June
2012

Choice and control: the right to independent living - Summary report

This summary report outlines the findings of interview-based research carried out in 2010 and 2011 in nine EU Member States with persons with mental health problems and persons with intellectual disabilities. The research examined how they experience the principles of autonomy, inclusion and participation in their day-to-day lives.

The right to live independently, this summary shows, is a multifaceted concept encompassing more than policies on deinstitutionalisation alone. While these are of tremendous importance, for community living to be truly successful, deinstitutionalisation should be accompanied by a range of social policy reforms in the areas of education, healthcare, employment, culture and, not least, support services. Only then will the rights enshrined in the CRPD become reality for all persons with disabilities.