Two days late? Yes. But nevertheless today’s post is dedicated to recognizing International Day of Persons with Disability (IDPD). IDPD was established by the United Nations in 1992 in an effort to increase awareness, mobilize support, and deepen understanding regarding disability issues. This year’s theme is transformation towards a sustainable and resilient society for all.
I bring up IDPD in the context of Peace Corps, because disability is a part of the human experience. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80% of individuals will experience a short term, temporary, or permanent disability in their lifetime and that persons with disability (PWD) represent 15% of the world’s current population. For those living with permanent or long-term disabilities, it’s the source of significant disparities related to health, education, and employment among other social indicators.
Given the sectors in which we work (Community Health, Youth & Families, and Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Ecuador) and the charge to improve “the quality of life of the people with whom (we) live and work,” there’s no reason why the needs of PWD and their loved ones shouldn’t be a consideration in everything we do as volunteers. Moreover, as a physical therapist and public health professional I’d be remiss not to call attention to our capacity to promote the rights and inclusion of PWD within our communities.
Disability in Ecuador
Depending on the source, PWD represent between 12-13% of the population in Ecuador. As of 2008, Ecuador is one of 175 countries that has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability. The convention affirms principles of dignity and autonomy, non-discrimination, full participation and inclusion, equal opportunity, and accessibility for PWD. It also recognizes the unique challenges and protections needed for women and children.
Ecuador has backed it’s commitment to disability with a list of important legislation that’s been passed in the past 10 years. From 2009-2010, the Manuela Espejo Solidarity Mission conducted the first nationwide census and needs assessment for PWD. Based on the results it made provisions for adequate housing, rehabilitation, funding for prosthetics, and equipment for those fulfilling specific requirements. Perhaps the most interesting component is the requirement for any business with more than 25 employees to have 4% of it’s workforce represent PWD (or caregivers if his or her loved one is unable to work). The program also laid the groundwork the Joaquin Gallegos Mission which gives a monthly subsidy to support the caregivers of persons with permanent and severe disabilities.
The Organic Law on Disability, passed in 2012, went on to establish a national registry for PWD through the National Council on Disability Equality. Those registered are eligible for supports such as discounts on transportation, credits for purchasing, constructing or remodeling a home, and social security benefits. Just one year later the Organic Law on Communication enacted policies to address attitudinal and communication barriers in the media (you might remember me swooning over the use of sign language interpreters in Ecuadorian news programs thanks to this law). As a result, between 2007 and 2013 spending on social services for PWD increased from $2 million to $150 million dollars a year.
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that these changes took place while Lenin Moreno was serving as Vice President during the same time period. In 1998, Moreno sustained a spinal cord injury after being shot in back at close range during an assault. He had no qualms about his position and own experience as a PWD to advocate for others. In fact, in 2012 he was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for is role in advancing disability rights and inclusion in Ecuador. Earlier this year he was elected president.
What We Can Do
As promising as progress has been in the realm of disability rights, there’s still work to be done. In Ecuador, a disproportionate number of PWD are living in poverty. 18% have never attended school. Only 19% make it to some level of secondary school while an even smaller percentage (8%) go on to study at the university level or higher. Less than half of PWD are employed. With respect to sports, recreational, and social activities, participation is limited compared to the general population. For those with severe limitations, knowledge about their rights and the benefits for which they are eligible hovers at a troubling 10%. Almost all of these disparities are more pronounced for PWD living in rural households.
Our scope as Peace Corps Volunteers precludes us from working on the level of national policy and institutions (as it should), but we can make a difference on a community and interpersonal level. Peace Corps has various cross sector programming priorities. Technically, the only one in which Peace Corps Ecuador participates is Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. However, at other posts PWD is a focus as well. The reporting system for volunteers provides a nice blueprint for activities we can facilitate, including:
- Infrastructure support/physical access
- Supporting families
- Raising awareness/promoting inclusion
- Teacher training/curriculum development
- Teaching and tutoring
- Vocational training/workforce development
In short, we can use our skills and modeling to change harmful attitudes and break down modifiable barriers to participation in the neighborhoods and people with which we interact each day. Sustainable and resilient societies are rooted in mobilizing the potential of all who live within them– let’s do so without exception.
Sources
1. Asamblea Nacional, “Ley Orgánica de Discapacidades,” 25 de septiembre del 2012, Accessed November 30, 2017, http://www.consejodiscapacidades.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2014/02/ley_organica_discapacidades.pdf
2. Consejo Nacional de la Igualdad de Discapacidades, “Agenda Nacional Para La Igualdad En Discapacidades 2013-2017,” Accessed November 30, 2017, http://www.planificacion.gob.ec/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2014/09/Agenda-Nacional-para-Discapacidades.pdf
3. Peace Corps Volunteer Reporting. Cross Sector Programming Priorities/Initiatives. Reporting Period 1 Apr 2017 – 30 Sep 2017
4. Peace Corps, Core Expectations for Peace Corps Volunteers,” Accessed November 30, 2017, https://www.peacecorps.gov/volunteer/is-peace-corps-right-for-me/peace-corps-volunteer/core-expectations-peace-corps-volunteers/
5. Plataforma de Seguridad Alimentaria Y Nutricional, “Programa Misión Solidaria Manuela Espejo,” Accessed November 30, 2017, http://plataformacelac.org/programa/43
6. United Nations. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability 2006. http://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/convention/convoptprot-e.pdf
7. United Nations, Division for Social Policy and Disability. International Day of Persons with Disability- 3 December. https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-3-december.html
8. World Health Organization, “Towards a Common Language for Functioning, Disability and Health: ICF,” Geneva, 2002, Accessed November 30, 2017, http://www.who.int/classifications/icf/icfbeginnersguide.pdf?ua=1
9. World Health Organization, “World Report on Disability 2011,” Accessed November 30, 2017, http://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/report.pdf
Zero Degrees Latitude 