Recent initiatives have been formed to create federations of disability associations regardless of the type of disability served, as well as smaller federations of associations focused on particular types of disability. Associations working for disability rights are typically self-funded, although some receive financial support from the Colombian government and/or international organizations.

Some awareness-raising campaigns have been mounted in Colombia by the National Television Committee, Colmundo radio, and regional radio and television programs sponsored by the disability community. One especially important awareness-raising tool is the product of the news agency called DISNNET PRESS. DISNNET distributes an e-newsletter Monday through Friday. Thousands of people both with and without disabilities receive the newsletter through e-mail.⁸¹ Its mission is to disseminate information about disability-related issues and to raise awareness of the human rights of persons with disabilities.

In summary, barriers to effective disability action include lack of political will and bureaucratic red-tape. Despite being recognized as a vulnerable population, people with disabilities are not a priority group. Cultural norms such as the attitude of the general population regarding the issue of difference present additional problems as do issues such as the lack of adequate human resources within civil society. General organizations are often unaware of the issues facing people with disabilities, while disability organizations lack the necessary organization for effective advocacy.

There are a handful of officials at various levels of the Colombian government who are conscious of the problematic situation that persons with disabilities face everyday. However, many of them see disability action as very costly and therefore not a priority. For example, it has taken almost two years to create a decree regulating the accessibility provisions of Law 361 because the removal of architectural barriers is not seen as economically viable. Thus progress is slow.

81. "'DISNNET' el periodismo a favor de la inclusion social" ['DISNNET'media in favor of social inclusion], Step by Step Foundation interview with Hernando Ayala Melgarejo, Cyberpasos -Interviews 2, no.10 (22 May 2002), http://www.pasoapaso.comve/cyber/cyberpasos_archivo_ entrevistas_disnnet.htm.