Statistics and inclusion of short statured people in Mexico

World Short People's Day (October 25) is a date that recognizes bodily diversity, rights, inclusion and equal opportunities for people living with this disability.

In a world where inclusion is still a goal, October 25, World Day of Short People, invites to reflect on the importance of respect and equity needed by this population.which in Mexico is legally recognized in the category of people living with a disability.

History of World Short People's Day

World Undersized People's Day is October 25. This initiative emerged in 2013 thanks to the organization Little People of America..

One of the figures in which was inspired by this event was actor William John Bertanzetti (a.k.a. Billy Barty)who died on December 23, 2000. He was an undersized man who founded Little People of America. This association was created in 1957 and has promoted equal rights for short people in the United States.

According to the Council for the Prevention and Elimination of Discrimination (Copred), this date began to be commemorated in Mexico in 2014.. In addition, on July 12, 2018 there was a reform that amended Article 4 of the General Law for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.. This was done in order to including achondroplasia or short stature as a type of disability.

Who are considered to be undersized?

Based on data from Little People of America, short people have an adult height of 1.48 meters or less. In additionthere are at least 400 different forms of skeletal dysplasia.which can affect people of short stature. However, the most common condition is achondroplasia.

One of the relevant points on the subject of short people is the following. not see this issue from a trainer's point of view or treating them as children. when they become adults.

Facts about short people in Mexico

In Mexico there are about 11,000 people with short stature according to data that the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) gave in 2018. However, there are no official figures supported by the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (Inegi).To date, there has been no census of this population group.

It is important for Inegi to carry out a demographic study on the short stature population in Mexico.The data could reveal which are the most common problems they face. In addition, would demonstrate the extent to which inclusion and equal rights are extended in all areas of life in the country.

Appropriate language to refer to this sector of the population.

On the other hand, the terms 'dwarf' and 'midget' are considered aggressive and pejorative to refer to this population. The correct way to refer to them is as short people.or, alternatively, only speak to them by name.

Employment situation of short statured people in Mexico

In the case of the labor landscape in Mexico, there are no official figures that allow us to know precisely what people of short stature are working on. However, if we take into account that to legally recognized as a type of disabilitywe can use figures from Inegi for 2020: only 38% of people over 15 with a disability were economically active..

However, there is no data that allows us to know how many people of short stature are included in the formal sector of the economy.

On the other hand, Jacob Zayas García, representative of the Somos Pequeños Veracruz civil association, explained in an interview with Xalapa Newspaper in 2023 that 80% of short people are unemployed..

"More than 80% of short people do not have a formal job, a degree, a professional development, what we seek is to eliminate discrimination, we want it to be recognized that they suffer, that they have needs."

Actions to be carried out in the work environment to achieve the inclusion of short people.

• Ensuring inclusive hiring and with equal opportunity based on the individual's physical and intellectual abilities;
• improving the accessibility of offices and workspaces for people with short stature to have mobility autonomy;
• to have a universal step in places in the office where short people may need it;
• provide medical insurance and psychological support for people of short stature;
• to guarantee spaces free of discrimination reinforced with training to raise awareness of this issue among workers.

What is the universal step and what is its relevance for short people?

The universal step is a platform through which short people can have equal access to certain areas of the market. that would normally be out of reach.

Ideally, the Mexican Official Standard NOM-001-STPS-2008, Buildings, premises, facilities and areas in the workplace - Safety conditions.The standard for staircases is the standard for staircases. If we take this standard as a basis, we can conclude that a universal step needs these characteristics:

• can be one- or two-step;
• the banks of the steps should be rounded;
• the footprints of the steps in its straight sections need to have a minimum length of 25 centimeters. and the superelevations should not exceed a height of 23 centimeters.;
• must be able to support at least 50 kilograms;
• can have railings on the sides to provide greater security;
• can be fixed or mobile.

In Mexico, the initiative to have universal steps in government offices and public spaces has already been introduced in congresses of various states such as Sonora, Baja California, Coahuila, Michoacán, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Querétaro and Mexico City.. In addition, its implementation has already begun in Coahuila, Michoacán, Querétaro and Nayarit..

Ideally, the aim is to make these steps a reality not only in government offices, but also in shopping malls, banks, schools and in any other space. where people of short stature are located.

Did you know these interesting facts about short people?

Sources: Government of Mexico (1, 2), Copred, CNDH, Inegi, El Financiero, The world of law, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare y Legislative Information System

Research and editing by José Manuel Ríos and Rodrigo Hernández