Salamanca Statement: Progress and Fissures from NGOs of/for People with Disabilities

Abstract

This article recalls those advances in the "Salamanca Statement and Framework for
Action for special educational needs" that meant an important tool for nongovernmental
organizations of and for people with disabilities and their families –
NGOS/PWDF– in the advocacy for educational inclusion for people with disabilities.
From there, in light of the evolution of the approach to the right to inclusion, analyze
the Salamanca Statament and unravel some cracks that its letter showed, understood
as weaknesses that could seep into limited policies and practices from an integrative
and more focused approach in the deficit of people with disabilities. Fissures observed in policies and practices in Argentina as in other countries that, in addition to other factors, could become barriers to the real and quality educational inclusion of children and young people with disabilities, removing forces for their defense from the NGOS/PWDF. Therefore, it is essential that NGOS/PWDF actively participate and be truly inclusive in their policies and practices so that in a coherent and decisive way they can influence the construction of inclusive education systems and more inclusive societies. Also, networking is key.