Millions of Brazilians live with a disability. Inclusion means going to school with everyone else, ramps, accessible transport and the income guaranteed by the BPC benefit. In 2020, a decree encouraging segregated classes and schools was suspended by the Supreme Court; in 2023 it was revoked.
With the left
The 2015 Brazilian Inclusion Law guarantees accessibility, inclusive education and protection from discrimination. The BPC benefit ensures one minimum wage for low-income people with disabilities. In 2023, the segregated education decree was revoked.
With the far right
In 2020, the Bolsonaro government’s Decree 10,502 encouraged separate classes and schools for students with disabilities. The Supreme Court suspended it for weakening inclusive education.
What is at stake
Inclusion is not a favor: it means studying, working and moving around alongside everyone else. Segregating removes people with disabilities from shared life.
It made the news
Not opinion: the press recorded it. Stories showing what the far right did or tried to do on this issue.
- STF suspende decreto de Bolsonaro que segrega pessoas com deficiências nas escolasThe Supreme Court blocked Bolsonaro's decree encouraging separate schools and classes for people with disabilities.Read the story
- Ministro Dias Toffoli suspende decreto da Política Nacional de Educação EspecialJustice Toffoli suspended Decree 10,502/2020 for undermining inclusion of students with disabilities in regular schools.Read the story
- Entidades comemoram revogação do 'decreto da exclusão'Bolsonaro's decree provided for separate classes and schools and was revoked in 2023.Read the story
Sources
Where the data on this page comes from.
- Lei 13.146/2015
The Brazilian Law on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.
- STF
The Supreme Court suspends the Bolsonaro government's Decree 10,502/2020 on special education.
- Agência Brasil
On his first day in office in 2023, Lula revoked the decree that segregated students with disabilities.