Núcleo Disca

Disability and citizenship

Author Archives: Comunicaciones Núcleo DISCA

  1. Embodiment and Mobility: Mappings of the Common and Territories in Friction

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    The book brings together contributions from thirteen authors who present conceptual reflections, descriptions of practices, and methodological insights that are useful for understanding embodiments and mobilities. From this perspective, multiple sensory, affective, material, and infrastructural factors gain renewed importance, offering more complex—and at the same time more concrete—descriptions of everyday ways of moving.

    Given the diversity of its content, this is a crossroads of analytical approaches that gradually trace cartographies of what embodiments and mobilities contribute to the relational understanding of multiple areas of social life. This understanding can lead to pathways for urban transformation aimed at creating more livable, inclusive, and just territories for their inhabitants.

    Note:
    This book is available as open access.

  2. Study of a set of reading precursors among Chilean children with Down syndrome

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    This article, published in Frontiers in Psychology, presents important findings on reading acquisition in Chilean children with Down syndrome.

    Some points of interest:

    • This study explores the performance of 42 Chilean children with Down syndrome on a set of reading precursors (phonological awareness, visual recognition, vocabulary, letter knowledge, and verbal reasoning). The age of these children ranges from 6 to 11 years.
    • 23 participants attended special schools and 19 attended regular schools. The analysis led to reflection on the transformations that should be considered when designing educational programs aimed at reading instruction for children with Down syndrome.
    • The results suggest that children with Down syndrome exhibit a significant improvement in performance after the age of 7, based on the differences found among the three age groups compared in this study.
    • There is a general delay in reading precursors within the group, indicating that children with Down syndrome require even more time to strengthen these skills and, thereby, progress in the formal process of learning to read.
    • The results obtained also suggest that the reading skills of a group of Spanish-speaking children with Down syndrome are sensitive to change and improve with age.

    Notes:

    The following summary was prepared by Núcleo Milenio DISCA and is based exclusively on the original publication. Therefore, it should not be used for citations or references.

    This article was originally published in English.

  3. Comprehensive Gerontological Assessment: An Update on the Concept and Its Evaluation Tools in Latin America and the Caribbean—A Literature Review

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    Puntos de interés

    • Este artículo revisa el concepto de Evaluación Gerontológica Integral (EGI), que es una forma completa de evaluar la salud de las personas mayores, considerando su estado físico, mental, funcional y social.
    • El artículo propone actualizar este concepto y adaptarlo a la realidad de América Latina y el Caribe, donde la población está envejeciendo rápidamente y aún hay pocos profesionales formados en geriatría y gerontología.
    • Se recopilaron 50 herramientas de evaluación validadas en la región, que se usan para identificar necesidades y riesgos en personas mayores.
    • Se destaca la importancia de aplicar estas herramientas en distintos contextos: atención primaria, hospitales, residencias, telemedicina y programas comunitarios.
    • Durante la pandemia, muchas evaluaciones se adaptaron, lo que abrió nuevas posibilidades para usar la tecnología en el cuidado de personas mayores.
    • El artículo propone recomendaciones para mejorar la formación de profesionales, hacer más investigación, crear aplicaciones digitales, y diseñar políticas públicas que usen estas evaluaciones para mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas mayores.

    Notes:

    • The following summary was prepared by Núcleo Milenio DISCA and is based exclusively on the original publication. Therefore, it should not be used for citations or references.
    • This article was originally published in English.

  4. Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Among Women with Disabilities: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study in Chile

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    Key Points:

    • This study analyzes how many women with disabilities in Chile undergo the Papanicolaou (Pap) test. This exam is used to detect cervical cancer.
    • Based on data from the 2022 CASEN survey, it was observed that women with disabilities are less likely to get a Pap test compared to women without disabilities.
    • Women aged 35 to 64, who are married, have completed secondary or higher education, live in rural areas, and are receiving medical treatment are more likely to undergo the exam.
    • On the other hand, women who are single, not working, or who attended special education are less likely to have the exam.
    • The study reveals that even though the Pap test is free in many cases, barriers still exist, such as lack of information, low health education, and negative experiences with the healthcare system.
    • The study highlights the need for inclusive public policies that improve access to preventive exams for women with disabilities.

     

    Notes:

    • The following summary was prepared by Núcleo Milenio DISCA and is based exclusively on the original publication. Therefore, it should not be used for citations or references.
    • This article was originally published in English.

  5. Women with disabilities and the loss of custody of their children: “Carers, but not mothers”

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    Key points:

    • Historically, the motherhood of women with disabilities has been questioned due to negative representations about them. It is often assumed that women with disabilities cannot be mothers, and when they are, their ability to care for their children is doubted.
    • According to international literature, women with disabilities are at greater risk of losing custody of their children. However, in Chile, there is little evidence about this issue.
    • This article analyzes the experiences of three Chilean mothers with disabilities who faced legal proceedings regarding the custody of their sons or daughters.
    • The findings show several difficulties that women with disabilities must face in order to prove they are capable of being mothers.
    • The article concludes that, if proper support is provided and the disabling view is changed, mothers with disabilities can provide the care and parenting their children need.

     

    Notes:

    • The following summary was prepared by Núcleo Milenio DISCA and is based exclusively on the original publication. Therefore, it should not be used for citations or references.
    • This article was originally published in English.

  6. Baby MICARE: Intervention Manual for Professionals.

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    Key points:

    • Baby MICARE is a free program that helps professionals work with families of children with Down syndrome, from birth to 3 years old.
    • The program is based on scientific evidence and includes a step-by-step guide for implementation. Its goal is to improve interactions between caregivers and children, supporting their development and autonomy.
    • The program includes 10 sessions, focused on practicing skills through play and daily routines.
    • Any health or education professional can use the program, as the manual explains each step clearly.
    • The program also strengthens sensitivity, empathy, and respect for the child’s initiative during play.
    • Baby MICARE was created based on research funded by Fondecyt Regular 1221400, and it takes into account the characteristics and needs of families in Chile.

     

    Notes:

    • The following summary was prepared by Núcleo Milenio DISCA and is based exclusively on the original publication. Therefore, it should not be used for citations or references.
    • This article was originally published in English.

  7. Invisibilized memories: commemoration of the coup d’Etat from the perspective of people with disabilities

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    Key points:

    • As part of the 50th anniversary of the 1973 coup d’état in Chile, various commemorative events were held, reflecting the diversity of memories in recent years.
    • This study focuses on the commemorative action organized at the National Stadium by the Colectivo Nacional por la Discapacidad (CONADIS), which involved displaying a banner created by its members.
    • From the perspective of social psychology of memory, this action can be seen as an expression of “other” memories, which are usually excluded from dominant narratives.
    • Through a critical discourse analysis of focus groups held before and after the event, three main themes were identified:
      1.  Artistic intervention and commemorative discourses of the coup’s 50th anniversary from the perspective of disability;
      2. Reflections on the process of creating the banner; and
      3. Memory elements related to human rights violations against people with disabilities.
    • This study shows how the collective process of artistic creation and artistic intervention positions artivism as a form of political activism that allows people with disabilities to claim their place in society.

     

    Notes:

    • The following summary was prepared by Núcleo Milenio DISCA and is based exclusively on the original publication. Therefore, it should not be used for citations or references.
    • This article was originally published in Spanish.

  8. Attitudes Toward Motherhood and Fertility Preservation Among University Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

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    Key points:

    • In Chile, fewer and fewer children are being born. In 1962, women had an average of 5 children. Today, that number has dropped to just over 1 child per woman.
    • This research aims to understand how university women see their reproductive future, their intention to become mothers, and their willingness to preserve their fertility by freezing their eggs. 
    • A self-administered and semi-structured survey was conducted with 1,020 students from Universidad Diego Portales in Santiago. The average age was 21 years. Most of the women believe that before becoming mothers, they should finish their studies, have a stable job, and be able to support themselves with their own income.
    • For many university women, becoming a mother is not a current priority. They think of motherhood as something that could happen later, when they feel more prepared. Also, only a small group believes it is necessary to have a partner or be married to have children.
    • Teen pregnancies have also decreased, which is related to better access to contraceptives and better sex education. This has given women more freedom to decide about motherhood.
    • The study highlights the need for public policies on reproduction and family planning that are adapted to the new realities and priorities of Chilean women.

     

    Notes:

    • The following summary was prepared by Núcleo Milenio DISCA and is based exclusively on the original publication. Therefore, it should not be used for citations or references.
    • This article was originally published in Spanish.

  10. Barriers in the Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health: Experiences of women with disabilities in the far south of Chile

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    In this article published in Ex Aequo – Journal of the Portuguese Association for Women’s Studies, important findings are highlighted regarding the exercise of sexual and reproductive health rights among women with disabilities.

    Some points of interest:

    • This study explores the barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services for women with disabilities within the public system in the Magallanes region.
    • The 15 women interviewed express low satisfaction with the quality of sexual and reproductive health services.
    • Women with disabilities report limitations caused by healthcare staff, physical environment barriers, and administrative constraints.
    • There is a double discrimination against women with disabilities in healthcare settings: they are discriminated against both for being women and for having disabilities.
    • They emphasize that their needs are not considered during interactions with healthcare personnel, and they are not allowed to make decisions independently.

    Notes:

    • The following summary was prepared by Núcleo Milenio DISCA and is based exclusively on the original publication. Therefore, it should not be used for citations or references.
    • This article was originally published in English.