Interview with founder of Radio program "Overcoming Barriers": strong voice of persons with disabilities
By Luis Fernando Astorga Gatjens, IID (lferag@racsa.co.cr)
Background
In April of 2001, a radio program emerged in Costa Rica and week by week it has expanded its audience, and has become one of the main sites for rallying the defense and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities in Costa Rica.
The program, "Overcoming Barriers", a one hour weekly broadcast, was created by Federico Montero Mejía, a doctor in physical medicine and rehabilitation, who became a wheelchair user after spinal cord injury from a car accident in 1974. From that year on, Dr. Montero has fought many battles at different scenarios working hard for the cause of persons with disabilities. This brief interview portrays the Director and Presenter of Overcoming Barriers as what he really is: a great humane, ethical, political, and social leader in the field of disability.
He has been a long time member of the Costa Rican Association of Persons with Disabilities (Asociación Costarricense de Lisiados, ACL), the first organization of persons with disabilities of this Central American country, established in 1976. He was member and President of the Board of Directors several times.
He was one of the main sponsors of the Costa Rican Law on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (Law 7600). He has also addressed a long list of seminars, round tables, and congresses, both in and outside Costa Rica, promoting equalization of opportunities and defending the rights of persons with disabilities and our inclusion.
His vast production of articles, presentations, radio and television interviews, is not only rich and deep with respect to contemporary issues, but contentious on social activism, which also led him to regularly participate in many public protests and marches to defend human rights and the cause of disability.
Federico Montero, representing the organizations of persons with disabilities, was elected member of the Consejo Nacional de Rehabilitación y Educación Especial (Costa Rican Council of Rehabilitation and Special Education) and became its President in December 2001.
He is also the founding member of the Foro por los Derechos Humanos de las Personas con Discapacidad (Human Rights Forum of Persons with Disabilities), established on December 2000, and is presently member of its Board of Directors).
Federico Montero is a member of the International Society of Paraplegia, Regional Vice-president of Rehabilitation International and of the Pan-American Health Organization of the World Health Organization.
We met with him during a rainy afternoons in September, to learn more about the Overcoming Barriers program:
Disability World: How and why did you start the "Overcoming Barriers" radio program?
Federico Montero Mejía: I had participated in radio programs before and always felt very comfortable. When the Radio Network "Grupo Reloj" (Radio Reloj, is one of the largest of the traditional radio stations and of the most consolidated audiences in Costa Rica), launched its sister radio station "Opine F.M.", as an interactive broadcast station, I thought that a radio program on disability issues would fit perfectly. I then designed a project proposal and presented it to the Director and the Production Manager of the Grupo Reloj. They gave us a positive and immediate response with all of their support, which has been of great value for the development and maintaining the program.
Then, Opine FM suspended its broadcasts and our program continued at Radio Reloj. Here we must mention the important advice and support from Radio Netherlands in Costa Rica. They gave us technical assistance which we use regularly in "Overcoming Barriers".
Our program has been a great success from the beginning. It has been so thanks to the contribution of many friends with disabilities. There is also the most valuable contribution and active participation of Lupe Lobo, my girlfriend, and the continued support from the administrative and operations team of Radio Reloj. Though I am the conductor, and provide the guidelines, I always count on the support from these most important people.
D. W. How would you define the mission and vision of this radio program?
F. M. M.: Aas an effort to provide a space for interactive participation to promote a positive image about persons with disabilities, and of course as a means to combat the negative perceptions of disability which still prevails in the Costa Rican society.
With respect to the vision of the program, we are trying to become an alternative means of expression for people with disabilities, their families and society. It really is a communication opportunity to express, share, and demand meaningful and expedient ways to achieve equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in Costa Rica.
D. W.: What are the objectives that you have defined for the program?
F. M. M.: Our purpose is to place the program as the number one alternative means of expression for persons with disabilities, their families, and society. Like a vehicle for communication promoting interactive participation, providing accessible and up to date information in fields like health, employment, culture, accessible public transportation, recreation and much more. All this aims at fostering just actions and to eliminate discrimination, to promote social, political, economical, and cultural strengthening of persons with disabilities in the Costa Rican society.
We also provide a flexible space for personal experiences in the social struggle of persons with disabilities or their families, as they work toward personal and collective development. And, of course, we provide freedom of expression when people call to denounce discrimination against persons with disabilities and to communicate about ways to improve the living conditions of the estimated 400,000 persons that are part of the disability sector in Costa Rica. This and more is the Agenda of the Overcoming Barriers radio program.
D. W.: What are the more frequent themes during this year and a half of program broadcasting?
F. M. M.: We have had the themes of human rights of persons with disabilities, access to education, employment, accessibility of public transportation, health, and other related aspects. Our program has contributed to inform the public about the Law 7600.
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