Celia Leao is "on a mission" in Brazilian Politics

By Kay Schriner (kays@comp.uark.edu)

Celia Leao, a member of the Sao Paulo state parliament in Brazil, describes herself as being "on a mission" to improve the lives of disabled people in her country.

As she explained in her presentation at Rehabilitation International's 19th World Congress in Rio de Janeiro in August, a disabled person who is elected to office runs the risk of being absorbed by the system, but must remember that the disabled person "doesn't have the right" to ignore this mission. "Without commitment, nothing is corrected, nothing is built," according to Leao. A disabled legislator should work on issues that are important to disabled people, especially access to employment.

First elected to office around 12 years ago, Leao said that it is a mistake to believe that being a disabled person helps you get elected. Some people may believe that people will vote for you if you use a wheelchair because they pity you, but in reality, running for public office as a disabled person is a burden. At times, there is open discrimination.

Another way for disabled people to participate in governance is to stand for examination to civil service posts. Brazilian law requires that disabled persons be given an equal opportunity to sit for examination. The law also mandates that a percentage of civil service posts be filled by people with disabilities. Leao sees this as an important way for disabled citizens to effect social change within government.

Whether by holding elected office or by becoming a civil servant, Leao believes that participation in governance is a significant part of implementing the sociopolitical model of disability. She will be even more optimistic about the future for disabled people, she says, when she sees disabled people taking a bigger part in political parties in Brazil. "This is where things happen."