Núcleo Disca

Disability and citizenship

Author Archives: Comunicaciones Núcleo DISCA

  2. Healthcare access among people with and without disabilities

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    In this article, published in the journal Public Health, significant gaps in healthcare access between people with and without disabilities are highlighted.

    Main results:

    Compared to people without disabilities, those with disabilities:

    • Are twice as likely to have health problems.
    • Use health consultation more frequently (general practitioner, emergencies, specialists, dental care, tests, etc.).
    • Show lower coverage for the EMPA Adult Preventive Medical Examination (ages 15-64).
    • Show lower coverage for the Pap test (among people with disabilities aged 25-64).
    • More frequently face barriers to accessing healthcare (distance/transportation, waiting times, affordability, etc.).

    This study reinforces the urgent need for public policies that ensure a more accessible and equitable healthcare system for all people.

  3. Trayectorias de luchas de la Asociación de Personas con Discapacidad del Guayas, Ecuador y del Colectivo Nacional de la Discapacidad de Chile [Struggles and Paths of the Association of Persons with Disabilities of Guayas, Ecuador, and the National Disability Collective of Chile]

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    Points of interest:

    • This article studies two organizations of people with disabilities: ASODISG in Ecuador and CONADIS in Chile. The goal is to understand how these organizations fight for their rights and how they take part in politics to raise issues and demands of people with disabilities.
    • Historically, people with disabilities have been excluded from important decisions. That is why disability social movements seek to have a voice and to change public policies based on their own experiences.
    • Disability movements have started using a human rights approach to defend the dignity, equality, and participation of people with disabilities. This approach sees people with disabilities as rights-holders, not as objects of charity.
    • The International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was very important for disability movements in Latin America. Although many countries signed it, there is still a big gap between the promises and what is actually done.
    • Ableism is a form of discrimination that treats people with disabilities as less valuable. Current policies favor more “productive” people and exclude those who do not fit that model.
    • The article highlights that the bodies of people with disabilities are not “passive objects”, but have the power to change reality. Marches, protests, and meetings are examples of this.
    • The article uses a qualitative case study approach. Interviews, focus groups, and direct participation in the organizations were done to understand the experiences of activists and how they organize to defend the rights of people with disabilities.
    • Although the International Convention is important, disability movements in Ecuador and Chile have gone further, creating their own ways of fighting that are also connected to other social movements in their communities.

     

    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.

  4. 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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    Points of interest:

    • This article reviews the concept of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), a complete method for evaluating the health of older adults that considers their physical, mental, functional, and social status.
    • The article proposes updating this concept and adapting it to the reality of Latin America and the Caribbean, where the population is aging rapidly and there are still few professionals trained in geriatrics and gerontology.
    • Fifty validated assessment tools from the region were compiled to identify the needs and risks of older people.
    • It highlights the importance of applying these tools in various settings: primary care, hospitals, nursing homes, telemedicine, and community programs.
    • During the pandemic, many assessments were adapted, which opened up new possibilities for using technology in the care of older adults.
    • The article provides recommendations for improving professional training, conducting more research, creating digital applications, and designing public policies that use these assessments to enhance the quality of life of older people.

    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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    Points of interest:

    • 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.

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

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    Points of interest:

    • 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.

  8. Memorias invisibilizadas: conmemoración del golpe de Estado desde la perspectiva de personas con discapacidad [Invisibilized memories: commemoration of the coup d’Etat from the perspective of people with disabilities]

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    Points of interest:

    • 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.

  9. Discapacidad en Chile: una introducción [Disability in Chile: an introduction]

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    Disability in Chile: An Introduction (The book is only published in Spanish)

    “Disability in Chile: An Introduction” offers a comprehensive analysis of the physical, social, and attitudinal barriers faced by people with disabilities, while promoting a shift towards a human rights-based approach. This book aims to change the paradigm of disability in Chile, placing the issue at the center of public discourse from a social and human rights perspective.

    Throughout its 10 chapters, it examines how people with disabilities face significant barriers to participating in society, from education and employment to family life, politics, and access to justice.

    The text is not limited to a single disability but addresses a wide range of experiences, using a general and inclusive approach. Moreover, the authors, many of whom have direct experience with disability, provide evidence-based analyses and propose solutions to eliminate barriers that prevent full inclusion.

    The book brings together contributions from leading experts and is aimed at a wide audience, including academics, people with disabilities, professionals in the field, family members, and anyone interested in social justice and inclusion.

    How to Access the Book:

    Discapacidad en Chile: una introducción