunity for the first time to present their activities to the world, and for the first time globally, the needs of people with disabilities were discussed during the G7 summit, which resulted in the universally accepted “Sorfagnano Charter.”
In January 2024, all of us working in the diverse field of disability finally saw the passage of Law 62/24, which provides for a comprehensive overhaul of the disability system. This overhaul began with pilot programmes in 9 provinces in 2025, gradually expanding to the current 40 provinces of Italy, with nationwide implementation to be completed by the end of 2026.
But why is Law 62/24 so important? Until now, in provinces where it is not yet in effect, a person with a significant disability – such as cerebral palsy, autism, multiple sclerosis, or other irreversible conditions – had to undergo numerous medical examinations throughout their life:
- To obtain certification valid for healthcare
- For disability benefits
- For assessment of school placement
- For employment placement when possible
- For a driver’s license
- For insurance
- For periodic renewals of expired documents.
Dozens of visits throughout one’s life, conducted by medical staff who were not always competent.
Today, starting with the provinces where the system is already active and gradually rolling out across all of Italy by the end of the year, a single visit and the resulting certification – once in a lifetime – gives you everything you need. An easier life for everyone – people with disabilities and their families, as well as professionals in the disability sector who often had to interpret imprecise, if not contradictory, certifications!
Is everything solved? Obviously not: much remains to be done to achieve independent living, to ensure our future, and to achieve truly effective inclusion, but the start is certainly a good and encouraging one. We look forward to further discuss these positive structural changes with 200+ disability stakeholders from across the country on June 25-26-27 at the Rimini Expo Aid 26.
About the author: Gaetano Santonicito is member of the COFACE Administrative Council and COFACE Disability platform. For 30 years he has been on the board of AIAS in Italy
(service provider of health therapies to peoples with disabilities) and for 15 years has been in the “Observatory of peoples with disabilities” at the Italian Ministry of social affairs.
**DISCLAIMER: All opinions in this article reflect the views of the author, not necessarily of COFACE Families Europe**
