From excluded individuals to rights-endowed citizens: the new approaches to disability

Abstract

The new models for understanding persons with disabilities and their needs come with an expansion of their rights. This article discusses the new approaches, the changes produced in recent years, and the upcoming challenges posed by the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which, in Argentina, is on equal par with the Constitution. Additionally, the article mentions the incorporation of the World Health Organization’s new multi-dimensional classification of disability, which takes into account the impairments suffered by persons along with any limitations on their activities and constraints on participation. The article discusses quality of life models and supports as guidelines for professional action. Finally, the article mentions some consequences of these new approaches for the relevant disciplines in general and for mental health in particular.