Hundreds of people with disabilities from all over Europe gathered in Brussels under the slogan “Our Voice Matters” to demand an end to segregation and independence outside residential care homes. The demonstration was organized by ENIL, an association that is advocating for the closure of care homes, which they believe stifle freedom and autonomy. According to Nadia Hadad, co-president of ENIL, many individuals in care homes are living with people they did not choose and lack control over their own lives. ENIL is pushing for people with disabilities to have the resources and capacity to lead independent lives outside of care homes.
Florian Sanden, who also has a disability, emphasized the need for forms of support that empower individuals with disabilities, such as personal budgets and personal assistants. Kamil Goungor, another member of ENIL, highlighted the lack of choice faced by many individuals placed in care homes or in inaccessible homes without assistants. The group is advocating for the same rights as others, emphasizing the importance of having the resources and support necessary to live independently.
The demonstration passed in front of the European Commission headquarters and ended at the European Parliament with a clear message to stop funding residential housing for disabled individuals. ENIL has been lobbying EU institutions to invest in forms of support that empower people, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The focus is on ensuring individuals with disabilities have the resources needed to live outside care homes and have the freedom to make their own decisions.
The demand is not to simply release individuals from care homes, but to provide the necessary funding, human resources, and technical resources for them to live independently. According to Hadad, a strategic plan is needed to ensure that disabled individuals have the support required to navigate life outside of care homes. This is crucial to prevent individuals from wanting to return to care homes if adequate support is not provided.
The protest in Brussels was part of the Freedom Drive, a biennial event aimed at defending the rights of people with disabilities. ENIL is calling for a shift in funding priorities to support individuals with disabilities to live independently, rather than relying on care homes. The goal is to empower individuals with disabilities to have control over their own lives and to ensure they have the same rights as everyone else in society.
In conclusion, the protest in Brussels highlighted the ongoing fight for the rights of people with disabilities to live independently outside of care homes. ENIL is advocating for a strategic plan to provide individuals with disabilities the resources and support necessary for autonomy and freedom. The focus is on shifting funding priorities to empower individuals with disabilities and fulfill obligations under international conventions. The ultimate goal is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same rights as others and the opportunity to lead independent, self-governing lives.
