By Louise Calderan

Roughly ten percent of the population in Latin America faces some form of disability. However, this population should not also have to face economic, social and political exclusion. Including persons with disabilities in development policies and projects has been largely justified on human rights grounds. However, the economic and social benefits have been underplayed while, though they are equally substantial.

Frequently, the rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities in Brazil are provided in a disconnected and non-systematic way. The services vary according to the specific conditions of each region and depend highly on the initiative of the persons with disabilities and their families. Families struggle for assistance, but sometimes children with disabilities in some regions do not receive the appropriate education and/or medical care. Usually, in Brazil, Special Schools are the only available option for children with severe developmental disabilities; most of them are private non-profit institutions. And, not too long ago, their major goals were essentially to provide daily care and social assistance rather than pedagogical activities. Moreover, most of those special education programs have no age limitation for providing services; therefore, they may assist children and adults as well. However, some interdisciplinary approaches to rehabilitation are found in a small number of rehabilitation centers in some of the larger cities of the country.

The public policies on Special Education have been changing in the country due to the growing debate on integration of children with special needs in the regular school system. Especially in Paran‡, where new guidelines for inclusion have recently been established, reflecting the worldwide movement for inclusive schools.

I had the good fortune to be able to visit Brazil in December (the beginning of their summer). I was finally able to meet my husband's family and relatives after 5 years of marriage. (I was certainly a fish out of water and can now relate to how my husband felt when arriving in the United States.)

While there, I made it a point to visit the local vocational rehabilitation center while visiting the small city of Piracicaba in the State of S‡o Paulo (about two hours west of the city of S‡o Paulo). I was prompted to do so not only out of curiosity, but because I happened upon a small retail store at the local indoor mall which sold crafts made by the clients of local rehab centers throughout the state.

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With a variety of crafts lining the shelves, I had my husband translate as the store vendor explained that the students at Centro de Reabilitacao Piricicaba made these crafts. Intrigued and wanting to learn more, I paid a surprise visit to the local rehabilitation center (Centro de Reabilitacao Piracicaba). I learned that the rehab center was mainly for children with disabilities. Each child was classed at a certain level of competence. Then the children were put to the task of making crafts. Each class performs work on one aspect of the whole process of completing a project. For those at the center, craft making is an integral part of the rehabilitative process.

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Located adjacent to the center was another retail store showcasing more crafts for sale. It is here that the rehab students are able to learn aspects of running a business, customer service, and money handling, in order to prepare them for work when they leave the center. The project for these craft sales is called Artesania.

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One day, while taking a different entrance into the mall, I happened upon a stand-alone TTY phone. I was heartened to know that this community was keeping people with disabilities in the forefront of their minds. Overall, my observation was that this city operated much like cities and towns here in the US. Of course, as with any country, there are obstacles yet to be overcome and a good amount of barriers that still exist, but as the country continues to grow and work towards a financial and political independence, it is also considering the needs of individuals with disabilities.

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While there, I also paid a visit to the Associacao de Pais E Amigos dos Excepcionais (Parents and Friends of the Disabled), a center for the deaf and hard of hearing, or so I was told. It appeared as though the facility was locked and although I could hear activity inside, no one came to the door. I was unable to locate a center for the blind but understood there was a facility in town.

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Though the signs of progress are evident, the one concern voiced to me while I was there centered on the government's lack of support to older, disabled citizens. There is virtually no support at all, neither monetary nor medical. Though the parents of a disabled child receive a small stipend of support, which ceases when the child becomes an adult, the financial burden is primarily left to the family and the individual.

Brazil is both a country of progress and turmoil. As many residents struggle to find ways to support themselves and their families, others struggle to ensure the indelible rights of those individuals. I believe that through political and economic stability, Brazil will eventually be able to provide all its citizens, particularly those with disabilities, with humane and just opportunities through proper education and rehabilitation.

Editor's Note

An interesting article that relates to a blind woman's experience in Brazil can be found at the following link:

http://www.miusa.org/general/publications/Stories/decker.html