The Ombudsman's Office, through its Veraguas Regional Office, conducted a monitoring tour in the Santiago district, supervising spaces designated for people with disabilities and promoting respect for their human rights. The objective of this initiative was to verify compliance with regulations regarding the use of parking lots and ramps for people with disabilities, foster accessibility and inclusion, and raise awareness about the importance of respecting these spaces through direct observation and institutional support. Nationally, Veraguas ranks seventh in the population of people with disabilities, being the second among central provinces, only surpassed by Coclé. The activity was carried out in conjunction with the National Secretariat for Disability (Senadis) and the Transit and Land Transport Authority (ATTT), which, along with the Ombudsman's Office, provided guidance to the public on the proper use of reserved parking spaces and ramps. Among the main types of identified disabilities are visceral or organ and system deficiencies, followed by mobility or physical disabilities, intellectual, visual, communication, mental, and, to a lesser extent, hearing disabilities. The second national disability survey (Endis-2) revealed that 781,478 people live with some type of disability in Panama, representing 18% of the population; that is, one in six people.
Monitoring of Disability Rights in Santiago
Panama's Ombudsman's Office monitored compliance with accessibility standards for people with disabilities in Santiago, collaborating with government agencies to raise awareness.
