The Times reports on the abysmal conditions investigators found in Mexican institutions for people with disabilities. These facilities are little more than warehouses, as documented to disturbing effect in the accompanying video. The article describes how little government funding the institutions receive for basic supplies like toilet paper. Many of the residents are neglected and overmedicated with psychotropic medications. Some are even lobotomized. It’s a depressing reminder that international agreements and conventions on the rights of people with disabilities cannot improve conditions overnight in many parts of the developing world. The sad fact is that people with disabilities will continue to be victims of such medieval treatment until governments have been sufficiently shamed into doing better by their people.
