CHALLENGES OF INCLUSION: SOCIAL BARRIERS AND THE EXPERIENCE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF JUAZEIRO DO NORTE CEARÁ

Abstract

People with disabilities (PWD) are a heterogeneous group, composed of individuals with various types of impairments, whether physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, auditory, or visual. Society itself creates problems and barriers for people with disabilities, rendering them incapable and at a disadvantage in social performance. Therefore, the aim of this research was to identify the main social barriers experienced by people with disabilities in the city of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. This field study used a quantitative approach using the inclusion criteria of parents or guardians of people with disabilities, both genders, regularly enrolled and attending school. A population of 100 parents and/or guardians of people with disabilities and global disorders, a non-probabilistic sample, was used. The exclusion criteria were those who did not reside in the city of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. The instrument used was a questionnaire containing 13 objective questions and 3 sociodemographic questions. Data analysis was based on a frequency distribution. It is concluded that most parents have little knowledge about social barriers, and that most of their children have Autistic Aspect Disorder (ASD). They are dissatisfied with the accessibility of their municipality, and some parents are unfamiliar with the Brazilian Inclusion Law. It is of utmost importance that this research serve as a basis for future studies, providing a means for discussing the importance of understanding social barriers, capable of disseminating qualified information, reducing the lack and fragmentation of knowledge about these barriers.