“Everyone is born free and should have the right to choose and decide how they live their lives,” says FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty. “Empowering people with disabilities to be full and independent members of the community allows them to enjoy all their rights and to actively engage in society.”
The report ‘From institutions to community living for persons with disabilities: Perspectives from the ground’ draws on the experiences of people directly involved in the transition to independent living. This includes people with disabilities and their families.
It underlines the strong legal framework in the EU and its Member States to support this transition, such as the UN’s Disability Convention (CRPD) and the EU’s Fundamental Rights Charter, and recent commitments, such as the European Pillar of Social Rights.
However, the lack of available and affordable support services, persisting stigma and discrimination, and inaccessible environments impede people with disabilities from fully realising their legal rights. The report suggests ways to counter this, such as:
- All Member States should ensure there are clear targets and deadlines with sufficient funding, including EU funds, to enable people with disabilities to live independently in the community.
- The EU and its Member States should raise awareness of the benefits of independent living, including by using personal stories to further the positive change in attitudes towards people with disabilities.
- Member States should coordinate all efforts to support and provide services for independent living. This includes fully involving people with disabilities and frontline organisations in decision making and shaping policies.
- Member States should offer practical guidance and training on how best to make independent living a reality.
- Member States should offer specialist services and make general services accessible to cater to the wide range of needs of people with disabilities. This also involves empowering them with the skills to live independently.
[(FRA opinion 13
The EU and its Member States should develop, spread awareness of and monitor through inspections the implementation of minimum standards and guidelines for the accessibility of facilities and services that are open or provided to the public. The minimum standards should encompass the accessibility needs for all persons with disabilities.
EU Member States should develop measures to ensure non-discrimination on the grounds of disability in employment and occupation, in line with their obligations under the Employment Equality Directive and in cooperation with their national equality bodies. They should develop programmes to facilitate equal access to employment on the open labour market for people with disabilities.)]
The report draws on fieldwork in Bulgaria, Finland, Ireland, Italy and Slovakia. But the understanding of what works and what doesn’t, and why, applies to all Member States.
Press Release available in different languages here
Read the Report here