Autonomy and belonging are fundamental human needs. The right to live independently and be included in the community is established in Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). All European countries and the European Union (EU) have ratified the CRPD.
However, many people with intellectual disabilities are still denied this right and continue to live in institutions. Institutions are places where people with intellectual disabilities are separated from the community. Their relationships are limited to staff and other residents, and daily life is controlled by institutional rules. Efforts are being made to replace institutions with community-based services and individualised support, a process known as deinstitutionalisation.
This study (PDF) examines the development of deinstitutionalisation to better understand Europe’s progress towards independent living.