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.
As you’ll know, there are at least 1.5 million people with disabilities in Europe segregated in large institutions.
And many of those not in institutions live in isolation, without adequate support, at risk of being institutionalised at some point in their lives.
All this despite decades of advocacy and research.
Despite strategies and commitments from countries to end the harmful practice of segregating and isolating people with disabilities in institutions.
We welcome the Guidance, which comes as one of the results of the EU Disability Rights Strategy.
As European Disability Forum said:
“We believe it will be a crucial tool in reducing EU funds supporting institutions.
It represents a clear commitment to transition away from this outdated form of care.”
The Guidance comes on the heels of years of work by disability organisations, children’s rights organisations and others.
Work advocating for change, developing tools and highlighting changes in the right direction.
More will be needed to make the most of the opportunity this Guidance represents.
- More trainings at national level to ensure people understand and implement.
- More examination of the work done.
- More collaboration of different kinds of organisations.
I also said some words on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities Inclusion Europe:
- Who represent large part of institutionalised population.
- Who, along with those with complex support needs, are often overlooked.
As we all know, despite the strategies, projects, rhetoric – and money spent – the overall number of people who are institutionalised does not decrease.
I am particularly interested in what the Guidance has to say about this.
For example, it says countries should have a strategy for deinstitutionalisation, prepared in consultation with persons with disabilities.
The strategy should include:
- clear timeline;
- needs-based analysis of investment;
- time-bound targets and indicators;
- dedicated budget and resources, including for implementation of individual plans for independent living;
- governance and division of responsibilities;
- independent control system;
- monitoring tools.
I would say this area requires more work to ensure countries actually start identifying institutions and people in them, and close those down.
I want to thank the European Commission for developing the document.
And thank you EASPD – European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities, EDF, European Network on Independent Living, COFACE Families Europe, Eurochild for co-organising.