This study on the prevalence of disability in the working-age adult population (EPDA) in Portugal aims to conduct an unprecedented and updated national study on the prevalence and sociodemographic characterization of the working-age adult population with disabilities or impairments in Portugal. This is a fundamental initiative to address serious and persistent gaps in the production of statistical data on disability, which is essential for the design of effective and evidence-based public policies. Since 2001, national censuses have stopped collecting direct data on disability, replacing this variable with the notion of “functional incapacity,” in line with the approach proposed by the Washington Group on Disability Statistics. Although closer to the biopsychosocial models of disability, this methodology has significant limitations in accurately estimating the universe of persons with disabilities and/or incapacities (PCDI) in Portugal, especially in certain types (e.g., intellectual or developmental disabilities ). In addition, the available administrative data, such as Multi-purpose Medical Certificates of Disability (AMIM), are not reliable as a source of prevalence, given their restrictive nature, lack of computerization, and dispersion. In the absence of an updated national prevalence study, this operation proposes the construction of a robust, rigorous, and up-to-date knowledge base, based on a mixed methodology that combines a structured questionnaire survey with in-depth qualitative interviews . The study is aligned with Axis 8 of the National Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2025 — “Knowledge, research, innovation, and development” — and directly responds to several of its strategic objectives, in particular the strengthening technical and scientific knowledge about disability, as well as improving the use of statistical and administrative data to support policy-making. The study is also linked to the objectives of the 2021–2027 Partnership Agreement and the Portugal 2030 Strategy, falling within the priority thematic area of education, training, employment, and social inclusion, and contributing to the goals of the European Pillar of Social Rights . It thus supports the implementation of the European Union's Cohesion Policy by producing knowledge that promotes equality, territorial cohesion, and the inclusion of vulnerable groups. The study has the following objectives: 1. To operationalize the concept of disability for statistical application, in line with current national and international benchmarks; 2. To determine the prevalence and territorial distribution of the working-age adult population with disabilities and/or incapacities; 3. To characterize this population sociodemographically (age, gender, education, professional status, among others); 4. To deepen knowledge about living conditions, with an emphasis on income, family and institutional support; 5. To improve the use of statistical information and administrative sources; 6. To inform public policies, promoting strategies for inclusion and equal opportunities.

Research team:

José Miguel Nogueira (coord.); Paulo Pedroso; Alexandre Calado; Filipa Seiceira; Tatiana Alves; Paulo Marcos.

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With the objective to increase the research activity directed towards the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the possibility of associating scientific projects with the Sustainable Development Goals is now available in Ciência_Iscte. These are the Sustainable Development Goals identified for this project. For more detailed information on the Sustainable Development Goals, click here.