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Country Profile

Italy

5.5 out of 10

Right to decide and right to vote

Legal capacity can be fully removed, but this does not limit the right to vote or to stand for elections. Measures to make voting more accessible are in practice only provided by non-governmental organisations.

5.6

Right to live independently and to be included in the community

Large institutions are widespread. Some adults with intellectual disabilities live in institutions of varying size.

4.2

Housing and support

Most adults with intellectual disabilities live with their families, often without adequate support. Services guaranteed by the public system are insufficient and unsuitable to rights and quality of life.

4.8

Education

All children with intellectual disabilities go to mainstream schools. Students have the right to special support. But sufficient support is not guaranteed.

8.4

Employment

Very few people with intellectual disabilities have a job on the open labour market, and they risk losing their benefits when they have a paid job. Some people with intellectual disabilities attend daycare and some stay at home.

3.5

Healthcare

The right to access healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities is not guaranteed. Few health facilities have specific protocols. Staff is often unprepared and the risks to people with disabilities are very high.

5.3

Representation

People with intellectual disabilities are represented in the national cross-disability organisation, but there is no person with an intellectual disability on the board/council. Anffas Nazionale receives government funding for their advocacy work.

7

How does Italy compare to the European average?

Italy European average

Right to decide and right to vote
5.6
Right to live independently and to be included in the community
4.2
Housing and support
4.8
Education
8.4
Employment
3.5
Healthcare
5.3
Representation
7

Initiatives to provide easy-to-read information on voting and electoral programs are carried out only by associations such as Anffas. There is no law that adequately supports the exercise of the right to vote for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

An important reform has been prepared to implement the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) in Italy, especially focusing on the right to a personalised and participatory individual life project. The Disability Reform is currently in its initial experimental phase and is expected to become fully operational by 2027. However, shortcomings remain in areas such as school and work inclusion, and the right to health.

Reported numbers of people with intellectual disabilities in
Mainstream education 125,000
Special education *
No education *

* Institution figures: No data available.

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.