ABSTRACT

Nicaragua is unique in that it coordinated much of its social services through grassroots organizations and attracted a large number of international NGOs to do the same. The Revolution in Nicaragua was executed by a coalition of Catholic Christian-based communities, political parties, unions and student groups, Despite the re-election of Daniel Ortega, Sandinista President of Nicaragua, the Sandinista government has embraced the international disability rights approach recognizing all people with disabilities (PWD) as equal. When the Sandinista government was unable to provide basic services within the context of the Contra civil war and an economic blockade imposed by the US, organizations were mobilized to voluntarily implement needed services. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) creates universal rights for all PWD, and, as such, it does not privilege people who acquired their disability as a result of conflict. International organizations have already sought to transition to universal services and have encountered problems.