Students with Disabilities in Chile

Abstract

The law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities in several sectors or the provision of other state services. Even with such laws, there have been reports that people with disabilities do suffer from de facto discrimination. However, the government does not allocate sufficient resources to adequately and effectively enforce these provisions. Most public buildings did not comply with legal accessibility mandates. The public transportation system, although improving over recent years particularly outside Santiago, did not adequately provide accessibility for persons with disabilities. As a result, while abroad, students with disabilities may find it less accommodating and will find accessibility to be different than in the United States.