THE ALMERIA Federation of Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FAAM) has warned that households in Almeria are struggling to support family members with a disability.
The Adeco Foundation’s Disability and Family Report III stated that there is an average additional expense of €4,800 in therapies and treatments.
The report was presented at a FAAM roundtable session focussing on ‘Children, Dependency and Family’. The event, which was held as part of the organisations wider 30th-anniversary celebrations, sought to highlight the challenges that families face when supporting a disabled loved one and what more could be done by the government.
Attendees heard from families and people affected by disabilities who noted that while social stigma had diminished in recent decades, rural access, as well as costly expenses, make providing support a daunting prospect for the family budget.
Gracia Fernández of Almeria government has noted that the administration has undertaken policy reviews to maintain and improve protections and services for vulnerable citizens. She added that this has “reduced attendance times and almost eliminated waiting lists.”
Reflecting on the report, Valentín Sola, President of FAAM, warned that the report represents a significant issue as not only can 15 percent of households not afford the additional costs, but that in 58 percent of cases only one parent held employment.
FAAM organisation has been supporting the families of people with disabilities in their different stages for three decades, providing training for caregivers, caring for minors and support for the elderly.
