Key points:
- In Mexico, there are around 7.1 million people with disabilities, which represents approximately 6% of the total population.
- Including people with disabilities in work and social activities can give them a very good quality of life.
- The inclusion of people with disabilities is to ensure that everyone has the same opportunities to actively participate in society.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, “persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, when faced with various barriers, may prevent their full and effective participation in society, on equal terms”.
In Mexico, there are around 7.1 million people with disabilities, which represents approximately 6% of the total population.
Throughout the history of Mexico, people with disabilities have been frequently excluded from social activities; to date, they lack full recognition of their human rights since many consider that they cannot perform the same activities as the rest of the people.
Of every 100 people over the age of 15 with a disability, only 40 participate in economic activities, that is, they have access to employment. A figure significantly lower than that registered for people who do not have limitations or disabilities.
However, in recent years, different government agencies have joined efforts to promote policies for the social integration of these people in the country.
Disability in the family
Families living with and caring for a person with a disability have both positive and negative impacts. On the positive side, as awareness increases about how to deal with this situation, a sense of closeness and unconditional support can be achieved in the family and community. However, it can also be a source of tension between spouses, parents, and children. Some families are predisposed to divorce due to the psychological and emotional factors that come with a disability.
Disability within the health sector
Inclusion allows people with disabilities to take advantage of the benefits of the same health prevention and promotion actions, such as:
- Education and counseling programs that promote physical activity, improve their nutrition, and help reduce tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.
- Blood pressure and cholesterol measurement campaigns through annual medical examination, and screening tests for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Including people with disabilities in day-to-day activities and encouraging them to have similar or equal tasks to those of their peers who do not have a disability, is known as the inclusion of people with disabilities.
This inclusion allows them to have a full life, study, work, have children, get married, and even build their own assets under their own means.
At ABC we contribute to inclusively improve access to health.
Fuentes:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/spanish/disabilityandhealth/disability-inclusion.html
https://www.ehowenespanol.com/impactos-sociales-discapacidad-info_435736/
