Chapter 8. Take care of yourself, caregiver! Psychosocial project for the inclusion of caregivers of children and adolescents with functional diversity

This chapter focuses on the situation of children and adolescents with functional diversity in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, analyzing the barriers they face in access to health and education. It highlights the formulation of the Departmental Public Policy on Disability Valle del Cauca 2019-2029, which seeks to guarantee their rights, recognizing disability as an interaction between individual characteristics and environmental barriers. The text stresses the importance of adopting the notion of “functional diversity” as an advance towards inclusion and equity, although the official use of the term “persons with disabilities” is recognized.

The chapter presents data on the prevalence of disability in this population in Valle del Cauca, showing a higher incidence in children and male adolescents. The underreporting of cases is questioned, which hinders access to early detection, assessment and treatment services. In addition, it is noted that most of this population belongs to low socioeconomic strata, which limits their ability to meet their health needs independently. The schooling of children and adolescents with disabilities in the department is low, with high percentages without access to education or with difficulties to go beyond primary school, and a minimal proportion that reaches higher education.

In view of these gaps, the chapter highlights the need to create lines and programs that promote economic and personal development, as well as labor inclusion of persons with disabilities and their families. It advocates an inter-sectoral approach that allows the articulation of actions between the government, civil society, the private sector and the academic sector to meet the needs and prevent the problems that affect the quality of life of this population. Finally, the text introduces the context that inspires the creation of the “Artistic Inclusion Laboratories” program at Bellas Artes -Institución Universitaria del Valle, as an initiative that wants to promote the talents of these children and young people in cultural spaces of the city.