The context of the inclusion of people with disabilities in the training course for Officers of the Fire Department and Military Police of Maranhão

Abstract

This article deals with the issue of the inclusion of people with disabilities in the Training Course for Officers of the Fire Department (CFO-BM) and the Military Police of Maranhão (CFO-PM), at the State University of Maranhão (UEMA). In this context, the main objective of this study is to analyze the main challenges to be overcome so that people with disabilities have the right to access, remain in and complete the CFO-BM and the Military Police of Maranhão at UEMA. In order to achieve the proposed objective, an exploratory, descriptive study was carried out with a qualitative approach. The participants were 04 disabled cadets from the CFO-BM; 02 aspiring officers from the Fire Department and 10 disabled cadets from the CFO-PM. The data collection instruments included semi-structured interviews. The research findings reveal that the BM and PM officer training courses are adjusting to issues involving the physical aptitudes of people with disabilities, their needs for specialized educational care and/or adjustments, their potential and vulnerabilities. Cadets with disabilities are bringing visibility to the human potential of people with disabilities. The main challenges to be overcome are the elimination of prejudice and ableism, as well as the lack of accessibility and attitudinal barriers. The inclusion of people with disabilities in the military contributes to the deconstruction of exclusionary paradigms in relation to disability. There is still a long way to go, but the first step has already been taken, let's wait for better outcomes.