Brazil's Carnival breaks barriers for special needs kids

RIO DE JANEIRO — One of Rio de Janeiro's most famous and traditional samba schools will let special needs children dance and sing alongside other children this year.

The move by Portela on Tuesday follows similar decisions in recent years by at least three other major schools.

Some 16 samba schools in Brazil have children's groups that parade during the world-famous Carnival bash that kicks off this weekend.

However, traditionally those children's groups have had an estimated 800 kids with disabilities parade in groups by themselves.