The program for social inclusion of people with disabilities, called Mision Jose Gregorio Hernandez (a legendary ‘people’s doctor’) has a permanent presence in 16 states of Venezuela.

Since the revolution started, Venezuela has implemented a large number of such ‘missions’ including education missions- achieving 100% literacy, health missions- setting up doctors in the community, food and self sufficiency missions, culture, infrastructure, and so on.

In the states of Miranda, Delta Amacuro, Barinas, Zulia, Vargas, Aragua, Carabobo, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Trujillo, Nueva Esparta, Anzoátegui, Sucre, Monagas, Bolivar and the municipality of Libertador in Carcas, 229,468 people with disabilities have benefited from integral attention, and have received essential equipment and constant visits from specialists.
The work of these specialists is not limited to medical diagnostics, but also involves humanitarian help which includes the family members, and eliminating risk factors such as economic state or the structures of their houses. The final aim is complete elimination of social discrimination.

Talking to ABN, Cesar Augusto Delgado, a person with a visual disability, said, “Never before have we been thought of in this way, and now we are going from being socially excluded to true Venezuelan citizens.”

The Jose Gregorio Hernandez Mission is an extension of the Mission Barrio Adentro, which has brought health care to marginalized communities across Venezuela with the help of Cuban doctors as part of the bilateral cooperation accords between Cuba and Venezuela. It began in March of this year. Teams of 4, consisting of a genetic disease specialist, a Barrio Adentro doctor, a psychology student and a youth worker, supported by the local community, systematically assessed the members of the community to work out the needs and treatment required for people with physical, visual, mental, and auditory disabilities.

The mission helps to fulfil the requirements of a law passed on November 16, 2006, requiring that disabled people hold at least 5% of jobs in companies within 3 years.

I remember the first time I came here, at a large conference in Caracas, a deaf person spoke through a translator, and at the end everyone clapped in sign language- everyone knew how to do it. Sometimes, at work and in the street, it seems to me that there are a lot more deaf and blind people here. But I think its more that they are participating more in society, and are therefore more visible.