Challenging Marginalization: Intellectual Disabilities in South America

By Jesus Rey

In many parts of the world, including South America, people with intellectual disabilities have historically faced societal exclusion, discrimination, and a lack of institutional protection. Despite gradual progress in global awareness and human rights frameworks, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across South America remain among the most marginalized groups in society [1].

Public policy aimed at addressing the rights of people with intellectual disabilities in the region is often underdeveloped. This lack of progress can largely be attributed to persistent social and institutional stigma, which has prevented the full inclusion and protection of people with IDD [1]. Nevertheless, recent developments including the influence of international conventions, greater public awareness, and social media exposure have begun to foster momentum toward positive change.

Social Media and International Pressure

Social and news media platforms have played a crucial role in shedding light on the prejudice and abuse faced by people with disabilities. These platforms have helped generate visibility and urgency around disability rights issues that might otherwise be ignored. A notable example occurred in Chile, where videos circulated on social media showing the abuse of children in the “Looked-After Children” program, sparking public outrage [1]. However, despite widespread attention, government responses have often been inadequate due to limited political interest and resources.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adopted in 2006, has been a major tool for change. Article 12 of the CRPD affirms that people with disabilities have the right to legal capacity on an equal basis with others. It also requires states to provide support systems to help individuals exercise this right, accompanied by safeguards to prevent abuse [2]. This legal foundation has fueled interest in Supported Decision-Making (SDM), an approach that allows individuals with disabilities to make their own life decisions with guidance from trusted supporters, rather than being subjected to guardianship.

Efforts in Colombia, Peru, and Argentina

Colombia

Between February 2015 and December 2016, Colombia implemented the pilot project “Supported Decision Making and Community Life in Colombia, Under Articles 12 and 19 of the CRPD.” The initiative adopted a participatory research model centered on person-driven planning that included 34 adults with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities from six areas of Bogotá. The project aimed to enhance decision-making autonomy, community integration, and relationships with family and local support networks. One outcome was the creation of personalized “life plan” booklets, where participants outlined their goals, preferences, and support needs [2].

Peru

In Peru, from 2016 to 2018, the organizations Sociedad y Discapacidad (SODIS) and the Peruvian Down Syndrome Society (SPSD) led the pilot project “Support Network for Decision Making and Community Life.” This initiative contributed to a landmark achievement in 2018, when the Peruvian government enacted Legislative Decree No. 1348, reforming the country's legal capacity laws [2]. The project worked with 20 adults in Lima—10 with intellectual disabilities and 10 with psychosocial disabilities—along with their families and community members to build sustainable support networks that enabled them to exercise their legal rights [2].

Argentina

From 2017 to 2019, Argentina’s National University of Mar del Plata conducted a pilot project titled “Persons with Disabilities, the Exercise of their Legal Capacity and Decision Making: Implementation of Supports in Different Contexts.” This initiative involved 16 adults with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities and applied a participatory action research framework. Some participants received assistance from “therapeutic companions” trained professionals who help support autonomy and quality of life [2]. The project aimed to document and strengthen the real-world support systems used by participants in daily life.

Regional Policy Gaps

While several South American countries have ratified the CRPD and made legislative strides, major implementation gaps remain. Brazil, for example, enacted the “Statute of the Person with Disabilities” in 2015 to improve accessibility and protect rights. However, these advancements have been concentrated in urban centers, leaving rural areas behind in infrastructure and service delivery [3].

Countries like Colombia and Uruguay have introduced employment quotas for people with disabilities in both public and private sectors, yet enforcement is often weak. Discrimination and workplace inaccessibility continue to be major barriers [3]. Even so, new programs focused on entrepreneurship among people with disabilities are gaining momentum, offering promising pathways for economic empowerment and inclusion [3].

Conclusion

South America's approach to the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities reflects a landscape in transition. While international frameworks like the CRPD and grassroots efforts have sparked progress, widespread stigma and policy gaps still hinder full inclusion. Promising initiatives especially in Colombia, Peru, and Argentina demonstrate the potential of Supported Decision-Making and community-based models to advance dignity and autonomy. Yet, for meaningful change to take root across the region, governments must strengthen policy implementation, expand rural accessibility, and invest in long-term inclusion efforts. Only then can South America fully embrace the rights of all its citizens, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Sources

[1] ps.franciscaschenone. (n.d.). Stigma Toward Persons with Intellectual Disability in South America- A Narrative Review. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/828134248/Stigma-Toward-Persons-with-Intellectual-Disability-in-South-America-A-Narrative-Review

[2] Encalada, A. V., Bialik, K., & Stober, K. (2021). Supported Decision making in South America: analysis of three countries’ experiences. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5204. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105204

[3] Admin. (2025, May 26). Advancing Disability Rights: Latin America’s journey towards Inclusive societies. KNOW-THE-ADA. https://know-the-ada.com/latin-americas-approach-to-disability-rights-and-inclusion/