Global-Report-Living-Colour-dr2-2

Inclusive Communities = Stronger Communities
GLOBAL REPORT ON ARTICLE 19: THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND BE INCLUDED IN THE COMMUNITY
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every individual.” A self-advocate said, “Some people
just don’t understand how passionately we want to
be accepted as we are, to be understood and
supported.” In MENA when a family with a daughter
with intellectual disabilities was approached about
completing her education in an integrated
educational setting her religious father interfered by
responding. "God created them like that; he decided
that they cannot be like others. Who are you to go
against the will of God?” A mother added, “The
biggest problem is not transport or education, it’s
that people don’t know how to communicate with
such children. If they don’t overcome this fear and
hostility, nothing will change. Some people even take
their “normal” children away from our kids.”
A group of self-advocates in Spain had the following
discussion.
M: There are discotheques where they won’t allow
people with Down Syndrome. I saw it on television.
C: I go to a discotheque but there is special session
for people with disabilities.
A: I go to a discotheque for people without
disabilities and I never had a problem.
MC: There are discotheques where they won’t let
anyone come in with sport shoes either.
AC: Not allowing sport shoes is one thing, but not
being allowed in because of having Down
Syndrome – that doesn’t seem fair to me!
A parent in Colombia recounted:
“It was fine and successful when she was little and
her Down Syndrome wasn’t so evident. Then, in
adolescence her isolation became more
pronounced. Then no one invited her or included
her in social events and everyday activities with
friends. They left her out and she felt lonely.”