Families in Orihuela Costa have once again been effectively excluded from a council programme intended to support children with disabilities and additional needs.
Orihuela Council’s Department of Family Affairs has announced the third edition of Elefantes de Papel, describing it as an inclusive leisure programme for families across the municipality.
However, all 19 sessions will take place at the María Moliner Municipal Library in Orihuela city—almost 30 kilometres from the coast. No equivalent activities have been announced for Orihuela Costa.
For coastal families, particularly those caring for children with mobility difficulties, sensory conditions or complex support needs, travelling regularly into Orihuela city may be difficult or impossible.
The journey requires access to a private vehicle or reliance on limited public transport, while families must also contend with travel times, traffic and the practical challenges of transporting children who may need adapted facilities or specialist assistance.
Despite Orihuela Costa accounting for a substantial proportion of the municipality’s population, Family Affairs councillor María del Carmen Portugal has not announced a coastal venue, transport assistance or separate programme for local children.
The council says Elefantes de Papel was established three years ago after recognising a need among families with disabled members. Portugal has also said its continuation demonstrates that the need remains.
Yet the decision to hold every session in Orihuela city means many of the families most in need of support will be unable to participate.
Inclusion—But Only in Orihuela City
This year’s programme includes a project entitled Body, Senses and Inclusion, combining physical movement, sensory stimulation, cooperative play and family interaction in an adapted environment.
The councillor said every child would be able to participate according to their individual abilities and needs. That promise of inclusion, however, offers little comfort to children who cannot reach the venue.
Elefantes de Papel has previously been recognised as an example of good practice by the European Network of Family-Friendly Municipalities. Nevertheless, a genuinely municipality-wide programme should be accessible to families living on the coast as well as those close to Orihuela city.
Regular sessions will be held on Fridays from 6pm until 7.30pm between September 4 and December 18, excluding October 9. Four additional Saturday sessions are planned for September 26, October 31, November 28 and December 19.
Only ten families will be admitted, with places allocated in order of application.
The restricted capacity and city-centre location raise further questions about how many of Orihuela’s families the programme can realistically support.
For Orihuela Costa parents, this is another example of municipal services being announced for the whole municipality while being delivered exclusively in the city.
If the Department of Family Affairs is serious about inclusion, it must provide sessions in Orihuela Costa or offer practical transport assistance. Children with disabilities should not be penalised simply because their families live nearly 30 kilometres from Orihuela city.
