Background
Since the 19th Century, residential institutions have represented the response to the needs of disabled people needing accommodation and assistance. From the 1960s onwards, the movement towards deinstitutionalisation has become popular so as to include people with severe disabilities. Research has shown that institutional care lacks of quality to the extent that it often violates human rights. The European Parliament undertook action in this field with the Resolution on the Rights of Disabled People in 1996 and called upon European Commission and Member States to promote the social inclusion of people with disabilities and advocate for the recognition of disability rights as a civil rights issue. According to this vision, art. 26 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights states "the Union recognises and respects the right of persons with disabilities to benefit from measures designed to ensure their independence, social and occupational integration and participation in the life of the community". A conspicuous literature shows the benefits of targeted community-based services.
What is new
The European study entitled Deinstitutionalisation and community living - outcomes and costs provides scientific evidence in the EU 27 of the cost-effectiveness of the provision of a flexible range of help and resources as a means to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
The common challenge across Europe is how to organise community services for people with disabilities so as to enable their independence, integration and participation in the life of the community.
The study stresses the importance of quality of life and how services should enable people with disabilities to take control over their lives. However, not all community-based interventions are seen as appropriate: certain interventions can reproduce segregation. Models of best practice are organised according to the following principles:
person-centered
supporting family and community life
adopting a social model of disability
addressing all of people’s lives
ensuring these principles are expressed in the day-to-day assistance provided tot the individuals they support.
In order to trace back and encourage progress in the field of community services for people with disabilities, several recommendations are suggested in relation to:
collecting a harmonised data set at European level
publishing statistics demonstrating progress in each country
Comments
The segregation of disabled people in institutions is a human rights violation in itself. Therefore, health facilities, goods and services have to be accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable or marginalised sections of the population, in law and in fact, without discrimination on any of the prohibited grounds.
More information on the European study on Deiinstitutionalisation and community living - outcomes and costs is available on DG Employment website
For further information
DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities website
The European Union Disability Strategy
Charter of Fundamental Rights
EPHA related articles
The rights of disabled people gain recognition at EU and international levels
Two Voice Mobility awards to local communities
Good practices for combating social exclusion of people with mental health problems
EP adopts resolution on rights for people with disabilities
