Web Site Design by Eva Angermann
Why we do this
In Mexico, there is very little acceptance of people with disabilities and very little incorporation of this marginalized group into society. Public schools are not open to children with disabilities; public spaces and work places in general are not accessible. There are no ramps or braille in public schools, bathrooms have doorways that are too narrow to acomodate a wheelchair, and there are very few parking spaces reserved for the disabled (and for those spaces that do exist there is no enforcement and so are very often used by people who don’t need them.)
There is very little public transportation accessible to people with disabilities, and very often taxi drivers refuse to pick up a person who is using a wheelchair because they don’t want to have to carry the wheelchair or the person or for fear that the person may dirty the car. It is very difficult for blind people to walk through the city because car drivers have no respect and there are no traffic lights that include sound signals. Another difficulty for the blind as well as wheelchair users is when shop owners place their signs protruding out into the sidewalks, forcing people to step down into the street to get around. This is especially difficult when street vendors block the few ramps that do exist with their wares.
As a result of these issues, a disabled person in Oaxaca often feels that there is no point in continuing. As it is so difficult to go out about the town, many feel that it is better to just stay at home. Although an estimated 10% of the population lives with some type of disability, a “normal” healthy person rarely meets or sees a member of society who has a disability. In 1995, the government of Oaxaca amended its state constitution with a new law that protects the rights of people with disabilities and the elderly. To this day, over 10 years later, this law is not enforced.
This is why we feel our work at Divertigranja it so important. The children who visit our zoo experience much more than learning about animals and the environment: non-disabled kids come away with an idea of how difficult life can be for people with disabilities and an idea of the injustices inherent in society. It is our hope that children who are disabled leave with a feeling of acceptance and empowerment.
In Mexico, there is very little acceptance of people with disabilities and very little incorporation of this marginalized group into society. Public schools are not open to children with disabilities; public spaces and work places in general are not accessible. There are no ramps or braille in public schools, bathrooms have doorways that are too narrow to acomodate a wheelchair, and there are very few parking spaces reserved for the disabled (and for those spaces that do exist there is no enforcement and so are very often used by people who don’t need them.)
There is very little public transportation accessible to people with disabilities, and very often taxi drivers refuse to pick up a person who is using a wheelchair because they don’t want to have to carry the wheelchair or the person or for fear that the person may dirty the car. It is very difficult for blind people to walk through the city because car drivers have no respect and there are no traffic lights that include sound signals. Another difficulty for the blind as well as wheelchair users is when shop owners place their signs protruding out into the sidewalks, forcing people to step down into the street to get around. This is especially difficult when street vendors block the few ramps that do exist with their wares.
As a result of these issues, a disabled person in Oaxaca often feels that there is no point in continuing. As it is so difficult to go out about the town, many feel that it is better to just stay at home. Although an estimated 10% of the population lives with some type of disability, a “normal” healthy person rarely meets or sees a member of society who has a disability. In 1995, the government of Oaxaca amended its state constitution with a new law that protects the rights of people with disabilities and the elderly. To this day, over 10 years later, this law is not enforced.
This is why we feel our work at Divertigranja it so important. The children who visit our zoo experience much more than learning about animals and the environment: non-disabled kids come away with an idea of how difficult life can be for people with disabilities and an idea of the injustices inherent in society. It is our hope that children who are disabled leave with a feeling of acceptance and empowerment.
