The Assembly Hall of the Faculty of Communication at the University of Seville was the setting for one of the most moving and significant presentations at the conference on “Disability and the Media”. Ana Carrasco Pérez, a young volunteer with a disability, took the floor to present the results of the European “Be a Volunteer” programme, demonstrating through her own testimony that, with the right support, there are no barriers to social participation.
As part of the “Disability and the Media” event held yesterday, Thursday 29 January, the Seville Provincial Federation of Associations for People with Physical and Organic Disabilities (COCEMFE Sevilla) presented the final results of the European project “Be a Volunteer”. Before a large audience—including officials, third sector organisations, the media and university students—volunteer Ana Carrasco shared her experience as a key figure in a paradigm shift in inclusive volunteering.
‘Without Emilio, it wouldn’t have been possible’: The key role of personal care
Ana’s speech was not merely a recitation of facts, but a story of overcoming adversity made possible by the role of her personal assistant. Encarnación Barrera, coordinator of COCEMFE Seville’s European programmes, spoke on behalf of Emilio Tortosa de los Reyes, the assistant who supported Ana throughout the process, enabling her to overcome mobility barriers and participate fully in the activities.
Thanks to this vital support, the young woman from Coria del Río was able to enjoy an unprecedented international training experience. Her journey led her to take part in three training courses on volunteering skills in cities as diverse as Sofia (Bulgaria), Sardinia (Italy) and Seville itself. The culmination of this enriching phase took place in Tihany (Hungary), where she took part in an international gathering that brought together 50 volunteers with various disabilities, alongside their educators and assistants.
Ana Carrasco emphatically highlighted the importance of this service: ‘Having a personal assistant has enabled me to live, rather than merely survive. I am grateful that there are people dedicated to providing personal assistance, as this allows people with disabilities to enjoy much greater independence.’
Significant social impact: From being helped to helping others
The “Be a Volunteer” programme has made a tangible impact on the Seville community. One of the most notable figures presented during the event was the direct impact of 12 people with disabilities who, after completing their training, became agents of change.
These volunteers carried out activities in various social organisations, even going so far as to assist other people with disabilities. This milestone definitively breaks with the stigma of the person with a disability as a passive recipient of care, positioning them as a provider of help and solidarity.
In this regard, Encarnación Barrera noted that through this project, “the voices of people with disabilities have been heard more clearly, highlighting their potential and enabling them to participate on an equal footing”. She added that these initiatives foster “greater determination in everyday life” among people with disabilities in Seville and the surrounding province.
An example of true inclusion
Ana Carrasco’s presentation at the Faculty of Communication not only showcased the results of a project funded by the European Union, but also highlighted the need for policies that promote personal autonomy. Carrasco emphasised that projects with an inclusive approach, such as Be A Volunteer, “must continue so that there can be far more opportunities for social interaction between people with and without disabilities”.
The event concluded with a clear message: true inclusion means equipping people with the necessary tools and support – such as personal assistance – so that they can choose their own path and contribute actively to society.
At COCEMFE Seville, we continue to work tirelessly to ensure that cases like Ana Carrasco’s continue to multiply across Seville and the whole of the province. This project is co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme.
