State of the World's Children 2013 - Unicef
State of the World's Children 2013 - Unicef
State of the World's Children 2013 - Unicef
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We [in government] must understand that disability is not a<br />
problem but ra<strong>the</strong>r a circumstance. . . . [We must] assist our<br />
youngest citizens in entering <strong>the</strong> mainstream.<br />
to early detection and intervention.<br />
By 2012, some 1.1 million<br />
children under age 9 had been<br />
screened to detect hearing<br />
impairments and promote early<br />
intervention. To this end, 1,401<br />
diagnostic and aural screening<br />
service units were set up<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Ministry <strong>of</strong> Public Health<br />
network; 1,500 health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals<br />
were trained; 30 speech<br />
<strong>the</strong>rapy service units were<br />
established; and 1,508 hearing<br />
aids were provided.<br />
In <strong>2013</strong>, 714,000 children will<br />
have been screened at 24<br />
impaired-sight service centres<br />
and we expect that some 2,500<br />
children will receive aids to<br />
help <strong>the</strong>m improve <strong>the</strong>ir vision<br />
or function with blindness.<br />
We have also set up a national<br />
programme to screen newborns<br />
for congenital conditions<br />
that can be treated. By<br />
December 2011, this effort,<br />
known as ‘Right Foot Forward:<br />
The Footprint <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Future’,<br />
had screened 98,034 newborns<br />
and found 30 cases <strong>of</strong> congenital<br />
hypothyroidism, galactosaemia,<br />
congenital adrenal<br />
hyperplasia or phenylketonuria.<br />
Each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se 30 girls and boys<br />
has received treatment for<br />
conditions that, if left untreated<br />
in <strong>the</strong> first few weeks or<br />
months <strong>of</strong> life, place children at<br />
increased risk <strong>of</strong> low cognition,<br />
speech impairment and tremors,<br />
among o<strong>the</strong>r impairments.<br />
Beyond bio-social support and<br />
early intervention, we are pursuing<br />
social and cultural inclusion.<br />
Under <strong>the</strong> banner <strong>of</strong> ‘An<br />
Ecuador <strong>of</strong> Joy and Solidarity’,<br />
70,000 children and young people<br />
with and without disabilities<br />
have participated in inclusive<br />
fairs held throughout <strong>the</strong> country.<br />
Play and games are being<br />
promoted as means <strong>of</strong> creating<br />
space for integration. At <strong>the</strong>se<br />
fairs, persons with disabilities<br />
take <strong>the</strong> lead as instructors<br />
in physical exercise, arts and<br />
crafts, games and storytelling.<br />
Some 7,700 marginalized or<br />
vulnerable children and young<br />
people are advancing <strong>the</strong>ir personal<br />
development, self-esteem<br />
and social integration through<br />
such pursuits as dance, music,<br />
painting and literature. They<br />
include 1,100 children and<br />
young people who are involved<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Social Circus, an initiative<br />
run in collaboration with<br />
<strong>the</strong> Canadian entertainment<br />
company Cirque du Soleil.<br />
These innovations have awakened<br />
interest among Ecuador’s<br />
neighbours, a number <strong>of</strong> whom<br />
are seeking to learn more about<br />
our experience. The first thing<br />
to note is that <strong>the</strong>re is no time<br />
to lose. No child should have to<br />
wait for <strong>the</strong> services and supports<br />
that are rightfully hers or<br />
his, but this is especially <strong>the</strong><br />
case for children with disabilities,<br />
because <strong>the</strong>ir vulnerability<br />
can increase with age.<br />
We in government must tackle<br />
<strong>the</strong> tasks at hand without<br />
delay. We must understand<br />
that disability is not a problem<br />
but ra<strong>the</strong>r a circumstance. It<br />
is up to us, regardless <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
place or <strong>the</strong> role we have<br />
to play, to assist our youngest<br />
citizens in entering <strong>the</strong><br />
mainstream. We cannot even<br />
dream <strong>of</strong> a country with social<br />
justice, one that abides by<br />
<strong>the</strong> principles <strong>of</strong> good living,<br />
unless we guarantee that<br />
persons with disabilities,<br />
especially children and<br />
adolescents, can fully<br />
exercise <strong>the</strong>ir rights.<br />
Disability does not mean<br />
incapability: It is <strong>the</strong> wonderful<br />
diversity that enriches<br />
humankind.<br />
AN AGENDA FOR ACTION<br />
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