ORIHUELA – The City Council of Orihuela’s Department of Social Welfare hosted a hugely successful Open House Day for the Oriol Occupational Center (C.O. Oriol) and CRISOL today. The event, held under the banner ‘Orihuela Includes: Perspectives that Transform’, gathered nearly 500 people and served as a key commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Attendees were given a first-hand look at the center’s extensively rehabilitated facilities, which suffered severe damage during the devastating DANA storm in 2019.
A New Horizon for Inclusion
Agustina Rodríguez, the Councillor for Social Welfare, opened the ceremony by emphasizing the significance of the date, December 3rd. “It is not just another day on the calendar. It is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a date that invites us to pause, reflect, and, above all, commit,” she stated.
Rodríguez framed the day as a declaration of principles for Orihuela, affirming the city’s commitment to equal opportunities, active participation, and respect for diversity.
“Inclusion is not a one-time gesture or a beautiful word—it is a collective, daily, and courageous construction,” remarked Councillor Rodríguez.
The event celebrated two major milestones:
- The Reopening of C.O. Oriol: The center has returned to its rehabilitated location after years of silence and stagnation caused by the 2019 storm. Rodríguez highlighted the center’s revival as a “new horizon full of possibilities,” achieved through the “effort and commitment” of the current administration after six years of waiting.
- The New CRISOL Headquarters: The day also marked the upcoming relocation of the CRISOL center to a new, modern facility. This move is designed to offer closer and more contemporary care, ensuring greater quality, comfort, and opportunities for its users.
The Voice of Diversity
The official manifesto reading was delivered by young Orihuela resident Javier Simón Pastor, who was named Inclusive Voice 2025.
In his powerful address, Pastor reminded the audience that diversity is a characteristic shared by everyone, stating, “All people are different. Not just those of us who have recognized functional diversity.”
He shared his personal experience, underscoring the constant effort of people with functional diversity who “get up and fight to get ahead like all people.” He concluded with a message of encouragement: “It is not easy; I have had complications, but that is why I tell everyone not to give up.”
Celebratory Performances
Following the manifesto, the new logo for the C.O. Oriol, designed by students from the EASDO art school, was unveiled. The day concluded with vibrant cultural performances, including a drumming session by the Molinet Occupational Center Batucada from Monóvar, and a choreography by the C.O. Oriol group ‘Alma’ in collaboration with the center’s Protocol School.
