The Portuguese Association of People with Special Needs – Associação Sem Limites – in partnership with the Portuguese Association of the Disabled of Madeira, has issued a statement in which it criticises the 2021 Censuses, stating that “among several issues, they have particular concerns on the section relating to disability.”
Filipe Rebelo, of the Portuguese Association of the Disabled of Madeira, stated: “This statistical analysis tool is essential for us to gauge the number of citizens who suffer from disabilities, as well as providing information on type, age, and financial considerations. However, once again the questions are very vague and do not address disability directly, therefore compromising what could be valuable information”. The association argues that, ‘the competent entities did not seek advice about what questions should be asked and that the money used to draft the census has been misused and despite having 20 years of data available, the associations have been ignored yet again!”
Of course the question ‘Can you read and write’ is slightly superfluous when completing the online application, as if you can’t, you wouldn’t have been able to log in, in the first place!
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
