Initiatives

Allies without Barriers: The Road to a More Inclusive Society

Aliados por la Integración is an entity that wants to promote a truly inclusive society, in which people with disabilities are not only assisted, but can fully develop their potential.

Eduardo Rodriguez-July 21, 2025-Reading time: 5 minutes
Allies for Integration

Worker at a special employment service center

In Spain, more than 4.38 million people live with some type of disability. disabilityThe social inclusion of people with disabilities, representing a significant part of our society, continues to face important challenges for their full inclusion. Despite legislative advances and the notable increase in public investment in universal accessibility policies, true social transformation requires a deeper and more generalized commitment, involving a strategic decision based on the recognition of the value of diversity. 

On this path towards a more inclusive society, entities such as Allies for Integration do their bit by generating job opportunities through the provision of services to companies and institutions. These organizations act as bridges between people in vulnerable situations and a labor market that still presents significant barriers, demonstrating that inclusion through employment is the best way to promote equal opportunities and build a fairer and more egalitarian society.

"The collective challenge we face is to profoundly transform our perception of disability, moving from a welfare model to one based on rights and opportunities, where each person can fully develop their potential and actively contribute to the construction of a society richer in diversity," explains Almudena Fontecha, president of Aliados por la Integración.

Reality in figures: a panorama of contrasts

Statistics reveal a reality that still requires important transformations. According to the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics, the employment rate of people with disabilities stands at just 27.8 %, a gulf compared to 68.1 % for the non-disabled population. This difference of more than 40 percentage points reflects the structural barriers that persist in our society. When we focus specifically on people with intellectual disabilities, the situation is even more worrisome, with only 23.8 % in employment.

"These data are not mere numbers; they represent lives and dreams postponed, talents wasted and a human potential that our society is not knowing how to fully integrate," says Almudena Fontecha.

In addition, one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome is prejudice and lack of knowledge. A recent study reveals that 43 % of Spaniards admit to feeling some discomfort when interacting with people with disabilities, mainly for fear of saying or doing something inappropriate. 

Even more revealing is that 63 % of respondents acknowledge "not being able to avoid" treating people with intellectual disabilities as if they were children, an infantilization that constitutes a subtle but real form of discrimination. In addition, 75 % state that they have never had a co-worker with a disability, which reinforces the lack of knowledge and the persistence of stereotypes.

Allies for Integration: more than two decades building bridges

In this context, organizations such as Aliados por la Integración play a transforming role. This entity has been promoting the social and labor inclusion of the most vulnerable people, including people with disabilities, for more than 20 years. Its mission is based on a clear principle: inclusion through employment is the best way to promote equal opportunities.

Aliados por la Integración develops its work through collaboration with different social entities, companies and administrations, generating job opportunities through the provision of different services. This model of strategic alliances allows multiplying the impact of its actions and creating a favorable ecosystem for inclusion.

The Special Employment Center that is part of the project is a key piece in its strategy to specifically address the labor inclusion of people with disabilities. Through this resource, they facilitate the transition to the labor market and generate spaces where diversity becomes an added value.

But inclusion is part of the entire Aliados support network. An outstanding area where it generates inclusion is the Religious Institutions sector, where it has become a national reference with presence in 116 centers that serve more than 2,000 users, collaborating with 57 religious institutions between bishoprics and congregations of different charismas. Through social and health care services for the elderly (geriatric nurses, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, etc.), general services (cleaning, maintenance, kitchen) and administrative management, the entity not only optimizes resources but also creates job opportunities for people in vulnerable situations, always respecting the charisma of each institution.

As Carlos Buerba, director of the Religious Institutions Area, points out: "We are not just an entity empowered to provide services in the social sphere. Our success lies in the fact that we adapt to the circumstances of each congregation and get involved in resolving the common challenges we face, but above all in fulfilling the social mission that gives meaning to everything we do, which is none other than helping people who, like everyone else, deserve the opportunity and know how to take advantage of it, to build their life project". 

The value of diversity: an incalculable contribution

The inclusion of people with disabilities is not only an act of social justice, but also an opportunity to enrich our coexistence and work spaces. The experience of Aliados por la Integración confirms that companies and entities that bet on diversity experience tangible improvements: greater communication in teams, more positive work environments, a boost to creativity and innovation, and increased productivity.

Beyond the workplace, the presence and active participation of people with disabilities in all social spaces contributes to building a more empathetic society, aware of human diversity and better prepared to respond to the needs of all its members.

Disability on the horizon: a collective challenge 

Disability is not an alien or distant reality, but a condition that will become a more intense part of our lives in the coming decades. The accelerated population aging that Spain is experiencing is closely linked to the increase in situations of disability. According to INE demographic projections, by 2050 more than 30 % of the Spanish population will be over 65 years of age, which will mean a significant increase in the number of people with age-related functional limitations.

This imminent reality places us before a scenario in which disability will cease to be perceived as a circumstance that affects "others" and will become an experience shared by a substantial part of society. The data are revealing: while at 65 years of age approximately 20 % of people have some kind of disability, this percentage rises to 70 % among those over 85 years of age. With life expectancy continuing to rise - currently 83.3 years and expected to reach 86 years in 2050 - we face a future where disability will be an increasingly present reality.

This demographic scenario requires coordinated and common action on the part of society as a whole. According to Almudena Fontecha, "we can no longer consider the inclusion of people with disabilities as the exclusive responsibility of public administrations or specialized third-sector entities. A social pact involving all agents is essential: from education to business, from the media to cultural and leisure spaces. Universal accessibility and design for all must become guiding principles for any urban, technological or service development".

The path towards a fully inclusive society requires the commitment of all social actors. Entities such as Aliados por la Integración demonstrate that it is possible to generate real opportunities for people with disabilities when there is a clear vision and systematic work.

The challenge for the coming years is not only to continue improving access to employment and training, but also to profoundly transform the social perception of disability. We need to move from an approach based on compassion or heroism to one based on the recognition of diversity as a value and rights as a non-negotiable principle.

The authorEduardo Rodriguez

Allies for Integration

Read more
La Brújula Newsletter Leave us your email and receive every week the latest news curated with a catholic point of view.