Conclusions of the Ibero-American Seminar on the theme, "2004: An Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities"

The movement of organizations of persons with disabilities and their families feels very proud regarding the wide acceptance, by the presidents and heads of State and the Ibero-American community, to the proposals presented by the Ibero-American Network of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, to declare 2004 the Ibero-American Year of Persons with Disabilities. Here in Latin America, the success of this year will depend on the strong commitment manifested by the governments, the civil society, and the organizations of persons with disabilities and their families.

The celebration of the Ibero-American Year of Persons with Disabilities cannot be just well intended rhetoric and declarations, or some isolated activities here and there. This year must be full of effective actions that will structurally change present conditions. Disability must become part of the political and social agendas.

In Latin America, the situation of persons with disabilities and their families is characterized by the most severe social exclusion, poverty, discrimination, and absence of equal opportunities . It calls for governments to adopt stronger, more ambitious, and sustainable public policies leading to structural changes within a system that is neither fostering human dignity nor promoting the quality of life in our societies.

Poverty and disability sustain one another. Poverty generates and worsens the effects of disability and, particularly in Latin America, disability is associated with poverty. This means that disability must be introduced within every policy, program, and plan, and always a part of the human and social development to be promoted in our countries.

The new disability public policies for Latin America must be based on disability as a human rights issue . And, from there on, persons with disability must by recognized as individuals having full rights and the consequent effects derived thereof.

Disability belongs within the sphere of human rights, equal opportunities, and the principle of non discrimination. Here we must stress that persons with disabilities are entitled to human rights. Yet, there is still the need to define these rights more clearly, so they become understood as important and binding. Also, there is an urgent need for budget and combined efforts to fulfill these rights, which are universal. Conditions generating discrimination must be eliminated. Persons with disabilities need full participation, and to achieve it, the following vital areas must be effectively addressed: early intervention, education for all, real job opportunities, health and sanitation services, among others which are part of the fundamental human rights, including better relations with national and local administrations.

The existing disability related legislation in Latin America is characterized by dispersion, by the proliferation of fragmentary laws, and the generalized noncompliance. We need up to date, complete and comparative research on disability legislation. New research must include indicators regarding how each country is fulfilling its own disability related legislation. There is also a need to develop mechanisms to introduce pertinent changes.

Addressing the needs of the families of persons with disabilities. An integrated social protection system must be established, including due information, quality training, homebound services, and the needed financial aid for families having members with disabilities.

Participatory democracy calls for new public policies, including the recognition that persons with disabilities must participate, through their organizations, in the elaboration, consultation, approval, implementation, follow up, and evaluation of all plans and programs affecting their lives.

Disability is both a social reality and a personal reality, plural, diverse and distinct. Within the large populations of persons with disabilities there are some groups which are more readily excluded and more frequently the victims of discrimination. Though human rights are for all, the needs of these more vulnerable groups must be addressed more urgently by effective public policies. These groups include Women with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and girls and boys presenting multiple disabilities. Among these groups there are: Persons with disabilities not able to represent themselves, persons with disabilities living in rural areas or very far from centers of social and economical influence, persons with disabilities subject to social stigma, as it is often the case of persons with mental disease. Here we have a large variety of people being excluded and discriminated because of their disabilities.

As in the rest of the world, full equal rights of persons with disabilities in Latin America, will depend on how much they are willing to make their own decisions and how aware they become about the importance of controlling their own lives. There is no liberation without awareness. On a social dimension, persons aware of their potential work together with others. This is how the movement of persons with disabilities and their families is being built and strengthened.

It is essential that persons with disabilities have a strong and united social movement, where diversity and democratic procedures are respected. This social movement must be actively involved with other sectors and social actors.

In Latin America, notwithstanding many meritorious examples, the social movement of persons with disabilities and their families still present weaknesses, fragility, and fragmentation. There is a need of creating cross-disability organizations in the region and stronger disability specific organizations in Ibero-America.

One of the basic objectives must be the expansion, strengthening, and orderly functioning of the social movement of persons with disabilities in Ibero-America. This is because the public policies and social changes will only be enacted with the organized participation of persons with disabilities.

The Ibero-American Network of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities is part of the social movement of persons with disabilities and their families. Its objective in Ibero-America is to be influencial in the political decisions advancing social participation and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. This Network is a democratic, associative, and representative action organization, that is open to all countries and organizations of Ibero-America.

Here in Latin America, the Ibero-American Network also needs the support of member countries and the participating organizations of persons with disabilities, and other organizations in Latin America. As the social movement grows, so does the Ibero-American Network of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and their Families.

The organizations of persons with disabilities and the countries of Latin America must plan and act jointly, within effective regional structures. This Network salutes and appreciates the coordination with RIICOTEC, and hope that it will create projects and other initiatives to improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities and their families.

Developed countries, particularly the members of the European Union, must reinforce their international cooperation policies by including disability issues. Disability issues must be considered as part of the projects being sponsored. The European Union and donor countries should demand that recipient nations comply with disability requirements, including public disability policies and respect to approved national and international instruments regarding accessibility and equal rights for persons with disabilities. There should be an effective follow up mechanism to ensure that these types of international cooperation schemes address the needs of persons with disabilities in the Ibero-American nations.

The Inter-American and Ibero-American multilateral cooperation must include disability as one of their major topics in their agendas. Regarding disability, these major topics include ways to improve policies, the cooperation, health, employment, justice, and human rights, among other areas demanding coordinated multilateral actions.

The Ibero-American Network of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities records its optimism regarding the work undertaken toward the International Convention on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I n support of these efforts, it calls on countries and governments to join effectively and sincerely in this international cause. The goal is to approve soon a wide-scope, legally binding international instrument. This international convention must include efficient control and follow up mechanisms and will specifically address social development and international cooperation needs.

The Ibero-American Year of Persons with Disabilities , being made a reality in each country by means of a plan with objectives and indicators, must be understood as an opportunity for effectively advancing at improving the conditions of persons with disabilities and their families . It should become the basis for an intensive program which will continue far beyond the end of the year.

Commentary by Secretary General of the Latin American & Caribbean Network of Persons with Disabilities

Pilar Samaniego, Secretary General of the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Persons with Disabilities, says: "Latin America is characterized by norms that do not go beyond paper"

What is the role of the media during this Ibero-American Year of Persons with Disabilities?

Media have a leading role. Yet, it is important to make sure that the focus and the message content and context are correctly presented, and not overexposed. Too often the way in which the press addresses disability topics follows a pity and emotion charged paradigm, instead of promoting human dignity, the importance of human rights, the real challenges, and efforts of persons with disabilities in creating a new society. On the other hand, as we have many times used the media to expose poverty affecting persons with disabilities, it is like if we use a raincoat that covers the more positive part. Then people do not see all the information, so they do not become aware about what to do to improve the living conditions of others.

Now, if we have persons with disabilities who know about their rights and if we had a more conscientious public opinion, it would be much easier for citizens to exercise control and influence governmental authorities to guarantee the fulfillment of rights and to conduct remedies.

Is the creation of norms to guarantee rights a challenge?

Latin America is characterized by having norms and subscribing to international agreements at summits that do not go beyond paper and that do not move from rhetoric- laden declarations to concrete facts. This systemic noncompliance needs to be urgently addressed by a social strengthening policy leading to changes.

What would be the objectives?

The objectives include, among other elements: train persons with disabilities and their families, improve the organization of their social movements, guarantee that they are democratically represented and allowed to participate at the formulation of national policies, plans, and programs, including legislative and administrative dispositions and social planning, approved as State mandates, not governmental measures.

Commentary by Representative of IMSERSO

José Carlos Baura, Sub Director of Planning, Ordering, and Evaluation of the IMSERSO: "We want to promote the Movement of Persons with Disabilities in Ibero-America"

What is the role of IMSERSO during the Ibero-American Year of Persons with Disabilities?

IMERSO has been very interested in collaborating in and playing an important role during this Ibero-American Year of Persons with Disabilities. We are acting through two converging perspectives: the Ibero-American Inter-governmental Network for Technical Cooperation (Red Intergubernamental Iberoamericana de Cooperación Técnica, RIICOTEC) and the support structure of the European Year of Persons with Disabilities.

What are the working areas available?

One working area is social awareness. It is very important to teach and create disability awareness within society, including the wide range of problems and needs facing persons with disabilities, which can be addressed by: equality, inclusion, accessibility, and by knowing the national and international rights to which they are entitled. Social awareness must be also focused on the common goal of rights for all in a society for all.

IMSERSO provides a long time experience...

We are conducting many courses and technical training activities for developing and better use of national and international instruments. These study activities provide sound information about   what   the situation of disabled people actually are in each country and region. Then it is possible to advance into resources and means.

There will be many gathering opportunities, like the next Seminar of the Disability Councils in Quito, Ecuador, next June. We have just met at a Seminar in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, in Bolivia, and we are still working, like we worked in Spain, on a fundamental aspect: the importance of the social movement of persons with disabilities. We want to promote the social movement of persons with disabilities in Ibero-America.

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