Rio 2016: What it's like living with a disability in Brazil

The Rio Paralympics are set to showcase the talents of disabled people across the world as the Games kick off with the opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.

But everyday life for disabled people across Brazil is far from easy.

With billions of pounds having been lavished on the Olympic and Paralympic Games, there has been little to go elsewhere to help support disabled people across the country.

Speaking to ITV News, Rogerio Frajola described his struggle since fracturing his spine in a bus accident 11 years ago.

With no ramps to help him navigate far from his home in Rio, Mr Frajola is forced to walk long distances on his crutches.

He says as a disabled man he is left feeling "excluded from society".

"I was scared to walk 100 metres", he said of learning to walking on crutches.

"The pavement is so uneven; I suffer a lot; the authorities don't care and the people don't respect us".

There have been odd tangible changes in the past years, with grey sections of pavement installed in Rio's streets to help the blind.

But Brazil's minister for disabilities, acknowledges there is still plenty to improve.

"Do disabled people have difficulties in Brazil? Yes, they do", he told ITV News.

"We have come a long way but there's a lot more to achieve".

Now there is hope that the Paralympics can highlight the gaps in care for disabled people across the country.