Lanzarote’s Council has wrapped up its ‘Saltamos las Barreras’ project, aimed at supporting students with diverse functional abilities. This initiative, which ran throughout the 2025-2026 academic year, has played a crucial role in promoting social inclusion and health.
The closing event took place at the Insular Centre for Wellbeing and Social Inclusion in Puerto del Carmen, bringing together students from Enclave Classrooms, Special Education Centres, and mainstream schools, alongside their families and professionals.
Over its thirteen years, the initiative has involved collaboration among educational communities, bolstered this year by a budget of €72,000 from the Council. This funding directly benefited 205 children and young adults across the island with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. The project aims to address historical exclusion in classrooms and the educational gap faced by these students, particularly in Enclave Classrooms where physical education is often absent from the curriculum.
Council President Oswaldo Betancort underscored the project’s social importance, stating that “sport is a fundamental right for all students.” He noted that it not only enhances health but also embodies key values like solidarity and respect for individual differences in an inclusive society.
Education Councillor Ascensión Toledo emphasised the need for continuous institutional cooperation with the community, highlighting that “physical education is essential for unlocking young people’s motor potential, fostering a more accessible environment through teamwork with schools and families.”
Social Welfare Councillor Marci Acuña added that the programme significantly benefits families, providing both essential respite and emotional support for caregivers. He reiterated the Council’s commitment to support policies that enhance autonomy, equal opportunities, and quality of life for people with disabilities in Lanzarote.
The programme included various age-appropriate activities, delivered in safe environments with the help of ten qualified professionals, in coordination with teachers and volunteers. Offering free sessions during school and after-hours, activities ranged from adapted swimming and psychomotricity to inclusive sports and fitness training.
By focusing on play, the project fosters personal autonomy, self-esteem, and socialisation among young people, backed by audiovisual materials highlighting the collaborative efforts of educational institutions, families, and the Council.
