About the II Meeting of Knowledge and Feelings about Disability in Latin America

From the CLACSO Working Group on Critical Studies in Disability We vehemently reject the ableist actions and epistemic violence that continue to be perpetuated against people with disabilities and their initiatives in academia. As of yesterday, the organizing committee of the Second Meeting of Knowledge and Thoughts on Disability in Latin America, entitled "What is Disability in Latin America?", to be held on April 24, 25, and 26 at the Ibero-American University, was notified by the Autonomous University of Mexico City that it would not provide Mexican Sign Language (LSM) interpretation, breaking a commitment made months ago when the event was being organized. Therefore, the Second Meeting will not have LSM interpretation, which is a fundamental and crucial support for guaranteeing comprehensive and effective accessibility for all participants.

We strongly urge all higher education institutions and other public and private entities to respect and ensure accessibility at these types of events. This is crucial to combating the gap in access to information for people with disabilities in contexts as unequal as those in Latin America.

We stand with and support those who may be affected, directly or indirectly, by the lack of interpretation in Mexican Sign Language (LSM) during the Second Meeting of Knowledge and Thoughts on Disability in Latin America. What is disability in Latin America? From this academic space, we will continue the necessary struggles to unravel the matrix of ableist oppression throughout Our America.

April 25th 2024
CLACSO Working Group
Critical studies in disability

This text expresses the position of the aforementioned Working Group and not necessarily that of the centers and institutions that make up the CLACSO international network, its Steering Committee or its Executive Secretariat.