Vecinos y Rehabilitation: Assessing the Needs of Indigenous People with Disabilities in Mexico. Final Report [English Version] = Vecinos y Rehabilitation: Evaluacion de las Necesidades de los Indigenas con Discapacidades en Mexico. Reporte Final [Version en Espanol]

Available in English and Spanish, this document reports on a survey of the circumstances and needs of disabled indigenous people in Oaxaca state, Mexico. Assisted by a Oaxaca disabilities consumer organization and an advisory committee of government officials, health care educators, community service providers, and indigenous people with disabilities, U.S. researchers conducted the project to determine the feasibility of research and training projects for disabled indigenous people in Mexico and to initiate information exchange in Mexico involving experts in rehabilitation and Native peoples. A culturally sensitive survey instrument was developed and administered to 232 indigenous adults and children with disabilities in rural and urban areas of Oaxaca state. Results indicate a great need for education, rehabilitation, and employment. The majority of adult respondents had no education or had attended only elementary school; most school-age children with disabilities were not in school. Rehabilitation services were much more available in urban areas than in rural areas and involved medical rehabilitation or physical therapy. Vocational rehabilitation services did not exist. However, respondents indicated great interest in the development of community education programs, family education programs, and vocational rehabilitation. Most adult male respondents, but only a third of adult females, were employed, often marginally. Recommendations are offered for future international research. Contains 26 references. Appendices include a conference program, three presentations, and a summary of roundtables at the Dia Internacional del Discapacitado conference held in December 1995. (SV)