Disability in the Chilean constitutional process

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the constitution-making process currently developing in Chile from a disability perspective, focusing particularly on the process led by the so-called ‘Constitutional Convention’. First, we describe the measures taken to include persons with disabilities in the composition of the constitutional body tasked with writing the new constitution and how persons with disabilities could participate in the construction of disability as a constitutional matter. Then, we focus on several provisions of the proposal for the new constitution of Chile elaborated by the Constitutional Convention that refer to the rights of persons with disabilities. It is argued that although the proposal drafted by the Constitutional Convention was ultimately rejected, it must not be considered irrelevant to the constitutional protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in Chile. Both for substantive and procedural reasons, the constitutional process led by the Constitutional Convention offers solid ground to advance the rights of persons with disabilities as a constitutional issue.