Many people with disabilities across Europe are still being placed in long-term institutional care and are thus denied any opportunity to exercise their rights and live their lives on equal footing with other European citizens.
As a result of the committed work of many organisations and individuals, the belief that placing people with disabilities into institutions is the only viable option is slowly changing and instead, new community-based alternatives to institutions are being developed. However, much remains to be done in order to ensure that policy and decision-makers of all European countries take action to replace institutions for people with disabilities with person-centered community-based services.
The need for an initiative to promote de-institutionalisation and the development of community-based alternatives was demonstrated by the findings of the Included in Society project which conducted research into institutions and community-based services in a large number of European countries. In addition to developing policy recommendations and identifying priority actions for quality community-based services for people with disabilities, the project pointed to the need for long-term action and recommended that the European Coalition for Community Living (ECCL) be established.
In the light of this recommendation, ECCL was founded by Autism Europe, the Center for Policy Studies of the Central European University, the European Network of Independent Living, Inclusion Europe, Mental Health Europe and the Open Society Mental Health Initiative. As one of the founding organisations, we would like to invite you to join ECCL. By becoming a member, you will come together with other organisations, individuals and institutions committed to the promotion of community-based alternatives for people with disabilities and contribute to making ECCL a truly European initiative.
To become a member of ECCL, please contact the ECCL Coordinator on coordinator@community-living.info
Subscribe
