Protesters demand equal opportunities for disabled Costa Ricans

A hundred physically and mentally disabled protesters rallied Monday in front of Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly in San José to pressure lawmakers into including them in public consultation processes.

The group marched from the capital’s Central Park chanting slogans and carrying signs demanding participation in the legislative process.

“We are here to demand that Law 7,600 [Law for Equal Opportunity for Disabled Persons] be enforced. We demand the respect of our rights and better conditions for disabled people,” protester Dulce María Avendaño said.

Demonstrators said that procedures by which laws are made in Costa Rica are discriminatory and violate equality principles.

They also said that a lack of jobs and poor access to public transportation are ongoing problems that have not been resolved, despite the law.

Representatives of the groups also said they will present a bill aimed at punishing companies that do not hire people with disabilities.