A avaliação da deficiência para acesso ao benefício de prestação continuada : um processo em construção

Abstract

This research aims to investigate how professionals, social workers and medical experts evaluate the new model of social and medical assessment, implemented in June 2009, to assess the people with disabilities who are eligible for Continuous Cash Benefit, in order to identify whether it is helping to provide a more complete evaluation of their disability. The investigation, done with a wide approach, covers professionals, social workers and medical experts employed by INSS (National Institute of Social Security) in Pelotas, RS, Brazil. We have used bibliographic and documental research as well as personal interviews. The survey sample consists of 15 professionals, 8 medical experts and 7 social workers, who work with the new model of disability evaluation. We approach on how professionals, social workers and medical experts evaluate the new model of social and medical assessment, implemented in June 2009. The questions that guide the present dissertation concern the way literature presents the concept of disability, the Continuous Cash Benefit and the new model of socialand medical evaluation of disability; how the disability evaluation occurs through the ntegration of medical and social assessment, which is necessary for giving access to the Continuous Cash Benefit; and on how professionals, social workers and medical experts see the new model of disability evaluation. The study shows that, since the introduction of the new evaluation model, a significant advance in disability evaluation to access CCB occurred, and that a more comprehensive assessment on disability has been put into practice. Previously, only the biological aspects were considered, but through the new model we seek to evaluate the biological, environmental and social aspects. We have made an important reflection on the new assessment model, on the assessment tools and its operation, and on the understanding that professionals have concerning disabilities. We realize how the evaluation change has been significant and we point out some elements that need to be reviewed and improved regarding the evaluation model and its implementation, as well as to the understanding of the concept of disability in order to understand it as a type of inequality that is the result of both individual and social disadvantages. The evaluation of disabilities, in order to access CCB, stands out as an important process which is still being developed.