The National Fund of Disabilities (Fundo Nacional de la Discapacidad, FONADIS) of the Government of Chile is the official autonomous entity responsible for providing assistance to disabled persons in the country (Chile n.d.a). It was established in 1994 under Law 19.284 on the Social Integration of Disabled Persons (Ley 19.284 de Integración Social de las Personas con Discapacidad) (ibid.). The definition of disabled persons includes individuals with visual disabilities, physical disabilities and psychological disabilities (ibid. n.d.b). The mandate of FONADIS is to contribute to the social integration of disabled persons, the equality of opportunities and the good administration of financial resources available to disabled persons (ibid. n.d.a). Accordingly, FONADIS has to finance (totally or partially) plans, programs, projects and technical support for disabled persons (ibid.).

FONADIS offers different types of benefits to assist persons with disabilities, such as the Invalidity Assistance Pension (Pensión Assistencial de Inválidez, PASIS) under which individuals who are 18 years of age or older can receive a minimum monthly allowance of 32,713 pesos [CAN $66.77 (Bank of Canada 28 Apr. 2003)] (ibid. n.d.c). The FONADIS also offers a Unique Family Allowance (Subsidio Único Familiar, SUF) for parents or tutors of children with disabilities, under which an allowance of 3,155 pesos [CAN $6.44 (Bank of Canada 28 Apr. 2003)] can be received (ibid. n.d.d). The minimum wage in Chile is roughly 111,500 peso [CAN $227.57 (Bank of Canada 28 Apr. 2003)] (Country Reports 2002 2003).

To be eligible for those benefits a person must be registered in the National Register of Disabilities (Registro Nacional de la Decapacidad) (Chile n.d.e), and meet other conditions which vary depending on the type of benefit requested (ibid. n.d.c; ibid. n.d.d). More details on the benefits and their eligibility conditions are available on FONADIS's Website at http://www.fonadis.cl.

According to the Latin American Census of Resources for Visually Impaired Individuals (Censo Hispanoamericano de Recursos para Personas con Discapacidad Visual, CHRPD), in addition to the services provided by FONADIS, there are 11 organisations for the blind in Chile, located in 6 of the 13 regions of the country (n.d.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Bank of Canada. 28 April 2003. "Exchange Rates." http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/exchange.htm#quick [Accessed 28 Apr. 2003]

Chile. n.d.a. Fondo Nacional de la Discapacidad (FONADIS), Ministerio de Planificación y Cooperación. "Que es FONADIS." http://www.fonadis.cl/index.php?seccion=82#centro [Accessed 22 Apr. 2003]

_____ . n.d.b. Fondo Nacional de la Discapacidad (FONADIS), Ministerio de Planificación y Cooperación. "Discapacidades." http://www.fonadis.cl/index.php?seccion=5#centro [Accessed 22 Apr. 2003]

_____ . n.d.c. Fondo Nacional de la Discapacidad (FONADIS), Ministerio de Planificación y Cooperación. "Pensiones." http://www.fonadis.cl/index.php?seccion=71#centro [Accessed 22 Apr. 2003]

_____ . n.d.d. Fondo Nacional de la Discapacidad (FONADIS), Ministerio de Planificación y Cooperación. "Subsidios." http://www.fonadis.cl/index.php?seccion=70#centro [Accessed 22 Apr. 2003]

_____ . n.d.e. Fondo Nacional de la Discapacidad (FONADIS), Ministerio de Planificación y Cooperación. "¿Cómo inscribirse en el Registro Nacional de la Discapacidad?" http://www.fonadis.cl/index.php?seccion=64&articulo=499#centro [Accessed 22 Apr. 2003]

Censo Hispanoamericano de Recursos para Personas con Discapacidad Visual. n.d. "Chile." http://sapiens.ya.com/eninteredvisual/chile.hmt [Accessed 22 Apr. 2003]

Country Reports on Human Right Practices for 2002. 2003. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2002/18324.htm [Accessed 28 April 2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB databases

NEXIS

Internet sites:

Directorio de la Discapacidad

El Movimiento Asociativo de los Ciegos en America Latina

Search engine:

Google