L’Autorità Garante dei diritti delle persone con disabilità

The Regulatory State and the Welfare State are not mutually exclusive concepts. This is demonstrated by the establishment of certain authorities within the social welfare sector. This paper presents a newly instituted guarantor authority for the protection of a particularly vulnerable group: persons with disabilities. This authority is part of a broader reform on disability, aimed at implementing the most advanced European policies and internationally recognized principles. It marks a radical shift in perspective: disability is no longer addressed solely from a medical and welfare standpoint, but rather in relation to society. It is society that must foster the full inclusion of persons with disabilities, ensuring equal opportunities by removing all types of barriers—physical and virtual—thus becoming truly accessible to all. This study aims to explore the features, role, and potential of the Guarantor Authority, define its institutional position, and assess its significance within welfare policies and its interactions with existing bodies.