Canary Islands Disability Assessment Decree

Overview

The Canary Islands government has approved a comprehensive decree outlining new procedures for assessing and recognizing the disability status of residents. This legislation aligns with Spain's broader regulatory framework, including the recent Royal Decree 888/2022, and aims to streamline and standardize the evaluation process across the archipelago, particularly catering to its insular geography.

Key Features of the Decree

• Establishes specialized multidisciplinary teams responsible for evaluating disability claims, which will operate on each island.
• Promotes collaboration with local authorities and professional associations.
• Introduces clearer criteria and timelines for the recognition of various medical and psychological conditions.
• Prioritizes urgent cases such as severe health risks, minors, or social vulnerabilities.

Administrative Improvements

• Simplifies administrative procedures.
• Reduces delayed resolutions, which sometimes exceed six months.
• Incorporates telematic and remote assessments when appropriate—adaptive to the geographic challenges of the Canary Islands.
• Formalizes processes for revising disability levels.
• Includes specific provisions for individuals with serious illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, or certain cancers.

Impact and Purpose

This update is crucial for residents seeking quicker access to social benefits, health services, and mobility aids. It emphasizes:

• Safety
• Transparency
• Fairness in the recognition process.

It aims to ensure equal treatment for all, regardless of island, by creating a more efficient, accessible, and equitable framework for disability assessment and support.