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Puerto Rico hearing backs registry and accessible outdoor gyms but officials warn funding, staffing gaps
Summary
A House commission heard testimony on two companion bills to create a municipal registry of barrier‑free parks and require public outdoor gyms to be accessible. Defensoría and the Department of Recreation and Sports said they support the goals but warned the measures lack dedicated funding and will require staff and technology investments.
The House Commission on Recreation and Sport on Feb. 25 heard advocates and agency officials endorse two bills that would map and certify barrier‑free recreational facilities across Puerto Rico and require publicly funded outdoor gyms to guarantee access for people with disabilities.
The measures under consideration — Proyecto de la Cámara 181, which would create a special registry of barrier‑free parks and sports facilities by municipality, and Proyecto de la Cámara 238, which would require equality of sports opportunities and accessible outdoor gym equipment — draw broad support from disability advocates, Paralympic and sport federations, and the Department of Recreation and Sports (DRD). But witnesses including the Defensoría de las Personas con Impedimento (DPI) and DRD told the commission the bills, as written, do not identify the funds or staff needed to implement inspections, a central database and a public information campaign.
"La sana administración pública exige que esta medida venga acompañada con su correspondiente asignación de fondos," said Juan José Troche Villeneuve, interim defensor of the Defensoría…
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