The delegation moved from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro (a 5 hour drive, but we took a 45 minute flight). Rio is a port city and the center of shipping for the country. While our activities on this travel day included the chance to walk along the Copa Cabana beach, a visit to Sugar Loaf Mountain (fantastic views), and dinner in Ipanema (home of the girl from), we have the chance to reflect on and discuss a meeting yesterday afternoon with a representative of the State Secretary of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
It is clear that there are very dedicated people in the Brazilian government concerned with inclusion for people with intellectual disability; however, it is also apparent that the disability population is under documented and underserved and that their advocates in the government face substantial barriers (money, philosophy, education and service structures, and policy strategies) to advancing changes in systems and practices that might achieve inclusion.
We are all reminded that requesting incremental change tends leads to no change at all, while the relentless advocacy of families and self advocates has moved mountains.
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