The defense of the rights, quality of life, autonomy and inclusion of persons with disabilities cannot be confined to pointing out the day-to-day obstacles. There must be debate at all levels of society, if viable solutions are to be found.
With this aim, AVAPE maintains institutional representation at the local, state and federal levels, participating in Councils on Policies and Rights and in forums with Brazilian and international institutions.
This is how it maintains interchange with Brazilian and international entities considered benchmarks in policies and matters relating to persons with disabilities, so as to contribute to building a society that is aware of the dignity and rights of this segment, which today accounts for around 27 million Brazilians.
 

Participation in decision-making and public policy control bodies
 

• The National Council for Social Assistance - CNAS
• The Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents of Santo André - CMDCA-SA
• The Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents of São Bernardo do Campo - CDCA-SBC
• The State Council for Social Assistance - CONSEAS
• The State Council for Matters involving Persons with Disabilities - CEAPcD
• The Santo André Municipal Council for Persons with Disabilities - COMDEF-SA
• The Santo André Municipal Council for Social Assistance - CMAS-SA
• The São Bernardo do Campo Municipal Council for Social Assistance - CMAS-SBC.

Participation in Forums

• The “Greater ABC for Everyone” Movement - MGABC.
Brings together all the municipal councils for Persons with Disabilities, entities and persons with disability movements in the Greater ABC region.
• Municipal Forums on Social Assistance, Children and Adolescents and Persons with Disabilities.

Participation in Institutions with Political Representation

• The National Organization of the Blind in Brazil – Coordination of the Communication Committee
• REBRATES – Brazilian Network of Philanthropic Charitable Entities. Aims to bring together philanthropic charitable entities for the purpose of representing them before government and private institutions in the search for common objectives and those of each associate.
• Regional Executive Chamber for Sustainable Development of the Greater ABC Region
• Federation of Charitable Entities of Santo André - FEASA
• Intermunicipal Consortium of the Greater ABC Region
• Union of Philanthropic and Religious Charitable Institutions on the State of São Paulo - SINBFIR