The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA)along with the Morpho Independent Life Center and the Information Committee of the Organizations for Disabled People (COINDIS) organize the II International Seminar for the disabled population under the slogan “Building alliances for the future”.

During two days’ participants, will be able to share and reinforce their knowledge with talks, round – tables, expos, forums and group work about this important topic. In addition to learning about the history and philosophy of the project Independent Life in Costa Rica, and the road that the country has had to travel to have the first Center of this kind, considered the best in the region.

Members of the Morpho Independent Life Center have had the support of JICA and the Mainstream Association; Japanese institutions that have provided them with support and training since 2012.

The seminar will take place November 18 and 19 at the Talamanca Hotel in San Jose, with the objective of sharing the experiences of the work done by the Independent Life Centers in Japan and the U.S.A., pioneer countries in this topic, with the hopes of applying these successful strategies in Latin America. Another goal of the seminar is to create a solid regional network that works together in the strengthening of the independent life philosophy among Latin American countries. The event will see the participation of more than 70 leaders of Latin America, Japan and the United States.

Costa Rica became the first country in the region in signing a law that guarantees the quality of life and autonomy of the people with disabilities, under the figure of a personal assistant. Among the benefits of this law it’s important to highlight:

• The right to personal autonomy, described by the law as “the right of every person with disability to construct his/her own life project, in an independent way, controlling, facing, taking and executing his/her own decisions in the public and private fields”. As well as their right to be owners, inherit assets and goods, control their own financial matters such as having access to bank loans and mortgage loans.

• The second is the figure of the personal assistant, that has the objective of collaborating with the right of personal autonomy of the disabled population, in exchange for a compensation (pay). Part of the P.A.’s job is to serve as the support for them to be able to carry out their basic everyday life activities.