“From institutions to community living” – FRA publishes three reports

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``From institutions to community living`` - FRA publishes three reports

Reports on independent living: “In practice realities are falling short”

Click here for the easy-to-read version

“Too often people with disabilities are prevented from having choice and control over their lives. […] These reports serve as a wake-up call to guide policy makers to ensure [the] right [to live independently] is fully implemented across the EU.”

This is what Michael O’Flaherty, director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (in short, FRA) said when introducing three reports on independent living which were launched at the ‘Dignity + Independent living = DI (deinstitutionalisation)’ conference in Tallinn (Estonia).

The reports deal with the following specific subjects:

  • Commitments and structuresWhat is the legal basis for the commitments to deinstitutionalization and the EU’s role?  How is the process organised?
  • Funding and budgeting: What are the financial means available to move deinstitutionalisation forward and where does the money come from? How can the use of the money be monitored?
  • Outcomes for persons with disabilities: What is the experience of persons with disabilities like when it comes to living in the community, compared with non-disabled persons?

Inclusion Europe very much welcomes the publication of these three reports. They show how important deinstitutionalisation is for people with disabilities and clearly point out the failures of the current system.

The EU and its member states must swiftly address these to help people leave institutions and to have support for living independently.

As FRA director Michael O’Flaherty put it: “While the EU and its Member States have committed themselves to enabling people to enjoy their right to live independently, in practice they are falling short.”

 

Easy-to-read version

Click on a word which is in bold to read what it means.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights has released three reports

on independent living.

 

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights is a European Union agency.

It works to help the European Union.

So the European Union can better protect the rights

of everybody living in the European Union.

You can read more about FRA in this text.

 

The three reports on independent living were launched at a conference in Tallin.

Tallin is the capital of Estonia.

 

The conference was on independent living and stopping people from having to live in institutions.

 

The three reports deal with three different issues.

 

One report looks at what the law says about deinstitutionalisation.

The report also looks at how deinstitutionalisation is being organised.

 

One report looks at where the money for deinstitutionalisation comes from.

Some money comes from the European Union.

Some money comes from the government.

 

One report looks at what it is like for people with disabilities to live independently

compared to people without disabilities.

 

Michael O’Flaherty is the director of the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency.

When Michael O’Flaherty introduced the reports he said that often people with disabilities

are not allowed to have a choice in the way they live.

 

Michael O’Flaherty also said he hopes the reports can help

people working in governments and the European Union

to make sure everyone can live independently across the European Union.

 

 

Inclusion Europe is happy with these reports.

Inclusion Europe thinks that the reports show how important deinstitutionalisation is

for people with disabilities.

The reports also show the problems with what is going on now.

 

The European Union and the countries in the European Union must now look

at the problems and try to fix them

so we can have deinstitutionalisation.

 

We agree with what Michael O’Flaherty said.

Michael said that the European Union and the member states have said

that they want to help people live independently.

But they have moved forward very slow.

 

We think that must be changed now.

Our work brings the voice of people with intellectual disabilities and their families where decisions about their future are made.

This has always been incredibly important. It is even more so with the Covid pandemic drastic impact on their rights and lives.

Being visible and vocal on issues directly affecting millions of people requires your support. 

Become Inclusion Europe supporter and help us keep doing our work.

 

 

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