UNMET NEEDS OF DISABLED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

Key words: Disability, Legislation, Children, Networking

In 1992 a new law established policies and interventions to improve the care of disabled people. The implementation of the law was hampered by the scarcity of resources, the excess of discretionary role attributed to local authorities, burocracy and lack of flexibility in the provision of services. Health professionals, including practicing paediatricians, must play a proactive role in ensuring the application of the principles of the law. They should provide information to patients and their families and promote, even on a single-case basis, effective networking among the various professionals involved.