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DI is not a rocket science
As organisations of people with intellectual disabilities, and other advocates, we spend a lot of time demanding deinstitutionalisation.We also need to give time to working with those who make it happen. It’s about demonstrating to those responsible that deinstitutionalisation is doable.It has been done.It is being done.It can and will be done. Deinstitutionalisation is not…
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So this just happened
We are at a “diversity and inclusion” event organised by what is considered an elite European institution.Speakers say “diversity” and “inclusion” a lot. Nobody mentions people with disabilities (except when Disability Rights Strategy is listed), unless I missed something. Towards the end, my colleague asks about disability policies, and the next question is about disability…
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“How to change things when change is hard”
Hey Milan, would you recommend any books on deinstitutionalisation, I was asked recently. And sure enough, I shared some reading I find useful and interesting. But I didn’t mention the two books that I consider the most important, and use almost daily in my work. Neither of them is about deinstitutionalisation. But both are. Take…
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Hey Milan: What do you think works in advocacy and communication?
I’ve been talking with some organisations looking to improve their communication and strategies promoting deinstitutionalisation and community-based support over the past couple of months. Asked about my experience in what works and what doesn’t, there are 3 ideas behind what we try to do and I think works. Maybe you’d be interested to hear about…
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In conversation with… Podcasts on Inclusion Europe Radio
To tell about different stories, experiences, and perspectives on the work we are doing on Inclusion Europe. That is, broadly ;-), the aim of a new podcast series we started in April 2022 at Inclusion Europe Radio. The conversations are hosted by Soufiane El Amrani and me (sometimes, I go it alone). Listen to the…
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European Commission’s Guidance on independent living and inclusion in the community
Today (11/12/2024), I had the pleasure to open a seminar on Guidance on independent living and inclusion in the community of persons with disabilities in the context of EU funding. The European Commission document is an important step in promoting the right of people with disabilities to live independently and to be included in their communities.…
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It seems that deinstitutionalisation has become an exercise in wordsmithing
I was invited to speak during a workshop of the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and social affairs. The workshop was about Deinstitutionalisation and independent living of persons with disabilities. The workshop, chaired by Li Andersson MEP, took place on 2 December 2024 in Brussels. Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of…
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Guidance, report, judgement
“Giving effect to independent living involves redirecting investments and resources from institutional settings and services to accessible and non-segregated places of residence, community-based services and support for persons with disabilities.” The European Commission released a Notice on “Guidance on independent living and inclusion in the community of persons with disabilities in the context of EU funding”. The Guidance…
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“Viltis” is hope in Lithuanian 🇱🇹
I just learned that, reading about Inclusion Europe member in Lithuania, called Viltis.I always used the name, not knowing it had any particular meaning. What I did know is Viltis has been doing important work.For 35 years now. “During the Soviet period, children with intellectual disabilities were brought up in institutions in harsh conditions. When…
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Kudos where kudos’ due
We all know how hard it is to get your message outside of your usual circles. And how valuable it is, too. I’m so impressed seeing this from our member in Slovenia: A cover story, 3-page interview in a supplement to one of the daily newspapers. The interview is with Mateja de Reya, director of…