Learning Disabilities advice & information centre

Learning disability services in Puebla- putting the user in contact

The advice and information centre on the theme of learning disability in Puebla, Mexico

Learning Disabilities advice & information centre - Puebla, Mexico

Mexico Child Link funds an advice and information centre on the theme of learning disabilities in Puebla City. This is a free service directed towards parents, professionals, and other organizations working in the field of learning disabilities.

Education on learning disabilities is important in Mexico due to the lack of understanding in the general population and even amongst some of the medical profession. Many people see the child with learning disabilities as a punishment from God. Another misconception is that learning disabilities can be "cured" and mothers go from doctor to doctor looking for a solution to their problem. It is sometimes difficult to convince a parent that learning disability is a permanent condition and that their child needs special education or therapy rather than medication.

The main aim of the advice and information centre is to put the users in contact with existing learning disability services in the Puebla area.
The advice centre worker has recently started outreach work in order to make contact with more potential beneficiaries. The involves working in schools, and other community based organizations. The advice centre worker has visited the organisations which provide services to people with learning disability, to determine the type and quality of services available and to compile a register of these services. This also provided an opportunity to explain in person, the aims and objectives of the Centre to governmental and non-governmental organisations, including schools. Effective working relationships have been established with a number of agencies, including the Puebla State Commission for Human Rights. An interview format was designed to enable the Worker to assess user needs and thus determine the most suitable service for referral. The Centre has compiled reference material, which is easily accessible to families (taking into account that many people cannot read very well.) This includes a video library. The Centre has access to the resources of the Information Centre at CONFE's headquarters in Mexico City. Flyers and information leaflets advertising the services of the Centre have been distributed to government agencies, NGO's and in residential areas, shops and markets in Puebla, Atlixco and Cholula. Taking into account the low circulation numbers of newspapers and poor levels of literacy, most publicity has been by radio.

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