We need a more inclusive world! | By: Carolina Jaimes Branger

Carolina Jaimes Branger

As the mother of a young girl with a special condition, I am saddened by situations like the one that happened last week at a children’s entertainment establishment, known for its innovative design and exciting attractions, where an irregular situation was reported that referred to possible discrimination once morest a girl who suffers from a disability, by not allowing her access to the place. All of the mother’s arguments fell into limbo. Probably the employees did not have the knowledge or training to know what to do in those conditions.

The administrators later came out to defend their position, claiming that the facilities, attractions and games at the site are not adapted for children with disabilities and that their priority is to guarantee the safety of all visitors. However, this explanation has not been enough to calm the critics. There is outrage among a large part of society, which considers this attitude to be discriminatory and exclusionary. And it is!

Discrimination on the basis of disability is a form of violation of human rights and is unacceptable in any context. Children with disabilities have the same right as any other child to enjoy recreational and leisure spaces, and it is the responsibility of individuals and institutions to ensure their inclusion in all areas. Furthermore, assuming that accidents only happen to disabled children is a fallacious argument, to say the least. We are all, absolutely all, susceptible to accidents. In any place and at any age. In fact, disabled children suffer less from them, because they are usually accompanied and cared for.

The issue of children – and adults – with disabilities must be addressed in order to ensure their inclusion in all areas of society. But in this article I want to refer only to children, because they are more vulnerable. Disability should not be an obstacle to enjoying their childhood and having access to opportunities for play, education and socialisation. They already have enough to bear with the weight of their conditions, so that in places where they can spend time having fun and having fun, they are given more problems than they already suffer! And the discrimination of a child with a disability is suffered by the whole family.

In most countries, like Venezuela, there are laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination based on disability and guarantee equal opportunities for all people. And I will mention a few, to make it clear:

The Law Approving the “Inter-American Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination once morest Persons with Disabilities”, published in Official Gazette No. 38,347 of December 30, 2005, in its article 2, states:

“Discrimination once morest people with disabilities:

1. (a) The term “discrimination once morest persons with disabilities” means any distinction, exclusion or restriction based on a disability, a history of disability, the consequence of a previous disability or the perception of a present or past disability, which has the effect or purpose of preventing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by persons with disabilities of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Article 3 states:

“To achieve the objectives of this Convention, the States Parties undertake to:

1. a) Measures to progressively eliminate discrimination and promote integration by government authorities and/or private entities in the provision or supply of goods, services, facilities, programs and activities, such as employment, transportation, communications, housing, recreation, education, sports, access to justice and police services, and political and administrative activities…”.

Law Approving the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, published in Official Gazette No. 39,236 of August 6, 2009, states the following:

“Article 3:

General principles

The principles of this Convention shall be:

1. b) Non-discrimination;
2. c) Full and effective participation and inclusion in society;
3. d) Respect for differences and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of diversity and the human condition;
4. h) Respect for the evolution of faculties.”

Article 30 is even more explicit:

“Participation in cultural life, recreational activities, leisure and sport.

5. In order to enable persons with disabilities to participate on an equal basis with others in recreation, leisure and sporting activities, States Parties shall take appropriate measures to:
6. c) Ensure that persons with disabilities have access to sports facilities,

recreational and tourist;

1. (d) Ensure that children with disabilities have equal access with other children to participate in play, recreation, leisure and sports activities, including those within the school system;
2. e) Ensure that persons with disabilities have access to the services of those involved in the organisation of recreational, tourism, entertainment and sporting activities.

The Law for Persons with Disabilities, published in the Official Gazette Number 38,598 of January 5, 2007, in its article 4, establishes that:

“The principles governing the provisions of this Law are: social humanism, protagonism, equality, cooperation, equity, solidarity, integration, non-segregation, non-discrimination, participation, co-responsibility, respect for difference and acceptance of human diversity, respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities, accessibility, equal opportunities, respect for personal dignity, as well as those not stated herein and established in the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and in international and intergovernmental treaties, pacts, conventions, agreements, declarations and commitments, validly signed and ratified or accepted by the Republic.”

The same Law, in its article 9, confirms that:

“No person may be subject to discriminatory treatment on the basis of disability.”

We hope that this situation will serve to raise awareness in society regarding the importance of inclusion and equal opportunities for all, regardless of their abilities.

Fortunately, the management of the establishment has taken a proactive attitude and wants to meet with people from different areas – which in some way have to do with different disabilities – to design the best operating policies, so that everyone has the same rights to enjoy.

Diversity enriches our society and it is essential to promote acceptance and respect for all people, regardless of their condition. Together, we can work to create a more inclusive and supportive world for everyone.

@cjaimesb