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Country Profile

Czechia

5.3 out of 10

Right to decide and right to vote

Legal capacity can be partially removed. This does not limit the right for people with intellectual disabilities to vote and stand for elections. Voting is not made accessible.

6.6

Right to live independently and to be included in the community

Many adults with intellectual disabilities live in large institutions. Some live in smaller institutions, small care homes and in psychiatric hospitals. There is a government plan to close institutions but without specific steps.

4.5

Housing and support

Many adults with intellectual disabilities live with their family. Very few live in their own place. Most support is provided by families. Disability benefits go to the person with an intellectual disability.

4.9

Education

Very few children with intellectual disabilities go to mainstream schools. Most are in special schools. There is a national strategy for inclusive education, but it does not work in practice.

5.4

Employment

Very few people with intellectual disabilities have a job on the open labour market. Some are in ‘protected employment’ and some attend daycare. People risk losing disability benefits when they have a paid job. People working in ‘protected employment’ get paid at least minimum wage.

5

Healthcare

People with intellectual disabilities have access to healthcare but it is not made accessible. Sex education is poor. Parents and institutions make decisions about reproductive health. Forced sterilisation is performed.

5.6

Representation

People with intellectual disabilities are part of the national cross-disability organisation, but there is no person with an intellectual disability part of the board/council. The government provides some organisations funding for advocacy work.

4.8

How does Czechia compare to the European average?

Czechia European average

Right to decide and right to vote
6.6
Right to live independently and to be included in the community
4.5
Housing and support
4.9
Education
5.4
Employment
5
Healthcare
5.6
Representation
4.8

The current system of social (and health) services is still not individualized. People use what is available, but in many places there is a shortage of services or they are provided in large-capacity facilities where conditions are not suited to the needs of individual users. There is a particular lack of services that provide people with support in their everyday environment and help them to cope with everyday activities and live independently.

There is a social service inspection, but it is almost unfunctional.

Reported numbers of people with intellectual disabilities in
Mainstream education 10,800
Special education 9,000
No education *
Larger institutions 30,000
Smaller institutions 4,000
Small care homes *
Psychiatric hospitals 500

These are the reported or estimated numbers of the country. In most cases, in reality, the numbers will be higher as the data is underreported or missing entirely.