The Minister of the Presidency, Interior, Social Dialogue, and Administrative Simplification, Antonio Sanz, presented, alongside the delegate of ONCE in Andalusia, Ceuta, and Melilla, Cristóbal Martínez, the commemorative coupon for 28F featuring the image of the Andalusian Flag waving in the wind in one of the gardens of the San Telmo Palace. In total, five million coupons will be distributed throughout Spain to celebrate Andalusia Day with ONCE.
The Minister wanted to thank ONCE for their work as «a reference in Andalusia and throughout Spain, for promoting the employment development and personal autonomy of people with disabilities and for their contribution to Andalusian society.»
Antonio Sanz stated that the presentation of the commemorative coupon for 28F is «one of those good customs that we must not lose,» and explained that «the relationship between ONCE and Andalusia is very fruitful, allowing us to reinforce the full commitment of the Andalusian Government to the real and effective equality of all Andalusians.»
He also highlighted the alliance between ONCE and the Regional Government, citing examples such as the grants provided by the Ministry of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families, and Equality in the self-financed annual subsidy call for the socio-educational mediation program for people with deafblindness, amounting to 600,000 euros in the last five years, or from the Ministry of Employment, Business, and Self-Employment, with a grant of over two million euros to ‘Inserta Innovación’ to develop a project under the Professional Orientation and Insertion Support Program.
Sanz also emphasized the agreement with the Ministry of Educational Development and Vocational Training to safeguard the educational coverage of the over 1,733 blind or visually impaired students studying in Andalusia at all levels, prior to University.
Furthermore, he highlighted the agreement signed with RTVA, renewed in April 2023 for two years, to carry out actions for the development and enhancement of the integration and social normalization of blind people, visually impaired individuals, low vision, or other types of disabilities.
The Minister of the Presidency emphasized that «Andalusians, like ONCE members, have the courage to overcome all obstacles that prevent us from exercising our autonomy,» and defended that «what we commemorate on February 28 is that today Andalusia is respected and heard, with moderation, tolerance, dialogue, and understanding.»
Antonio Sanz concluded by highlighting ONCE’s inclusive work with people and their daily actions, thanking their leaders for their contribution to making Andalusia better every day.
At the event, the Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of the Presidency, Interior, Social Dialogue, and Administrative Simplification, Tomás Burgos, the Government Delegate of the Junta in Seville, Ricardo Sánchez, and the Director General of Social Protection, Antonio Ismael Huertas.
