Alzira Fernandes spoke at the European Day of Persons with Disabilities (EDPD), a conference organised by the European Commission and the European Disability Forum. The conference takes place on 28 November 2024 in Brussels. Alzira Fernandes represented Inclusion Europe at the conference.
Thank you for inviting me to be here today to talk about inclusion and independent living.
My name is Alzira Fernandes, I am 46 years old, and I live in Fafe, Portugal.
I am a person with intellectual disabilities and severe vision problems.
I work at the laundry of CERCIFAF, and I live on my own. But it hasn’t always been like this.
Growing up, and education
I started my life much like many of you, living with my family.
I attended special education until the 6th grade.
I began receiving support from CERCIFAF at the age of 15, when I left school.
CERCIFAF is an organisation that supports people with disabilities and impairments in Fafe, where I live.
It was at CERCIFAF that I completed my professional training. I took a course in Hospitality.
When I finished the course, I was hired by CERCIFAF under supported employment. I have been working in the laundry since 1999.
For reasons that don’t need to be discussed here, I ended up being separated from my family.
We are three siblings.
I have been without parents for many years now.
In 2000, with the support of Social Security, I went to live with one of my brothers in a foster family.
We stayed with them for six months.
In residential care
After that, we both moved to the residential care home of CERCIFAF.
I lived in the home for almost 11 years.
But what I really wanted was to have my own house.
The organisation listened to me.
Moving into my own home
We tried to figure out what needed to happen so I could live on my own.
In 2012, I had a trial stay with a friends family to better understand the support I needed to live independently.
This also gave me time to find a house to live in.
In 2014, with the help of CERCIFAF, I managed to get my own house.
This is where I live now, alone. But I am not lonely.
I have a community that supports me.
Life in the care home wasn’t bad; I was happy.
But it wasn’t what I wanted, and it’s not the same as living in my own home.
What matters to me
Feeling that I am the one in control of my life.
That I can make decisions.
That I have my own space.
I manage my money, clean my house, shop for groceries—all of that.
I just don’t cook because I’m afraid of having an accident due to my poor vision.
However, I solved that problem by ordering meals from a restaurant next to my house.
There, I found new friends who support me whenever I need it.
I also have neighbours, and we all get along well.
But I try not to over-rely on them and solve my problems on my own.
Like most of you, right?
Inclusion is important for everyone
What I wanted to share with you today is this:
Independent living and community inclusion are important for everyone.
Even when we are treated well in institutions, that is not our home.
And if people want to live in their own homes, they should be able to.
Organisations can help us make this change.
They can prepare us to manage our lives and prepare the community to welcome us.
They can also be there if we need guidance or help.
Working together
My inclusion was only possible because I, the organisation, and the community worked together.
Fortunately, I work and can support myself.
If I didn’t work, the state support wouldn’t be enough to have the life I live.
I have been supported by CERCIFAF for 31 years.
Without their support, I wouldn’t be here today.
But what I believe made the difference was that they listened to me when I expressed what I wanted for my life.
They worked with me so I could live in my own house, independently and included in the community.
Everyone should have good support and opportunities
I just wish all people with disabilities had the same support and opportunities.
That all service providers listen to people and support them the way CERCIFAF supported me.
So that everyone can live independently and be included.
Thank you for having me here today!
And don’t give up until you’re heard!