Unanimous Legislative Change
The Parliament of Catalonia yesterday unanimously approved a new law mandating the use of inclusive and respectful language when referring to people with disabilities. The legislation, which completes its parliamentary process today, updates more than 20 existing legal texts to align with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The law was processed through an urgent single-reading procedure agreed by the chamber in late July 2026. It was drafted by a joint committee and formally supported by all major political groups: PSC-Units, Junts, ERC, PPC, Comuns, and CUP-DT.
Key Linguistic Reforms
The regulation introduces direct amendments to 25 current laws. Among the most significant changes is the formal replacement of the term "disabled persons" with "people with disabilities", reflecting a person-first approach. The term "mental disability" is replaced with "intellectual disability", and the concept of "multiple disabilities" is formally incorporated into legal language. These updates aim to ensure that all official Catalan legislation uses language that is appropriate, inclusive, and precise, in line with international human rights standards.
Commitment to Future Standards
The law includes a final clause requiring that any future legal or regulatory norm must maintain these respectful linguistic criteria. This ensures that inclusive terminology will be a permanent requirement in all forthcoming legislation.
"Words Do Matter," Says Parliament President
During the final plenary debate, speeches were delivered by representatives from all supporting groups, including Guillem Mateos (PSC-Units), Isaac Padrós (Junts), Carles Campuzano (ERC), Montserrat Berenguer (PPC), Andrés Garcia Berrio (Comuns), Pilar Castillejo (CUP-DT), and Rosa Maria Soberana (AC). Rafael Villafranca of Vox also spoke during the session. Representatives from numerous disability sector organisations observed the vote from the public gallery. At the conclusion of the debate, Parliament President Josep Rull addressed them directly.
The Parliament responds to a historic demand of this collective. This is an act of dignity. Words do matter.
, Josep Rull, President of the Parliament of Catalonia
Rull emphasised the pioneering nature of the legislation and its symbolic and practical importance in advancing the rights of people with disabilities in Catalonia.
Sources: Diari de la Discapacitat.
