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https://www.casareal.es/ES/Actividade…

Queen Letizia presided over the meeting of the Royal Board of Trustees and subsequently presented the “Queen Letizia” National Disability Awards.

Upon her arrival at the State Reference Center for the Care of People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, Her Majesty the Queen was received by the President of the Regional Government of Castile and León, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco; the Minister of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda, Pablo Bustinduy; the Government Delegate in the Region of Castile and León, Nicanor Sen; the Mayor of Salamanca, Carlos Manuel García; and the Secretary of State for Social Rights and Secretary General of the Royal Board of Trustees on Disability, María Rosa Martínez. The Director General for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Director of the Royal Board on Disability, Jesús Martín Blanco, and the Director of the State Reference Center for the Care of People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, María Isabel Cano, were present.

After the greetings, Queen Letizia, accompanied by the authorities, entered the Training Room and took her place at the table where the meeting was held. During the meeting, the 2024 Activity Report and the 2025 Annual Operating Plan were approved, and new initiatives regarding communication and support for people with disabilities in emergency situations were presented.
At the end of the meeting, Her Majesty the Queen proceeded to the auditorium of the State Reference Center for the Care of People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, where the awards ceremony took place. The event was attended by national and regional authorities, representatives of social organizations, and members of the disability rights movement. Before the ceremony began, the Fermín Gurbido Choir, composed of blind and severely visually impaired individuals, performed Dani Martín’s song “Qué bonita vida.” The choir collaborates on musical research projects (participating in a project using tactile scores) and also works with theater companies and associations on activities and events related to disability.

The Queen Letizia National Disability Awards recognize projects and achievements that contribute to inclusion, equality, and the defense of the rights of people with disabilities. This year’s recipients were:

• The Cartagena City Council in the Accessibility in Municipalities category. Mayor Noelia Arroyo accepted the award.

• The Spanish Mental Health Confederation in the Human Rights Defense category. The award was accepted by the Confederation’s president, Nel Anxelu González Zapico, and its vice president, Basilio García Copín.

• The Danza Down Association in the Inclusive Culture category. The award was accepted by the project creator’s sister, Asunción Lafuente.

• The project “Accessible Interaction Between People and Electronic Devices” won in the Research category. The award was accepted by Ana María Iglesias Maqueda, the project director.

• The Fundación Obra Social y Monte de Piedad de Madrid won with the project “Educating Without Barriers from the Cradle” in the Inclusive Education category. The award was accepted by the Foundation’s president, Jesús Núñez Velázquez.

• The Asociación Española de Empleo con Apoyo (Spanish Association for Supported Employment) won in the Labor Inclusion category. The award was accepted by the Association’s president, Alfonso Gutiérrez Caballero, and a member of the Association, Carmen Laguna.

• The Fundación También won with the project “Inclusive Schools” in the Inclusive Sports category. The award was accepted by Teresa Silva Fernández, the Foundation’s president.

• • The “RUN FOR YOU Athletics Without Labels” Foundation received a Special Jury Mention, which was accepted by the Foundation’s president, Carmen Giménez Abad.

• In the Gender Equality category, Ana Peláez Narváez was recognized.

At the end of the ceremony, Her Majesty the Queen addressed the award winners and attendees, followed by a performance by the Fermín Gurbido Choir, who sang “Girasoles” by Rozalén, thus concluding the event.

Institutional Commitment
With these awards, the Royal Board on Disability reaffirms its commitment to the full social participation of people with disabilities, promoting equal opportunities and recognizing the efforts of institutions, associations, and individuals who work every day for a more inclusive society.