Colombian Context of Disability

It is important to highlight the Colombian demographic context. National statistics revealed, after the 2005 census to collect data on disability, that there are over 2.6 million disabled persons; that is, approximately 6.5% of the total national population.

According to the data from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (Dane) ¹, it can be inferred that: 43.5% of the identified population with disabilities are people with visual disabilities; 44% are people with physical disabilities; 30% are people with hearing disabilities; 12% have cognitive disabilities, 10% have psychosocial disabilities; and 19% are people with other types of disabilities.

Note #1

National Department of Statistics of Colombia.

Return

The Colombian demography divides the country into different regions. The Western Region has the greatest rate of people with disabilities: 44.5% of the total national population. The protagonists within this region are: Antioquia with 17.1% of people with disabilities over the total national population, Valle with 10.49%, Nariño with 5.12%, and Cauca with 3.89%.

The Eastern Central Region has 33.44% of the population with disabilities over the total national population. The protagonists in this region are Bogotá D.C. with 10.68%, Cundinamarca with 4.80%, and Santander with 4.55%. It is worth mentioning that Boyacá, Huila, Tolima, and the North of Santander are above the limit of 3%.

The Pacific Region was not included in a national census valid for the statistical process. However, according to the data gathered from the technical records of the National Planning Department (Dnp), it is the region with the greatest amount of unsatisfied basic needs.

Then there is the Atlantic Region, with 18.5%, whose protagonists are Atlántico with 4.2% of the population, and Bolívar with 3.82%. La Orinoquía and Amazonia show a lower rate of people with disabilities: 2.26% and 1.30%.

For the purposes of this project, three areas were established to monitor the individual experiences: the Central Area, the Coffee Triangle Area, and the Pacific Area. This is because the departments with the greatest number of people with disabilities are located in these areas. The most relevant information gathered from the cities that participated in the study is condensed below, to provide further background. The data were drawn from the reports and applications of the National Planning Department.

2.1.1 Central Area

Bogotá, Capital City

With an area of 24,210 km² (9,348 sq mi), a total municipal population of 7,467,804 by the year 2011, a population in the capital of 7,451,718, 48.2%, 51.8%, the percentage of people with unsatisfied basic needs (UBN) is 9.2%. 47.75% are men, and 52.3% are women, according to 2010 figures. Displaced people in Bogotá are 291,121, according to a report from December, 2010. According to ethnicity, the indigenous population is 15,032; the black population is 96,523; the gypsy population is 523; the Raizal population is 1,357; and the Palenquera population is 7. The rate of median gross coverage in education by 2010 was 86.8%, and the total investment in education in Bogotá is 1,985,560 million pesos annually (per 2010 figures). In regards to healthcare, the members of the subsidy plan in Bogotá are 1,355,934, and the members of the contribution plan are 4,948.089. The State invested 1,619,749 million pesos in healthcare in 2010. The city's aqueduct network covers 98.7%, and the sewage network covers 98.1%. The total investment in drinking water and basic sanitation was 106,357 million pesos.

Tolima (Ibague)

With an area of 23,562 km² (9,097 sq mi), the total population in its capital, Ibague, is 532,034 (per 2011 figures): 38.2% of the total departmental population. 48.6% of the population are men, 51.4% are women. The population with UBN, per 2011 figures, is 3%. According to ethnicity, the indigenous population is 3,408; the black population is 5,683; the gypsy population shows no records; and the Raizal population is 35. The rate of median gross coverage in education by 2010 was 86%, and the total investment in education from Bogotá is 141.261 million pesos annually (per 2010 figures). In regards to healthcare, the members of the subsidy plan in Tolima are 150,227, and the members of the contribution plan are 285,896. The State invested 70,911 million pesos in healthcare in 2010. The city's aqueduct network covers 96.2%, and the sewage network covers 94.5%. The total investment in drinking water and basic sanitation was 18,836 million pesos.

2.1.2 Coffee Triangle Area

Medellin (Antioquia)

The municipality has an area of 387 km² (150 sq mi), and the department has an area of 63,612 km² (24,561 sq mi). Per 2011 figures, the total population in the municipality is 2,368,282, and the department's population is 6,143,709. The municipal seat has most of the population 2,335,568, whereas within the department, the population in urban areas is 4,761,383. The percentage of people with UBN is 12.4% in the municipal seats, and 15.9% throughout the department. According to ethnicity, Medellin has an indigenous population of 2,984, which is within the average for municipal seats, and the black and mulatto population are, altogether, 137,715.

The scant Rom (gypsy) population is 1, and the Raizal population is 248. The rate of median gross coverage in education, per 2010 figures, is 104.5%, and the total investment in education at the municipal level is 657,786 million pesos annually (per 2010 figures). In regards to healthcare, the members of the subsidy plan in Medellin are 642,096. The State invested 400,170 million pesos in healthcare in 2010. The sewage network in Medellin covers 37.4% (per 2010 figures), and the annual investment by 2010 was 113,761 million pesos.

Armenia (Antioquia)

It has an area of 111 km² (43 sq mi), and the total municipal population is 4,578 (per 2011 figures). The municipal seat has a small percentage of the total population: 1,653 people. The percentage of people with UBN is 39.8% in the municipal seats. According to ethnicity, Armenia does not have indigenous population; the black population is 2,984, and the mulatto population is 199. There is no Rom (gypsy) or Raizal population. The rate of median gross coverage in education, per 2010 figures, is 58%, and the total investment in education at the municipal level is 416 million pesos annually (per 2010 figures). In regards to healthcare, the members of the subsidy plan in Armenia are 3,313, and the members of the contribution plan are 1,321. The State invested 1,321 million pesos in healthcare in 2011. The sewage network in Armenia covers 72.2% (per 2010 figures), and the annual investment by 2010 was 113,761 million pesos.

Pereira (Risaralda)

The municipality has an area of 702 km² (272 sq mi), and the department has an area of 4,140 km² (1,599 sq mi). Per 2011 figures, the total population in the municipality is 459,690, and the department's population is 930,523. The municipal seat has most of the population: 386,120 people. The percentage of people with UBN is 13.4% in the municipal seats, and 17.5% throughout the department. Per 2010 figures, 47.75% are men and 52.3% are women. According to ethnicity, Pereira has an indigenous population of 3,115, which is within the average for municipal seats, and the black and mulatto population are, altogether, 24,317.

There is no Rom (gypsy) population, and the Raizal population is 36. The rate of median gross coverage in education, per 2010 figures, is 112.3%, and the total investment in education at the municipal level is 152,861 million pesos annually (per 2010 figures).

In regards to healthcare, the members of the subsidy plan in Pereira are 148,107, and the members of the contribution plan are 286,069. The State invested 52,579 million pesos in healthcare in 2010. The sewage network in Pereira covers 94.7% (per 2010 figures), and the annual investment by 2010 was 6,297 million pesos.

2.1.3 Pacific Area

Choco Quibdo

It has an area of 3,075 km² (1,182 sq mi) with a total municipal population of 130,176 by 2011. The population in the Municipal seat is 105,405: 49.6% are men, and 50.4% are women. The population with UBN, per 2011 figures, is 80.9%. According to ethnicity, the indigenous population is 1,504; the black, mulatto, and Afro-Colombian population is, altogether, 99,986; the gypsy population is 1; and the Raizal population is 21.

The rate of median gross coverage in education, per 2010 figures, is 104.9%, and the total investment in education in Quibdó is 72,506 million pesos annually (per 2010 figures). In regards to healthcare, the members of the subsidy plan in Tolima are 150,227, and the members of the contribution plan are 285,896. The State invested 70,911 million pesos in healthcare in 2010. The city's aqueduct network covers 96.2%, and the sewage network covers 94.5%. The total investment in drinking water and basic sanitation was 18,836 million pesos.

2.2 Predominant Approach to Disability

Even when there are great advancements in internal regulations which promote a social approach based on rights, it is clear that, in Colombia, the handout mentality and a medical rehabilitation approach are the predominant views. In practice, there is a close relationship between the concepts of disease and disability underlying the existing and implemented programs and actions across the country. These still have the intention of "normalizing" disabled people, instead of developing a set of specific adjustments to the environment which are necessary for people with disabilities to be included and have actual participation. This is also evidenced through practices such as Teletón and other similar actions carried out across the country, which stick to the classic approach based on charity that seeks to obtain resources, out of pity, to be used for health, rehabilitation, and habilitation purposes exclusively.

In terms of organizations of persons with disability, those with hearing, physical, and visual disabilities had been the more recognized, historically and up to less than a decade ago. After the CRPD process, some post-convention organizations related to cognitive and psychosocial disabilities have emerged and developed in Colombia. This has strengthened the motto "Nothing About Us Without Us", while including all types of disabilities.

top