La importación de vehículos: un beneficio desconocido para las personas con discapacidad

Abstract

This study reviews the vehicle importation process for handicapped people in Ecuador. Besides, We analyze those challenges presented to this commercial effort itself. As a brief history on this subject, it can be said that during the final years of the XIX century, the first institutions were created and most importantly, social movements  claiming justice, human rights and equality in general for the handicapped showed up. Two important road  marks came in the XX Century: By the middle of the XX Century and in charitable form, some other institutions were created, but the absence of resources and adequate conditions, made this effort just a gesture, rather than a practical law. By the 1970’s “La Federación Nacional de Organizaciones para personas con Discapacidad” (FENASEP) started functioning; however, it always was very limited. Internationally, and in parallel, the “American with Disabilities Act” (ADA) sets an example by 1990. ADA shows the “how to do it” and it is followed worldwide. ADA stablished a point of inflection where opportunity and rightness are the key words holding the legal debate. In Ecuador and in 1992 the Law on “Discapacidades” is emitted and it sets the legal base for the creation of the “Consejo Nacional de Discapacidades (CONADIS).  It is only until 2012 when a Law is elaborated in the Parlament, which embraces the laboral, social, educative and economical inclusions for people with any type of limitation. Based on this legal acquisition, a program to import motor vehicles, with modifications tailored to each disable case and supported, for first time, by the Ecuadorian Government took effect. Its goal, to facilitate a better and easier and quicker social integration for the disabled. This study investigate the challenges and ignorance about this benefit that handicapped people face within this process. In that respect, a second objective of this study is to advance somewhat, towards a more inclusive society, where disable people become fully aware of the legal rights embracing them. We will try to frame this study as a qualitative measure on the life of those who benefited from this program so far. Given these extensive goals, it has been stablished that the opinion of theoretical experts, involved in the elaboration of this law, as well as, the beneficiaries will be our data bank. In conclusion. Importing vehicles for people with impediments is in need of strategies that will facilitate their social, economical, political, and cultural integrations. Each case, differs from the next and from the one before.