Seen, Counted, Included - LAC Region
Children with Disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean: A statistical overview of their well-being
Highlights
Over 19 million children with disabilities live in Latin America and the Caribbean. Each of them – like every child in the world – has the right to be nurtured and supported through responsive care and education, to receive adequate nutrition and social protection, and to enjoy play and leisure time. Too often, however, such rights are denied. The reasons vary: They include stigma, lack of accessible services, institutionalization and physical barriers. But the consequences are sadly consistent. When marginalized from society, these children’s chances to survive and thrive are diminished, along with their prospects for a bright future. Our new report sheds light on these realities.
The report’s objective is to promote the use of these data to make children with disabilities in the region more visible, bringing about a fuller understanding of their life experiences. It offers evidence crucial to decision-making to fulfil obligations, both moral and legal, to give every child an equal chance in life.
