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February 08, 2010
Good news from Lilian-Chile
03/02/2010
Governor of CHILE, enacts Disability Law:
He stressed that "to achieve full equality of respect to our human rights legislation must recognize the differences that affect people with disabilities.
Santiago, 3 February 2010. In a mass ceremony in the courtyard of the Camellias of the Currency, the President of the Republic, Michelle Bachelet, accompanied by Minister of Planning, Paula Quintana, Maria Olivia Recart, the Finance Minister (S), Roberto Cerri, Executive Secretary the National Disability Fund, highest political authorities, representatives of organizations of and for persons with disabilities, among others, became a reality the promulgation of the new law, after four years of discussion in Congress.
The President of the Republic, Michelle Bachelet, issued this morning that Law No. 20,422 establishes rules on equal opportunities and social inclusion for people with disabilities, modifying existing law since 1994. "What we're saying with this bill just enacted, to attain full equality with respect for our human rights legislation must recognize the differences that affect people with disabilities," said the governor.
On the occasion, Minister of Planning, Paula Quintana said "we have this new law will take effect from now, but certainly, they will present new challenges in the implementation phase and at that stage, all of us Chile deeply committed to an inclusive and respectful of diversity, we must be vigilant and help push these changes so that all of society's assume ownership.
The President of the Republic pointed out that in the country, "more than 2 million people (12.9%) have some level of disability, and of that group, nearly half have a significant reduction in its functionality or serious difficulties autonomously perform essential activities of daily living.
In that vein, he explained that the new legal framework promotes public-private cooperation, "understanding that disability is an issue that affects all of society" and therefore stated that progress is needed in providing care, services, access to information and institutional support.
He added that "this project has a different look and sees disability not as a health problem or a disease but as a set of conditions that are often created by the context or social environment," adding that the new legislation attempts "ensure the full exercise of their rights and non discrimination," stating "compensatory mechanisms that effectively equalized opportunities for all."
In this regard, the Head of State said that "we have placed in the center of our government social policy, with the idea based on the right of each of the Chileans or all people living in our country to access the same opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, age, physical condition, economic or the place where born ", remarking that" care for people that is behind this new law. "
Recalled that the country has signed various international instruments on the matter, "being the most emblematic of which the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," adding that it was necessary to "revise our legislation, the tools we had and what all we need, eliminating the criteria and practices that, in fact, end up denying equal opportunities. "
In this context, President Bachelet announced the establishment of "a modern public institutions to relieve the disability as a central aspect of public policy, with the creation of the National Disability Service," the current heir Fonadis, but with more powers and representation at regional level ", adding that there will be other government agencies responsible for the item as a Committee of Ministers and a Disability Advisory Council.
He reported that the processes will be streamlined qualification and certification of disability by extending the system of tariff exemptions for imports of equipment, prostheses, medicines and a host of other requirements to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities.
Along with that, he said that "ensuring full access for persons with disabilities to public and private buildings," while "being perfected preferential parking rules" and "incorporate measures to facilitate access for people with disabilities to the educational system and labor market.
The governor said the new law recognizes sign language as a means of communication of people with hearing disabilities, stating that in a period to be determined by the regulations, "the television channels should generate opportunities for access to its programming to deaf people ".
He also stressed that legal action will be created especially for disabled persons "because of an act or omission suffered arbitrary or unlawful threat, disruption or deprivation in the exercise of these rights", reaffirming that "each of these measures is a contribution not only to people living with disabilities, but for all Chileans. "
Finally, the Head of State said that "it is necessary in this and in all areas of social protection, going well beyond the handouts or mere protectionism," emphasizing that "true integration of all people living with disabilities effective is to promote equalization of opportunities for them to really integrate into the community. "
Major benefits of the new law
According to statistics Fonadis in Chile more than two million people have disabilities, representing 12.9% of the total population. Of these, nearly one million have severe difficulty in performing essential activities of daily living such as dressing, movement and overcome the barriers posed by the environment.
Among others, the new legislation into law the following:
The media must use closed captioning and sign language in public service campaigns, electioneering, presidential debates and national chains.
Medicines, medical foods and cosmetics must have Braille signage to inform the product name, date of manufacture and expiry.
All the public transport will make the necessary adjustments to ensure disabled access.
It enshrines the duty of the Ministry of Education to consider special needs students in measures of quality of education such as SIMCE and PSU. To this end, states that the authority must have the tools to enable these students to participate in these processes.
All public buildings existing on the date of publication of the Law must be accessible to persons with disabilities, within 3 years since their regulation is issued.
All selection processes to access education, training or employment examinations must have been adapted for people with disabilities.
The Ministry of Housing shall provide special grants to purchase homes and to enable people with disabilities.
Educational establishments should make curriculum adjustments, infrastructure and support materials for the enrollment and retention of persons with disabilities.
In the process of recruitment of the State Administration and its agencies, municipalities, the National Congress, the organs of the judiciary and the Public Prosecutor of equal merit should be selected preferably to people with disabilities.
Other matters of interest
Among the most relevant measures establishing a modern and robust public institutions intended to relieve the disability as a focus of public policies, creating institutions and instruments, such as the Committee of Ministers of Disability, the National Disability and an Advisory Board.
Similarly, reinforcing the measures that promote public-private cooperation, stressing that disability is an issue that affects all of society and it is the duty of all to help overcome the barriers that prevent or hinder the full integration of these people
Posted by jicafriends at February 8, 2010 05:20 PM