Children's perceptions of city uses from occupational therapy workshops in social assistance

Abstract

There are many children who live in situations of social vulnerability today in Brazil, and, consequently, their Right to the City, understood as a social right, has been violated. This scenario demonstrates the importance of  interdisciplinary practice  to minimize inequalities and guarantee the rights of this population through diverse knowledge. This research aims to analyze the perceptions of socially vulnerable children who are assisteed by the  basic social protection service in Brazil about the city and territory in which they live. A qualitative methodology was used, through “activity workshops”,  technique  of Occupational Therapy in the social area. Social Brazilian Occupational Therapy has consolidated work with populations in situations of social vulnerability, including  using territorial by children  in order to  increase autonomy and social participation of individuals  and collectives. As  finds, the research showed the limited use of the territory by children, due to social, economic and spatial obstacles. This demonstrates the need for services, such as social assistance, to guarantee and reflect on the importance of the rights and use of cities and public spaces for children.