Zero Project Report
Zero Project Report
Zero Project Report
Participation
International study on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities
Content
ACRONYMS
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FOREWORD
Martin Essl, Founder, Essl Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Authors:
Silvia Balmas
Michael Fembek
Vincent Hauquier
Ingrid Heindorf
Wilfried Kainz
Clara Pitzinger
Amelie Saupe
Jessica Vilela
Zero Project Director:
Michael Fembek
This publication was developed with contributions from Ingrid Heindorf (Policy
research), Silvia Balmas and Jesica Vilela (Indicators research), Doris Neuwirth
(coordination), Christoph Almasy & Paul Leichtfried (design), and John Tessitore
(editing).
ISBN 978-3-200-03988-9
Essl Foundation, January 2015. All rights reserved.
First published 2015. Printed in Austria.
Published in the Zero Project Report series:
Zero Project Report 2014: Accessibility
Zero Project Report 2013: Employment
Disclaimers
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of
the Essl Foundation or the Zero Project. The designations employed and the
presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatso
ever on the part of the Essl Foundation concerning the legal status of any country,
territory, city, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delineation of its
frontiers or boundaries.
For more information on the report, to download versions, and for further analysis
of the Zero Project, visit www.zeroproject.org
For information or copies, contact: [email protected]
Essl Foundation, Aufeldgasse 17-23, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
WORLDMAP
Innovative Practices and Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SOCIAL INDICATORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
INNOVATIVE PR ACTICES 2015
Key findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Factsheets of all Innovative Practices, listed by country AZ . . . . . . . 37
Innovative Practices of former Zero Project Reports, Updates . . . . . 76
ANNEX
Questionnaire of Social Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Table: Main results of Social Indicators by question. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Table: All results of Social Indicators by country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Acknowledgements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Table: Overview of Innovative Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Table: Overview of Innovative Policies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Zero Project Research Network 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
I can hardly believe that it has been eight years since my wife, Gerda, and I started
the Essl Foundation. It seems both a lifetime ago and yet only yesterday.
And so much has happened in just the year since I wrote the Foreword to the Zero
Project Report 2014.
The Zero Project itself has grown by leaps and bounds. The Zero Project Conference is just one example. In February last year we held our first ever conference
at the headquarters of the United Nations here in Vienna. At the three-day event,
focusing on accessibility, we were honoured to welcome 360 delegates from 50
countries around the world. This year, again at the UN, over 400 experts and other
concerned individuals joined us from 60 countries to focus on Independent Living
and Political Participation, and to discuss the newest set of Innovative Policies
and Innovative Practices for persons with disabilities.
This is a special year for the Zero Project for another reason: co-funding by the
PROGRESS program of the European Union enables us for the first to carry the
Zero Project to local decision-makers in Austria, the projects home country. Over
the coming months we will organize nine Zero Project Austria conferences throughout the country, will produce a separate report that is targeted towards the Austrian
situation, and will create a website dedicated exclusively to the Austrian context.
Next year we will complete our first circle of research: After researching Employment (2013), Accessibility (2014) and Independent Living and Political Participation
(2015), in 2016 the focus of our research will be Education. After that, we will
re-visit Employment, giving us also the opportunity to analyse change and change
processes for the first time. With the Social Indicators that we have been researching since the beginning of the Zero Project, we have the right tools at hand.
List of Acronyms
AAT . . . . . . . . . Applied Assistive Technologies
ADAP. . . . . . . . Accomodating Diversity for Active Participation
ANED. . . . . . . . Academic Network of European Disability Experts
API. . . . . . . . . . Association for Promoting Inclusion
DCYP. . . . . . . . Disabled Children and Young People
DMH. . . . . . . . . Department of Mental Health
DPI. . . . . . . . . . Disabled Peoples`International
DPO. . . . . . . . . Disabled Peoples Organizations
DRPI. . . . . . . . . Disability Rights Promotion International
EASPD . . . . . . European Association of Service Providers
EBU. . . . . . . . . European Blind Union
ECS. . . . . . . . . Environmental Control Systems
EDF . . . . . . . . . European Disability Forum
EEG. . . . . . . . . European Expert Group on the Transition from Institutional
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .to Community Based Care
ENAT. . . . . . . . European Network of Accessible Tourism
ENIL. . . . . . . . . European Network for Independent Living
e.V. . . . . . . . . . . eingetragener Verein (registered Association)
FRA . . . . . . . . . Federal Rights Agency (of the European Union)
GAATES. . . . . Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments
GmbH . . . . . . . Gesellschaft mit beschrnkter Haftung (registered company)
ID . . . . . . . . . . . Intellectual Disability
IDA. . . . . . . . . . International Disability Alliance
IE. . . . . . . . . . . . Inclusion Europe
IFES. . . . . . . . . International Foundation for Electoral Systems
IL. . . . . . . . . . . . Independent Living
None of the work we do would be possible without our global network of experts.
Whereas last year these numbered in excess of 2,000 men and women around the
world, we are now in a position to benefit from the expertise and knowledge freely
shared with us by more than 3,000 disability experts in over 150 countries. To all
of them I convey, as always, my heartfelt thanks.
We continue to see our mission as promoting change change that will both
improve the lives of person with disabilities and, by helping advance the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, enable them
to take their rightful place in the world.
Our aim remains and will always be for a world without barriers.
Martin Essl
Founder, Essl Foundation | January 2015
Executive
Summary
Social Indicators
Innovative Policies
Innovative Practices
Independent Living
includes the opportunity to
make choices and
decisions regarding where
to live, with whom to live,
and how to live.
European Network of Independent Living
to what degree these can be expanded to other regions and countries. The annual report then guides a
wide variety of decision-makers and opinion-leaders
worldwide, including UN and EU bodies, national and
regional parliamentarians, organizations supporting
people with disabiliteis, service-providers, foundations, and academics.
Network approach
The Zero Project is the work of a small core team of
professionals from the Essl Foundation, the WFC, and
the EFC, whereas the expertise that supports the
projects work comes from a huge network of disability experts from around the world. Every year the
research focuses on a specific topic: In 20122013 it
was Employment; in 20132014 it was Accessibility;
in 20142015 it is Independent Living and Political
Participation; and in 20152016 it will be Education.
Zero Project conference, report, and website
The Zero Project team organizes the annual Zero Project Conference in Vienna every February. It publishes
an annual report, updates the Zero Project Website,
and presents its results in leading conferences and
congresses around the world.
Zero Project Austria
In 20142015 the Zero Project also conducted research on Innovative Practices and Policies that have
special relevance to Austria the country of the Zero
Project headquarters. In a separate research process,
all shortlisted nominations were selected exclusively
by Austrian experts in order to identify those that are
most relevant for the Austrian context.
The results of the Zero Project Austria are published in a separate report and on its own website (in
German). They will also be presented at a series of
conferences, one of which is held nationally as part
of the international Zero Project Conference in Vienna
as well as another nine conferences to be held in
the nine capital cities of the Austrian provinces. The
Zero Project Austria 20142015 is co-funded by the
PROGRESS program of the European Union.
FAC T S A B O U T T H E Z E R O P R O J E C T
3,000
650
Experts contributing
since 2011 (appx.)
Experts contributing
20142015 (appx.)
231
58
No. of nominated
Practices/Policies 2015
No. of nominating
countries 2015
50
150
30
275
No. of questionnaires
respondents
450
2) Source: http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-2014right-political-participation-persons-disabilities_en.pdf
3) Independent but not alone, 2014; http://inclusion-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Independent-But-Not-Alone.pdf
10
people with disabilities have choice and control over the services they use? This world map is taken from the Zero Project website: Red indicates that the answer is no, orange indicates Yes with qualifications, and green indicates yes. The website gives you other opportunities
for research as well, like searching for names and explanations of respondents.
Question 21 of the Social Indicators asks: If forms of residential care exists in your country, are there any alternatives to institutions and do
W H AT I S A N I N ST I T U T I O N ? 4
An institution is any residential care facility
where:
Residents are isolated from the broader community and/or compelled to live
together;
Residents do not have sufficient control over
their lives and over decisions that affect
them; and
The requirements of the institution itself
tend to take precedence over the residents
individual needs.
11
M A I N R E S U LT S O N E L E C T I O N S
Promising practices of alternative and assisted
voting and accessible elections:
postal vote applications (Australia, Luxembourg, and most other countries)
availability of a special phone number
(Australia)
home voting (Azerbaijan, Estonia, Serbia)
mobile voting booths (Bhutan, Cook Islands,
Czech Republic)
electronic voting (Estonia, Finland)
provision of wheelchair accessible polling
stations (Estonia, Mauritius, Netherlands)
possibility of voting at hospital or other institutions (Ireland)
assistants who are allowed to help blind
voters (Bangladesh, Finland, Iraq, Mauritius,
Nepal, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan)
training for election officials (Austria)
electorate information regularly available in
audio versions (Armenia)
TV broadcasts in sign language (Estonia)
Credit: NUDIPU
12
This is my
Microboard!
My name is Bree-Anna,
and I am from British
Columbia, Canada. Due to
the physical and developmental challenges that I
face, I need assistance
with things such as my
daily life activities, transportation to college and
recreational venues, and
voting during elections. I also need assistance with
managing my paid support needs.
Over ten years ago my parents heard about Vela
Microboards. In British Columbia support to set
up a Microboard is available for free through Vela.
We thought it was a great idea to manage my
supports and services with assistance from family
and friends. My parents, along with my brother,
a number of our extended family members, and
several friends, created a non-profit organization
just for me! This is my Microboard.
The members of my Microboard know my wishes,
needs, and practical information, such as my
favourite foods, so I am sure they will support me
to make the best decisions for my life. What I like
most about my Microboard is the support that it
provides me to do fun things I enjoy, like tubing on
the lake in the summer, going out to eat, attending
parties, and exploring new adventures together. I
am really happy to have people I know and trust
helping me to manage my life.
Innovative Practice from Canada (British Columbia): A Microboard is a small group of family and
friends who join a person with disabilities to create
a non-profit organization so as to support the
person to create the life he or she envisions. The
network enhances supports that may previously
have been solely the responsibility of parents or
other relatives.
13
DEFINITION
O F A N I N N OVAT I V E P R AC T I C E
Innovative Practices of the Zero Project are
projects, programmes, social enterprises, etc.
that:
are creative, professional, successful, and
scalable
can be transferred or copied to other countries/regions/contexts and have a measurable impact
speed up the process of implementing the
UN CPRD
Innovative Practice from the United States: The three-week Womens Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) program of Mobility
International USA (MIUSA) has trained more than 200 women with disabilities from over 80 countries on strate- gies for improving the lives of
women and girls with disabilities.
Key findings of
Innovative Practices
Assistance and Budget
Several Innovative Practices have developed models
on how to organize and finance personal assistance,
and how to organize personal budget models, where
financial support is given to persons with disabilities
themselves and not to service providers. In the employer model, for example, the person with a disability is the employer of her or his assistant(s), and an
organization hired by that individual then provides all
the services that are needed.
Community Living
Another group of Innovative Practices has developed models of community living, where persons
with disabilities, including those with intellectual and
multiple disabilities, have a real possibility to choose
where to live and with whom, which is a prerequisite
for deinstitutionalisation and a clear requirement of
the UN CRPD. Some of these Innovative Practices, for
example, use apartment sharing, Microboards, and
create affordable and efficient support systems for
families and care givers.
14
Peer support
Some practices work especially on peer support,
using the capabilities of persons with disabilities,
including those with intellectual disabilities and
learning difficulties. Their first-hand experience and
knowledge of many societal issues enables them to
be experts in their field. Peer support includes training
and teaching models, and it also creates jobs and
new professions.
Self-empowerment
A group of Innovative Practices concentrate on the
empowerment of persons with disabilities, training
them in communication, literacy, etc. Others initiate
and support groups of self-representatives and/or
work on self-representation and access to justice.
Quite outstanding work is done by those Innovative Practices that support groups of persons with
disabilities that are even more vulnerable, e.g., deaf
women in male dominated societies or victims of
sexual abuse.
15
DEFINITION
O F A N I N N OVAT I V E P O L I CY
Innovative Policies have achieved identifiable
improvements on the ground, and have demonstrated a positive dynamic of change that can
be easily replicated in many countries to advance the implementation of the UN Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN
CPRD). Like all innovation, some policies may
be incomplete or dependent on other developments to maximize their impact. Some policies,
no matter how positive, may also contain
elements of old thinking. Since the implementation of the UN CRPD is a work in progress
for all countries, these elements are taken into
account in the overall assessment of innovation.
with Disabilities does not include a definition of disability, and states explicitly in its Article 1 that persons
with disabilities include those who have long-term
physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments.
Policies should be reformed accordingly. The overall
goal should be to avoid spelling out an unavoidably
restrictive definition of disability and instead to implement steps relevant for all regardless of disability,
as stated, for example, by New Zealands strategy for
electoral access.
Including the most excluded groups
There are persons with certain types of disabilities
that are more severely affected than others. These
include persons with extensive disabilities who need
daily assistance in order to be able to live independently in their familys or their own home. Sweden
is one of the few countries that have established a
right to a personal assistance budget.
Among the most neglected groups are also persons
with severe mental and psychosocial problems. In
such cases, the Personal Ombudsmen in Sweden
have proven to be true change makers in the lives
of many disabled persons. Similarly, in Upper Austria persons with disabilities who have psychiatric
experience can become qualified peer counsellors
who can then help other disabled persons currently in
psychiatric care.
My assistants enable me
to work
My assistants enable me to work. One of their
most important functions is to accompany me
on trips as head of the Independent Living Institute. Since my wife has her own work she is an
occupational therapist we only travel together on
vacations. And then, too, I take an assistant along,
since I want to have the same role within my family
that I would have had without my disability. Money
for the costs of the accompanying assistants
airline tickets, hotel room, meals, etc. is part of the
monthly payment from the Social Insurance Fund.
Thus, I do not have to apply and fight for such
expenses every time I travel.
Question 30 of the Social Indicators: Is the official electorate information produced by the election management body accessible to all?
This world map is taken from the Zero Project website: red indicates that the answer is No, orange indicates Yes with qualifications, and
green indicates yes. Using www.zeroproject.org allows various kinds of in-depth analysis.
16
17
Innovative
Practices
and Innovative
Policies
ZERO PROJECT 2015
United Kingdom
Funding for running for an elected office, 2012
Funding Agreement (Political Participation); Country Level
Helpline and platform on personalised care
Disability Rights UK
Luxembourg
Norway
Sweden
Belgium
Innovative Policy
Moldova
Returning children to their families and an inclusive environment
Lumos Foundation
Canada
Croatia
Living alone with individualized support
Association for Promoting Inclusion
Voting without legal capacity
Udruga za samozastupanje
(Association for Self Advocacy)
Spain
Voting and
participating in
the electoral process,
2007 & 2011
Decree (Political
Participation); Country Level
Serbia
Online platform on community-based services
Youth with Disabilities Forum
Jamaica
Uganda
A business approach to
sustainable community living
Digicel Foundation Jamaica
Italy
Regional network to promote legal capacity of
people with psychosocial disabilities
The Trust for the Americas/
Organization of American States
Deinstitutionalisation and
community living
since 1980
Trieste Mental Health
Department &
WHOCC
Creating careers from disabilities
The Living Link
Cheap tool to make
ballot papers accessible to the blind
Electoral Commission
18
Japan
Enfranchising people under guardianship, 2013
Law (Political Participation); Country Level
Austria
Womens Institute on
Leadership and Disability
Mobility International USA
Finland
European Union
Ireland
Denmark
Innovative Practice
Germany
Yemen
Nepal
Israel
Supportive housing:
Helping young adults to
live independently
Israel Unlimited
South Africa
Ensuring equal access
for Members of Parliament, 2006 & 2009
Strategy (Political Participation); Country Level
Sexual abuse victim
empowerment programme
Cape Mental Health
New Zealand
Zimbabwe
Enfranchising people with disabilities
Jairos Jiri Association
Rwanda
Empowerment through peer-to-peer support
National Organization of Users and Survivors
of Psychiatry
Australia
19
Key Findings
of the Zero Project
Social Indicators
20
Worldwide coverage
30 questions
Qualitative analysis
Website
21
Key Findings of
the Social Indicators
a. Independent Living
Equal recognition before the law
Personal rights
Community-based service and alternatives
to institutions
Legal and social protection
Assistance and support
WO R L DW I D E C OV E R AG E
Number of participating
countries of the
Zero Project
150
130
The work of the Zero Project (first launched in 2011) is based on Social Indicators designed to
measure the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). It was only later that Innovative Practices and Policies were added to the research.
22
b. Political Participation
Access to justice
Access to information
Political rights
Access to voting procedures
The scope of the survey 2015
During the period SeptemberNovember 2014, 275
experts from exactly 150 countries answered the
Zero Project Questionnaire. Almost half of those
experts 134 came from the DPI network, and the
Zero Project is especially grateful for its continuing
support.
Coverage of 150 countries worldwide makes the
Zero Project Indicators a unique wealth of data and
background information on the implementation of the
UN CRPD. This is especially true as the number of
participating countries has grown dramatically over
just five years:
2010: 15 countries
2012: 36 countries
2013: 55 countries
2014: 130 countries
2015: 150 countries
Countries with the highest response rate are the
United States (16), Ireland (13), and Belgium (10).
Countries still not covered in the survey include
Ecuador, Iceland, Iran, Mexico, and South Korea. Only
questionnaires where at least 15 questions were answered have been included in the analysis, reducing
the number from 275 to 242.
Regional breakdown:
Europe: 79 replies from 36 countries
Asia & Pacific (including central Asia and Middle
East): 52 replies from 37 countries
Northern Africa: 4 replies from 6 countries
Sub-Saharan Africa: 44 replies from 32 countries
Latin and Central America & the Caribbean: 34
replies from 26 countries
North America: 16 replies from 2 countries
Oceania: 13 replies from 11 countries
How data has been analysed
For this report, quantitative and qualitative analysis
based on both the responses (traffic lights) and the
comments of the experts has been made. The re-
55
36
15
2010
2012
2013
2014
2015
23
O U T STA N D I N G FAC T S
The Annex includes two tables on the
Zero Project Indicators: A breakdown
of all 242 analysed questionnaires and
all 30 questions, and a summary of the
traffic light answers that were given.
Find some outstanding facts here:
The question with the most Yes
responses (green lights): 52 percent
of all respondents worldwide claim
that persons with disabilities are not
discriminated against in their right to
marry and have children.
24
25
26
ON EDUCATION
Questions 7 and 8
In most countries children with disabilities cannot be
legally refused an education, but they are gernerally
directed to separate specialised schools. As a consequence, a huge proportion of children with disabilities, in particular children with other than physical
disabilities, are still not integrated into the mainstream
education system (e.g., The Netherlands provides
no legal right for children with disabilities to attend
mainstream schooling; Singapore exempts obligatory
education for children with disabilities).
Some of the reasons for failing to integrate these
children into mainstream education are related to the
lack of resources, such as specialised training for
teachers and staff. In some countries, such as Estonia, experts have pointed out examples where teachers are not prepared or trained to socially integrate
children with disabilities, and thus are instead send
to specialized schools in order to spare the children
from episodes of discrimination, inaccessibility of
buildings, lack of funding and resources, non-adaptable school curriculums, or lack of representation on
school committees.
But there are promising practices mentioned by the
experts as well:
For the first time, Education Policy 2010 has
acknowledged the right to education of persons with
disabilities in mainstream schools in addition to special school . . . and if any teacher refuses to admit any
children with disabilities, he will be punished under
this law. (Salma Mahbub, Bangladesh)
The possibility of alternative testing methods for
persons with disabilities in university are generally
available, such as technology, software, allowing
testing in Braille, and training of staff (Thailand) and
special college programmes adapted to a students
needs (Philippines).
W H E R E I N F R A ST R U C T U R E
I S AC C E S S I B L E
Lahore, Pakistan: Lahore has recently launched a
new BRT system that is completely accessible with
tactile surfacing, Braille signage, ramps and spaces
allocated for wheelchair users, and LCD screens for
people with hearing impairments. The same system is
to be introduced in 2015 to the cities of Rawalpindi and
Islamabad. (Reem Khurshid, Network of Organizations
Working with People with Disabilities, Pakistan)
Budapest, Hungary: On the citys 270 bus lines there
are low-floor buses with a ramp, arriving every 3040
minutes, which is indicated on the timetable for each
bus stop. The new metro is fully accessible, as are trams
Number 4 and 6, including all stops. There are also many
low-floor buses with a ramp in the countryside
in towns and between towns and villages but there
should be more. The ramps, however, are not electric
but are mechanical, which means the driver must get
out, open the ramp, and help the person in a wheelchair
to get into and from the bus. (Eva Caesar, National
Federation of Disabled Persons Associations, Hungary)
Solo City, Indonesia: To enforce the national and local
regulation on accessibility, many local governments set
up a road map and annual budget plan to make urban/
public transports accessible for all persons with disabilities, including speech, hearing, and intellectual disabilities. (Sunarman Sukamto, Director, CBR Development
and Training Centre, Solo, Indonesia).
ON EMPLOYMENT
Questions 10, 11 and 12
27
Social Indicators on
Independent Living
Community-based services and residential care, legal and social protection, assistance and support
find the most outstanding results of the Zero Project Social Indicators on Independent Living in this
section.
Only 15.3 percent of respondents indicate the availability of community living services and alternatives
to institutions, primarily due to the lack of financial
resources and government austerity cuts.
In the poorest countries, institutions mostly do not
exist and it is only family members who provide
care (mentioned in Belize, Benin, Ghana, Suriname).
Alternatives might exist (as experts state for Ethiopia), but in such states most persons with disabilities
still prefer to stay in institutions, which guarantees
S O C I A L I N D I CATO R S O N
I N D E P E N D E N T L I V I N G : WO R L DW I D E AV E R AG E S
Yes
Partial No
NA
25.2% 28.3%
13.2% 53%
23.5% 10.1%
28
29
Social Indicators on
Political Participation
Political rights and access to voting procedures find summaries of the qualitative and quantitative
analysis of the Social Indicators in this section.
POLITICAL RIGHTS
Question 27: Do persons with disabilities have the right
to vote by secret ballot in elections?
Question 28: Do persons with disabilities have the
right to stand for elections, to effectively hold office,
and to perform all public functions at all levels of
government?
Comments showed that in many countries there are
restrictions regarding the right to vote by secret ballot
in elections, especially for blind people or persons
with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, who
need to vote through their assistant which violates
their right to confidentiality (Bangladesh, Belarus,
P R O M I S I N G P R AC T I C E S O F
A LT E R N AT I V E & A S S I ST E D VOT I N G
Among the reasonable accommodations and alter
natives suggested to assist voters with disabilities to
vote in secret are:
Postal vote applications (Australia, Luxembourg, and
most other countries)
Availability of a special phone number (Australia)
Home voting (Azerbaijan, Estonia, Serbia)
Mobile voting booths (Bhutan, Cook Islands, Czech
Republic)
Electronic voting (Estonia, Finland)
Provision of wheelchair accessible ramps (Estonia,
Mauritius, Netherlands)
Possibility of voting at hospital or other institutions
(Ireland)
Assistants who are allowed to help blind voters
(Bangladesh, Finland, Iraq, Mauritius, Nepal, Papua
New Guinea, South Sudan)
Training for election officials (Austria)
Electorate information regularly available in audio
versions (Armenia)
TV broadcasts sometimes have sign language (Estonia)
30
S O C I A L I N D I CATO R S O N P O L I T I CA L
PA R T I C I PAT I O N : WO R L DW I D E AV E R AG E S
Yes
Partial No
NA
Access to justice
(Q5)
Political rights
(Q27/Q28)
Access to voting
procedures (Q29/Q30)
25.8% 37.6%
10.5%
23.9% 12.6%
In some countries, such as Estonia and Finland, people with an intellectual disability or limited capacity to
vote (by definition, referring to people who do not understand the voting criteria) are excluded from voting,
including in the United States. The U.S. has not lifted
legal restrictions on the right to vote of people with
intellectual or psychosocial disabilities. In a majority
of U.S. states, if you are under guardianship, you
cannot vote. Also, in many states judges are able to
take the right to vote away (Virginia Atkinson, Access
and Inclusion Specialist, International Foundation for
Electoral Systems, United States).
There are several examples of restrictions of condition and eligibility criteria regarding the right to be
elected: For example, art. 44 of the Beninese Constitution of 11 December 1990 provides that no person
may be a candidate for the office of President of the
Republic if he [...] does not enjoy a state of complete
physical and mental well-being duly noted a panel
of three sworn physicians appointed by the Constitutional Court (Gronime Tokpo, Fdration des
W H AT E L E C T I O N CA N A DA D O E S TO M A K E
E L E C T I O N S M O R E AC C E S S I B L E
Elections Canada offers information, education, and
accessibility services to persons with special needs,
seniors, and those with limited reading and writing skills.
Material is available in multiple formats: large print,
Braille, DVD, and CD. Services and products include:
A polling site accessibility feedback process and
special ballot (vote by mail) registration form
A toll-free information line for those with a hearing
impairment
Documents written specifically for persons with disabilities and/or low literacy
A sign-language DVD with open- and closed-captioning for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
A voting template and large-print list of candidates
for those with a visual impairment
Language or sign-language interpreter services on
request
Transfer certificates on election day to permit persons
who use wheelchairs or who have other physical disabilities to vote at facilities that provide level access...
Assistance, at the voters request, with registration
and marking the ballot at the advance polls, the polling station, or the local Elections Canada office
Transportation of the ballot box from room to room
to facilitate voting in hospitals and certain residential
institutions
Mobile polling stations for certain institutions where
seniors or persons with disabilities reside
Voting at home in the presence of an electoral officer
and a witness, for electors who are registered
31
Innovative Practices
2015
Selection and Key
Findings
32
Key findings
Fact Sheets
33
Key Findings of
Innovative Practices
ZERO PROJECT 2015
This year the Zero Project selected 39 Innovative Practices that positively impact the rights of persons
with disabilities to live independently and/or support their political rights. The Zero Project uses a clear
definition of Innovative Practice (and Innovative Policy as well, as noted in the next chapter), and
has developed a unique approach involving hundreds of experts worldwide in a kind of crowd intelligence methodology.
W H AT A R E I N N OVAT I V E P R AC T I C E S?
Innovative Practices of the Zero Project are
projects, programmes, social enterprises,
etc. that:
are creative, professional, successful,
and scalable
can be transferred or copied to other
countries/regions/contexts and have a
measurable impact
speed up the process of implementing
the UN CPRD
34
35
In the process of final research, three more Practices were discarded because they did not respond to
requests from Zero Project staff or their information
could not be verified. Consequently, the final list of
Innovative Practices of the Zero Project 2015 on
Independent Living and Political Participation is
exactly 39 entries long.
Themes of the 39 Innovative Practices
The 39 Innovative Practices have origins in 26 countries (plus one on the level of the European Union)
and from all six continents. Countries represented
most often are:
United Kingdom: 4
Belgium: 3
Germany: 3
South Africa: 3
The themes of these Innovative Practices can be
clustered as follows:
Assistance and budget
Several Innovative Practices have developed models
on how to organize and finance personal assistance,
and how to organize personal budget models, where
financial support is given to persons with disabilities
themselves and not to service providers. In the employer model, for example, the person with a disability is the employer of her or his assistant(s), and an
organization hired by that individual then provides all
the services that are needed.
Community living
A larger group of Innovative Practices has developed models of community living, where persons
with disabilities, including those with intellectual and
multiple disabilities, have a real possibility to choose
where to live and with whom, which is a prerequisite
for deinstitutionalisation and a clear requirement of
the UN CRPD. Some of these Innovative Practices, for
example, use apartment sharing, Microboards, and
create affordable and efficient support systems for
families and care givers.
Peer-support
Some practices work especially on peer-support,
using the capabilities of persons with disabilities,
including those with intellectual disabilities and
learning difficulties. Their first-hand experience and
knowledge of many societal issues enables them to
be experts in their field. Peer support includes training
and teaching models, and it also creates jobs and
new professions.
Self-empowerment
A group of Innovative Practices concentrate on the
empowerment of persons with disabilities, training
36
T H E Z E R O P R O J E C T AU ST R I A
I N N OVAT I V E P R AC T I C E S & P O L I C I E S
In 20142015 the Zero Project conducted
research on Innovative Practices and
Policies that has special relevance to Austria
the home country of the Zero Project.
In a separate research stage, all shortlisted nominations were voted for exclusively by Austrian experts in order to
identify those that are most relevant for
the Austrian context.
The Zero Project Austria is published in
as
eparate report and on its own website.
It is also the topic of its own conferences,
which are held nationally as part of the
international Zero Project Conference in
Vienna as well as in nine more conferences
in the capital cities of the Austrian country
states. Zero Project Austria 20142015 is
co-funded by the PROGRESS Programme
of the European Union.
Funded by the Open Society Institute, the project seeks to establish a network of five countries to
promote and raise awareness of the legal capacities of persons with psychosocial disabilities through
workshops and monitoring.
Problems targeted
Persons with psychosocial disabilities are systematically denied their right to recognition as persons
before the law and their right to legal capacity by their
own countries civil codes. The Trust for the Americas
works to raise awareness about Article 12 of the UN
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(CRPD), which recognizes those rights.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
10 multisector, knowledge-sharing, and
strategy-planning workshops were held in
Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and
Peru.
5 workshops were directed to members
of the justice sector and 5 to civil society
leaders from organizations of persons with
psychosocial disabilities.
37
From the outset, this research project closely involved all key stakeholders, including people with
disabilities, family members, policy makers, and service providers. Their knowledge and experiences
developed the guidelines that will provide the opportunity for many people to deepen their understanding of Individual supported living (ISL). The project focused on adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, but the guidelines adopted principles with universal application to the provision of
supported living to other vulnerable groups, including other expressions of disability, elderly people,
and people with mental illness.
eVoting improves voter access for the visually impaired as well as for the illiterate, those who cannot
read English, and citizens living abroad. Voters with visual impairments have the option of using an
audio device at an election kiosk or casting their votes by phone.
Problems targeted
Australian policy and practice support people with
disabilities to live in their own home in the community, but a substantial proportion live in large, formal,
congregate care settings. In 20112012, 63 percent
of people with disabilities who received government
funding lived in private residences, frequently with
an ageing parent, thus foreshadowing substantial
demand for supported living - the highest growth area
of government- funded services.
38
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
The third stage of the project incorporates
a partnership of three Australian universities and more than 10 NGOs. It will evaluate
the quality of 150 ISL arrangements across
three states and provide training for over
500 project participants.
Outcomes of the project will be disseminated
through NGOs, disability advocacy groups,
and government agencies across Australia.
Problems targeted
Prior to this project visually impaired voters were unable to vote in private, as they required the assistance
of a sighted person.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
In the 2006 trial, the first of its kind in
Victoria, 6 voting super centres where set
up to host 36 electronic voting terminals.
39
UNIKATE is a competition among a wide variety of students to solve every-day problems of persons
with disabilities and the elderly. UNIKATEs mission is to use the creative potential of these students to
invent tools and devices that support the specific needs of these persons, with the goal of constructing prototypes of the most promising ideas.
Through Proefwonen, housing and social service providers collaborate to facilitate rental access for
people with intellectual disabilities and/or mental health problems. Rather than having to register for
housing on the regular social-service waiting list, Proefwonen allows these clients to apply for faster
access to an affordable home. A steering group matches available housing with the candidate-tenants
through a consensus process. The project has also resulted in a number of adaptations to the legal
framework in Flanders, lifting legal barriers for intersectional collaboration.
Problems targeted
Technical innovations play a decisive role in supporting persons with disabilities to lead a full and independent life, but unfortunately persons with disabilities are seldom the target group of technology and
software development. Thus, there is an urgent need
for awareness-raising and innovation in this area.
Credit: UNIQA
Problems targeted
Proefwonen aims to address several difficulties that
hinder successful cooperation between welfare and
social rental services:
the unpredictable timing associated with the
waiting lists of social housing services can hinder
the smooth transition of a person with intellectual
and/or psychological problems from an institutional
setting to an independent life with support;
there are few options to try out independent living
and to take a step back, if necessary two conditions for de-institutionalization;
housing providers are faced with vulnerable clients,
but do not have the means to support them. In
some cases, this may lead to eviction.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
In 2014 the third annual UNIKATE
competition was held.
40
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
24 candidate-tenants have entered the program over a period of three years. More than
5 percent of the approximate 450 total local
allocated homes were reserved for persons
with intellectual and/or mental health issues.
11 program participants have been interviewed about their experiences and each
one has evaluated their new living environment positively.
41
Freedom School is a five-day training course for people with disabilities. This interactive summer
course with 18 disabled participants (plus personal assistants) focused on developing talents and skills
for self-advocacy and implementing personal projects that can contribute to the better participation
and self-determination of people with disabilities. The aims of this training are to strengthen the Independent Living movement by attracting more volunteers/activists, to improve the skills and capacities
of current volunteers, and to create future leaders.
Problems targeted
Because people with disabilities often do not get the
same opportunities as others, the focus of the training course is on learning about and discovering the
talents of the disabled, and developing these talents.
Following the training, participants play an active role
in public life and have the skills to organize their own
projects independently, creating a positive impact and
greater societal awareness regarding the needs and
abilities of disabled people.
42
Self-advocates of Our New Future explore the possibilities and barriers to participating in local and
regional political meetings. They identify existing barriers to their political participation.. Self-advocates
and advisors work both on accessibility of the intellectually disabled in the political process and on tools
to support the councils, policy bodies, and advisors to better provide support for their participation.
Problems targeted
Research showed that no people with an ID were
participating politically in Flanders, and there was a
profound interest in addressing this shortcoming. The
Flemish governmental organization for equal opportunities wanted to involve people with an ID in decisions
concerning their lives and their environment, and
urged ONT to do something with the results of their
research. ONT then identified 10 people with an ID
who had a powerful desire to participate in the policy
of their own city. During the first year, however, it
became clear that there was a mismatch between the
desires of the persons and the expectations of participation (vocabulary, long hours that would undermine
their focus, the need for a lot of preparation, difficult
subject matter, etc.), and that more had to be done.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
18 people have completed the training.
5 self-chosen projects have been created
and are being followed-up.
7 participants are now volunteers at
Onafhankelijk Leven vzw, some of whom
are active as ambassadors of the
organization. As such, they represent
the organization at various external
meetings and are the core of the volunteer force.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Whereas there were no persons with an ID
participating in policy making in Flanders
four years ago, today there are 11.
Much effort has been put into awareness-raising through the concrete documentation of the various political trajectories of
people with ID: booklets, a film, a game, and
other public materials
117 participants attended a day-long meeting
to review the ONT results for 2013.
43
Human Rights Advocacy through Learning by Doing is a successful advocacy project for legislature
change that promotes the right to vote for persons deprived of their legal capacity. Project activities
were carried out using a networking advocacy approach, which included wide cooperation with other
self-advocate groups, members of the Croatian self-advocacy network, relevant state institutions, the
academic community, the media, and Platform 112 Croatias largest civil society network.
A Microboard is a small group of family and friends who join a person with disabilities to create a nonprofit organization so as to support the person to create the life he or she envisions. The network
enhances supports that may previously have been solely the responsibility of parents or other relatives.
Problems targeted
In the late 1980s British Columbia was a leader for
deinstitutionalization in Canada. However, a sizable
number of people with complex disabilities remained
in institutions, as it was widely believed they could not
live successfully within a community setting. This did
not deter their families and friends from advocating
for their return to community living.
44
Problems targeted
According to data from the national Disability
Ombudsman, there are more than 19,000 persons
deprived of legal capacity in Croatia, of whom some
16,000 are completely deprived of their legal capacity.
Other targeted problems that have impeded the active participation of persons with intellectual disabilities in political and public life are the lack of accessible, easy-to-read information on election procedures
and candidates programs, and public prejudice that
views people with intellectual disability as incapable
of participation in democratic processes.
Microboards make an important difference by supporting
people with disabilities through family and friends to lead
self-directed lives. Also see the story of Bree-Anna on
page 13
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
As of September 2014 more than 900 active
Microboads were set up in British Columbia.
There are currently over 4,500 voluntary
Microboard members.
Over the past 15 years Vela has supported
Microboard development in 3 other provinces of Canada and 4 other countries.
Velaboards have also been implemented in
Australia, Northern Ireland, the Republic of
Ireland, and the United States.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Since the new Voters Register Act came into
effect, persons with intellectual disabilities
have successfully voted on local and regional elections and two state referendums.
Self-advocacy groups from 14 local communities that are members of the Croatian
self-advocacy network as well as people in
two residential institutions were educated on
their democratic rights, including their right
to vote, and were provided with the necessary knowledge to participate in political
and public life. More than 600 persons have
received training on voting procedures and
participation in public and political life.
Public awareness on the right to vote for
persons deprived of their legal capacity
was raised via a broad public TV and radio
campaign.
45
The Association for Promoting Inclusion (API) is a non-governmental organization established in 1997
in Zagreb, Croatia. Its mission is to promote the development of a society in which people with intellectual disabilities have equal opportunities, their contributions are valued, and their human rights are
respected. The focus of APIs work has been to develop models of community-based services, such
as supported housing and specialized foster family care, to enable children and adults with intellectual
disabilities to move from large residential institutions to a life in the community.
Problems targeted
Traditionally, persons with intellectual disabilities
have been placed in institutions without their consent
and without respect for their personal needs and
desires. Instead, parents, social workers, and other
professionals have made decisions on their behalf.
In general, these institutions have been violating the
basic human rights of people with disabilities, keeping
them isolated, segregated, and stigmatized.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Established community-based supported
housing services for 250 people with intellectual disabilities in 8 cities in Croatia.
Supported work activities and day programs
for over 150 people in 8 cities.
46
The study kit is an educational program for people with cognitive disabilities to acquire knowledge
about citizenship and personal rights. The objective of the program is to develop and test methods,
tools, and information materials that provide people within the target group with knowledge of their
personal rights, and to give the target group concrete tools for practicing these rights.
Problems targeted
The project focuses on improving the chances of
people with cognitive disabilities to live an independent life and contribute to a democratic society on
equal terms with others. This is achieved by developing and testing methods, tools, and information
materials that provide people within the target group
with knowledge of their personal rights and by giving
them concrete tools for practicing these rights.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
The study kit has been developed in collaboration with educational institutions and has
been tested by approx. 150 young people
and adults.
The kit has been presented to 320 leaders and professionals within the field, and
information has been sent to all national
municipalities and relevant professionals
throughout the country.
47
FINL AND / FINNISH FEDER ATION OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED (FF VI)
The European Expert Group (EEG) includes a wide range of stakeholders, providing training, guidance, and tools to EU officials, political representatives, and governments to inform them about the need
of community-based care and the risks of institutional care for persons with disabilities. It has been
initiated jointly by Lumos Foundation, European Disability Forum (EDF), Eurochild, Metal Health Europe, Inclusion Europe, UNHCHR, UNICEF, European Network for Independent Living (ENIL), European
Social Network, and Coface.
During the Finnish parliamentary elections in 2011 the Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the
Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired (FFVI), for the first time financed the production of accessible candidate lists for visually impaired persons, including audio and Braille. The Ministry also funded
the production of other accessible election-related materials, such as information on voting procedures. The FFVI was responsible for the production and distribution of all accessible materials.
Problems targeted
More than 1 million children and adults live in institutions in the European Union. Evidence shows that
institutional care leads to social exclusion, segregation, and can negatively affect brain development in
very young children. The EU plays an important role in
shaping social policy within Europe through the provision of several funds, which need to be diverted from
institutional care to community/family-based services.
48
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
The program was established in 2009 by
the then Commissioner for Employment and
Social Affairs, Vladimir pidla.
Problems targeted
Prior to 2011 the list of candidate in Finnish elections
were not accessible to everyone, as they were only
published in print or on the Internet.
49
The Accommodating Diversity for Active Participation in European Elections (ADAP) project tries to
overcome the voting obstacles faced by people with intellectual disabilities and older people by raising
awareness about this problem at both the national and European level. The project outcomes include
developing recommendations for accessible elections in Europe in both regular and easy-to-read
versions in 21 languages covering legislation on legal capacity, accessible information, training, support for decision-making in voting, and access to the voting process.
The associations work is focused on counselling persons with disabilities in planning and leading an
independent life and supporting them in self-employment. It offers a payroll accounting service for employers with disabilities, an internet-based platform for assistance, and a travelling service for wheelchair users.
Problems targeted
People with intellectual, sensory, or physical disabilities as well as older people are often excluded
from voting processes due to a lack of accessibility.
Moreover, through targeted questionnaires, Inclusion
Europe discovered that this is a problem, of which
many European politicians are unaware, and thus take
no steps in addressing. Furthermore, these groups
lacked the knowledge and means to advocate for
their voting rights, or did not understand the value of
political participation.
50
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Three publications have been developed
and widely disseminated (in 21 languages)
as well as a collection of good practices
for accessible elections from 27 European
countries (in 3 languages).
Partners have met with 11 members of
Parliament as well as several national-level politicians in France, Scotland, and the
Czech Republic. They have also participated
in EU-level conferences and cooperated
with intergovernmental bodies.
Problems targeted
Living an independent life is based on, among other
things, self-representation towards government and
social security authorities as well as service providers and/or providers of health insurance. It includes
paying taxes and getting tax benefits, applying for
subsidies, gaining employment, etc. People with
disablities are often afraid of managing an independent life because they do not know how to begin and
where to get support to manage complex tasks.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Approximately 750 consultations have taken
place over the last 3 years.
Over 140 new entries are added to the
assistant database each month.
65 percent of entries are successful matches between the employer and assistant.
51
MOBILE is building a network of support and assistance for persons with disabilities living out of
institutions, including their parents, allowing them to lead an independent life.
Problems targeted
For the most part, persons with disabilities still live
in institutions, and government support is primarily
directed towards these institutions. Independent living
in accessible apartments is very rare because few
such apartments exist and community services are
not widely available.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
MOBILE began to support persons with
disabilities in 1983, to provide a service of
assisted living in 1992, to support parents
with disabilities in 2005, and to provide personal assistance to people with disabilities
in 2009.
Costs for assisted living are in most cases now covered by the Westfalen-Lippe
authorities, and according to official figures
1,829 persons are now using this service in
this area.
MOBILE currently supports 195 people,
including 13 families with parents who have
intellectual disabilities and their 25 children.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Outlook & Transferability
The public funding that is available for the employer
model of personal assistance (described by MOBILE)
is constantly increasing in response to the improved
quality of life of persons who use assisted living or
other MOBILE services. MOBILE is also offering a
training program for organizations interested in implementing this model in their own services.
After a certain period of time, the level of experience and self-confidence becomes strong
enough for the new employers to continue
managing their assistants on their own.
The project oversees more than
200 consultations per year.
Many new projects are being initiated in
2015, including online course for managing
assistants.
52
STORY OF STEPHANIE
53
Members of the Next Steps project provide individualized support to people with intellectual disabilities so that they can live a life of their choosing. Notably, the project supports people to move from
congregated settings into community-based settings.
The Supported Housing program initiated by Israel Unlimited the American Jewish Joint Distribution
Committees strategic partnership with the Israeli Government and the Ruderman Family Foundation
assists young adults with intellectual disabilities to become involved in community and social activities.
Once they are transitioned into their own apartments, they are also provided with a care coordinator and a
mentor who teach them to live independently and who are continuously involved in their overall well-being.
Problems targeted
National policy recommends that people with intellectual disabilities are fully included in their communities,
and individualised support enables such people to live
full lives as equal citizens. However, this requires the
provision of a flexible range of support services that
are tailored to the needs of the individual, and that
are primarily determined by the disabled person him/
herself.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Currently, 23 organizations are participating
in the project.
242 individuals with intellectual disabilities
have participated to date.
The project works across all four health-
service regions in the Republic of Ireland
new types of support in line with the agreed vision. Initiatives are monitored regularly, and every two months
the participants come together to share the lessons
learned with all key stakeholders. The Next Steps
Community of Learning is currently reviewing progress
to date in order to inform the work plan for 2015 and
to continue developing and sharing what is learned.
Organizations have shared information through
study visits, case study presentations, and two major
national conferences. The findings of the project
may be relevant for other countries, and the National
Federation already collaborates at a European level on
shared learning through the European Association for
Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities
(www.EASPD.eu).
54
Problems targeted
Today there are approximately 1 million people of
working age (1865) with disabilities in Israel, many
who suffer from more than one disability. Given the
lack of government support for independent living,
Israel still has long way to go to allow disabled people to live with dignity, but we
are starting with supported housing. We
need to work with the families to make
them believe in the project.
Shira RUDERMAN, Israel Director, Ruderman Family Foundation
many young adults with disabilities end up in institutions or without adequate services in the community.
Those who wish to live independently face many
difficulties, such as accessing public buildings, finding
suitable accommodations, receiving family support,
learning independent living skills, developing a group
of friends, and finding appropriate employment.
Solution & Methodology
To ensure a successful transition to independent living, each young adult is assigned a mentor who works
with him or her on an individual basis to help define
goals and to build a plan for reaching these goals.
In addition to personal development, mentors help
connect these young adults with existing services in
the community. Mentoring also includes helping to
find an apartment; to navigate the complex process
of receiving all appropriate governmental subsidies,
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
There are currently three regions that have
implemented the program, and to date more
than 40 young adults with disabilities have
received assistance, support, and guidance
and are now living independently within the
community.
The American Jewish Joint Distribution
Committee (JDC) will be quadrupling the
scope of Supported Housing, with nine new
locations already identified.
55
Since 1980 the city of Trieste has closed psychiatric hospitals and set up a network of 24-hour community mental health centres capable of dealing with the most severe conditions and of supporting
clients in their daily life, with a view towards recovery and social inclusion.
Mustard Seed Communities, a project of the Digicel Foundation Jamaica, facilitates the development
of minimum assisted-living communities and provides employment for persons with disabilities by
offering housing solutions and economic viability via skills training and equipment. The skills training
provided in craft and furniture-making increases the employability of people with disabilities, while the
provision of fishery, egg, and chicken materials increases the self-reliance of their assisted living facilities via enterprise development.
Problems targeted
Persons with mental health issues used to be held,
treated, and categorized as inmates, kept in a locked
institution, and excluded from families and community.
56
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
The Trieste DMH manages 4 community
mental health centres, each open 24 hours/
7 days a week, with 48 beds.
The mental health system includes a rehabilitation and residential support service, with
45 beds in group-homes, as well as a network of 15 social cooperatives, that integrate
persons with mental health issues and other
disabilities as full members of a social firm.
Each year 160 clients receive a personal
budgeted plan of care.
Problems targeted
An estimated 60 percent of Jamaicas population
with disabilities are between 18 and 65 years old, and
the majority of these adults are unable to find gainful
employment. Furthermore, despite the existence of
a national strategy, the transition from institutional
care to services that allow persons with disabilities
to live within his or her own community and/or family
environment is still not a reality in Jamaica.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Mustard Seed Communities (MSC) is an
international organization with 12 residential
centres throughout Jamaica catering to
some 400 abandoned children and adults
with disabilities.
MSC employs nearly 400 local workers,
including many with disabilities.
The Digicel Jamaica Foundation has
invested $247,000 in the program to date.
57
The project advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities to actively participate in the electoral
and political process through training and awareness-raising campaigns. Persons with disabilities are
empowered to participate in community groups, such as womens groups, school management committees, youth clubs, cooperatives, etc.
Together with the Moldovan Government, Lumos has promoted an integrated policy and program
of de-institutionalisation and inclusive education for children with disabilities. This allows them to
leave residential care and to return to their families and communities while receiving education in a
mainstream school.
Problems targeted
Persons with disabilities are isolated and excluded
from mainstream civic, political, and electoral activities in rural areas of Nepal, where disability is taken
as a health issue. Consequently, the political participation of those with disabilities is seldom considered
at the decision-making level. In addition, there are
still legal restrictions preventing persons of unsound
mind from voting.
Problems targeted
In 2007 approximately half of all children in institutions were those with disabilities living in residential special schools, separated from their families
because the only education for such children was
provided in segregated schools. When the government initially started a deinstitutionalisation program,
it mainly focused on children without disabilities.
58
Credit: Lumos
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
The number of children in institutions has
been reduced from more than 11,500 to less
than 4,000 during the period of 20072013.
The number of children with disabilities in
inclusive schools reached nearly 4,500 in
2013.
an accessible environment.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
1 national and 6 district-level disabled
peoples organizations as well as
120 disability-inclusive groups received
training, and are now actively promoting
civic, political, and electoral rights.
Approximately 1,200 persons with disabilities are members of ward citizen forums,
and thus participate in local decision-making
processes.
More than 1,050 persons with various
disabilities are now registered through the
regular voter registration process.
59
Uloba, Independent Living Norway, is a cross-disability organization that has developed the concept of
personal assistance based on the Independent Living ideology. Five disabled entrepreneurs founded
the organization in 1991 with the goal of achieving equality for disabled people by providing them with
personal assistance and the opportunity to live independently and join the work force on an equal basis with others. Uloba is organized as a cooperative society owned by its members all disabled.
Problems targeted
Disabled people in Norway have been at the mercy
of institutions, home care services, and various
measures based on the medical model of disability.
They have not been considered as a discriminated
group with the same right as others to enjoy human
rights and participate in society, nor have they viewed
themselves in such a perspective. The medical
approach to disability is still strong in the health care
and assistant service sectors.
60
Since 2008, Callan Services for Disabled Persons has provided nationwide educational and
vocational training to children and youths with hearing impairments, as well as capacity-building to
school teachers on a local level to facilitate the inclusion of these young people in general education
institutions.
Problems targeted
Child deafness, often a consequence of malaria or
other infection, is widely spread in Papua New Guinea.
Approximately 67 percent of all children have ear
and hearing problems, and up to 48 percent suffer
hearing loss. This hidden disability is a leading cause
of school drop-out, exclusion, and malnutrition, thus
contributing to the cycle of child poverty.
matter of shifting funds from institutions and homecare services to personal assistants and to teaching
and facilitating people to work. Our system also
entails savings in public administration costs relating
to counselling, training, and work supervision.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Half of Ulobas administrative staff consists
of disabled people.
Some 2,900 disabled people in 150 Norwegian municipalities currently make use of
personal assistance.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Since the beginning of the project Callan
Services has reached over 100,000 children
and adults.
The project currently has 20 people directly
employed by Callan Services.
Nationwide, a minimum of 60 additional
teachers employed by the Department of
Education are directly linked to the project.
There are 1,100 members and 5,700 assistants on the Uloba payroll.
Uloba played a key role in implementing a
new law making personal assistance a legal
right for individuals who need assistance for
more than 25 hours a week and are under
the age of 67.
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Empowerment through
peer-to-peer support
RWANDA / NOUSPR
Through the collection of personal stories, the project aims at giving a voice to persons with psychosocial disabilities at the community, national, and international level. Peer-to-peer support, economic
empowerment, and advocacy lead to their full participation in political and public life and enable
self-determination and independent living.
Through an online database the project brings together and shares information among existing and
new community-based service providers for young people with disabilities in three areas: education,
employment, and social protection. Networking among individuals and organizations on the local level
helps to improve the quality of their services and to better assist the target group.
Problems targeted
Persons with intellectual disabilities face a lack of
social support from the state, limited education
and employment opportunities, and the absence of
sustainable livelihoods. In addition, verbal, physical,
and sexual abuse are commonly experienced in
institutional settings.
62
Problems targeted
Local governments lack the capacity to implement
laws and regulations to conform to the new national
Law on Social Protection. Also, there is an insufficient
number of active service providers, and there is no
sustainable mechanism for long-term implementation
of community-based services.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
59 questionnaires were completed in 4
local governments to collect information on
service providers capacities, accessibility,
human resources, type of service provider
(civil, public, private), sources of finance,
frequency and quality of services, and type
and number of beneficiaries.
According to research results, 21 new and
38 existing service providers were identified.
More than 40 service providers entered their
profiles on the projects online database.
The projects web portal is visited by up to
1,000 persons per month.
To date, 109 final users young persons with
disabilities and their families have benefitted from the services implementation.
63
The Living Link was founded in 2000 and aims to improve the lives of intellectually disabled adults by
developing and enhancing their true potential. This development happens through a one-year Adult
Integration Programme, which consists of (1) Teaching the essential work readiness and life-skills
needed for intellectually disabled adults to become independent and integrated members of society
(five months); (2) Providing work training and experience that enables these adults to be employable in
the open labour market (five and a half months); and (3) Attending a five-day Independent Living tour,
during which newly learned skills are applied and assessed.
The Universal Ballot Template (UBT) is a voting aid made of hard black plastic into which a ballot paper
is inserted. The right front of the template has a flap that has cut-out windows numbered in Braille and
in large, raised white print. When the ballot paper is inserted into the template, each window aligns to
a particular candidate or party, and the voter is free to make his or her secret and independent mark
accurately. This can be used by blind and partially-sighted people, low-vision users, people who are
dyslexic, the elderly, people with low literacy, and people with motor and nervous conditions that do
not allow for a steady hand.
Problems targeted
Due to the lack of life and work skills, there are
negative stereotypes of people living with disabilities,
leading to their disempowerment and exclusion from
society. As such, the program strives to provide them
with independence, work readiness skills, social
acceptance and integration, a better quality of life,
and employment.
64
The program
strives to provide
them with independence, work
readiness skills,
social acceptance
and integration, a
better quality of life,
and employment.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Problems targeted
The aim of the UBT is to assist voters with disabilities to vote independently without the assistance of
another person. Every person should have the right to
vote secretly, and this is only possible with the use of
the UBT.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
The UBT has been continuously used in
by-elections since June 2011, and since
then over 1,288 by-elections have been held
almost every month.
In 2014, UBT was used in national and provincial elections in which more than 18.6 million voters had the option available to them.
65
Cape Mental Health runs a unique Sexual Abuse Victim Empowerment (SAVE) program that empowers
intellectually disabled victims of sexual abuse and provides them with access to justice. The program
helps survivors prepare for court proceedings and helps the legal system to understand their special
needs. Clinical psychologists administer psychometric tests to determine the complainants level of
intellectual functioning and ability to consent to sexual intercourse. They also assess the competence
of the complainant to act as witness and then make recommendations in a court report.
Problems targeted
People with intellectual disabilities are easy prey for
sexual predators, and cases of sexual abuse are
common.
The Oficina de Vida Independiente (OVI Madrid) is a project run by the NGO ASPAYM-Madrid to provide free personal assistance services (PAS) to disabled people within the Madrid region. The project
has been funded by the Madrid local government since its founding in July 2006, and since September
2013 it has been co-funded by the European Social Fund. The services provided are designed to be
sufficient to fully support all areas of the participants lives, covering self-care, household care, study,
work, mobility, leisure, travel, etc. on a 365-days-a-year basis.
Problems targeted
Currently, personal assistant budgets are just
0.02 percent of total government services and
budgets provided by law, and personal assistance
is still widely unknown in Spain. The Madrid regional
government and ASPAYM-Madrid together launched
the OVI Madrid project in order to test how personal
assistance works in real life. Initially, it was designed
as a pilot project for 35 people, but it soon showed
its potential and was increased to 60. The primary
objective of the project is to provide sufficient personal assistance services to disabled people within
the Madrid region to allow them to live fully productive
and participatory lives.
Carol BOSCH
Cape Mental Health, 22 Ivy Rd, Observatory, 7925, Cape Town
Phone: 021-4479040 [email protected]
www.capementalhealth.co.za
66
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
SAVE achieved a 28.1 percent conviction
rate, greater than the 25 percent conviction
rate indicated by the Law Commission for
cases from the general population.
From just a few cases beginning in 1990, the
Department of Justice currently refers more
than 100 cases per annum to SAVE for psychometric assessment, court preparation,
case planning, and assistance.
In February 2007, SAVE received a Silver
Award from the Impumelelo Innovations
Award Trust for its pioneering work, and in
2010 it received an award from the South
African Federation for Mental Health for
Innovative Program in the Field of Intellectual Disability.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
137,000 hours of PAS were provided and
paid for during 2013.
As a result, 59 people have been living their
own lives, wherever they choose, and all of
them are working, studying, and/or participating in social activities.
A social return of investment study conducted by an external consulting firm showed
that for every 100 of public funds invested
91.64 is returned to the government via
work and taxes.
67
The British Telecom (BT) and Scope Beaumont College technology project Connect to Control/Mind
the Gap centres on the use of Environmental Control Systems (ECS) and how equipment from the
mainstream home automation market can be used and made accessible and affordable to students/
service users with disabilities. A key factor that adds value to the BT partnership is that colleagues in
services, policy, and fundraising have genuinely collaborated on project outcomes.
The SPECTRUM Centre for Independent Living is an established user-led organization (ULO)
run by persons with disabilities. It peer-supports the development of new ULOs through the
sharing of experiences and information, offering a platform for lessons learned, and providing
advice and mentoring.
Problems targeted
The main barrier is that normal equipment from the
smart home market is not accessible to people with
complex needs due to poor interface design. Therefore, the following criteria have been set:
1. to make a mainstream, off-the-shelf communication and environmental control system accessible to
disabled people;
2. to reduce the price of enabling technology;
3. to increase the functionality and range of technologies available to disabled people;
4. to explore why mainstream technology does not
meet the needs of disabled people; and
5. to Influence the development plans of environmental control suppliers
Solution & Methodology
A working prototype (based on the Vera 2 Z-Wave
hub) has been demonstrated to a number of age
and disability focused ECS companies, which has in
some cases influenced their development plans as a
result. The prototypes method of using mainstream
68
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
23 ECS systems have been installed over
the life of the project: 19 at Beaumont
College and 4 in community living houses.
A report (Enabling Technology) has been
published and the whole project has had
wide exposure: presented at two conferences, one journal paper, and one public lecture
at the Royal Society, London.
The approaches taken in the prototype system have now been developed into a commercial product called SmartHub, produced
by Therapy Box (www.therapy-box.co.uk).
Problems targeted
UK Government policy requires all local authorities
to support and encourage user-led organizations
to develop new services through user involvement.
Often, local policies are hostile to ULO development;
and while local authorities may want to support
ULOs, they do not know how to go about doing so.
Likewise, new ULOs often do not know where to go
for guidance.
seminar held in October 2014 for ULOs and other organizations that are concerned about hate crimes in the United
Kingdom.
and facilities that it has developed will remain available to new ULOs even after the project concludes.
All findings and resources are transferable to any
developing user-led organization supporting any
disadvantaged group (e.g., older people, gays and
lesbians, immigration groups, etc.).
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Developed 3 new ULOs in Hampshire, 1 in
Portsmouth, and 1 in Southampton. Engaged,
trained, and supported 95 persons with disabilities to be involved in co-production with
local authorities or to develop a new ULO.
In cooperation with the local authorities
of Hampshire, SPECTRUM CIL organized
a home care competition whereby small
ULOs could propose an innovative new way
of providing independent living services. As
a result, two ULOs received 4,000 each to
develop their ideas and to actually provide
these services.
69
The project provides advice and information to disabled people on receiving community-care direct
payments, creating an individual budget, securing social service funding in relation to care needs,
and getting general advice on employing personal assistants. A free download area on the project
website (www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/helplines/independent-living-advice-line) and a
bi-monthly newsletter share personal stories and Q&A sections with a broad audience.
Activities Unlimited (AU) has collaborated with Scope to create this unique service delivering short-
break activities for disabled children and young people (DCYP) aged 0 to 25 in Suffolk, UK. Built on
the pick and choose model of a travel agency, it is aimed at tackling barriers faced by parents/career
people who are seeking activities for their disabled children that are safe, fun, and appropriate, while
simultaneously giving parents and other caregivers regular breaks from their caring roles.
Problems targeted
Parents of DCYP require regular short breaks to enable them to continue to provide their children with the
care they need, but it has proven difficult for families
to find and arrange suitable activities for their disabled children during such times. Traditional respite
models lacked choice: The focus was primarily on
caring for the child, and was available only to those
with the highest needs. Further, long waiting lists did
not always consider the best outcomes of the child.
The team at Activities Unlimited works incredibly hard to support families who have
children with additional needs and to ensure
that these young people have access to a
whole host of fantastic opportunities and activities to enhance their social and life skills.
Cheryl SHARLAND, Head of Inclusive Services,
Suffolk County Council
Solution & Methodology
The AU model provides leisure activities for the DCYP
and short breaks for their parents/caregivers based
on need, taking into account the voice of children,
young people, and their families, and using fair,
understandable, and transparent eligibility criteria so
services are not just restricted to those in crisis situations. Families complete an online self-assessment
via the AU website. This identifies the level of offer
they receive, which could be an individual budget that
can be used to purchase activities, equipment, or 1-to1 support. Registered families are able to access a
70
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Family outcomes based on user evaluations:
We are able to go out as a family more
often (49%); Family outings and events
are now more enjoyable (46%); There are
more places/events for the family to go out
together (39%).
Parent outcomes: It allows us more quality
time with our children (60%); We feel better
able to cope (45%); We have more time to
ourselves and for having a social life (27%).
Problems targeted
Financial cuts to local and national services mean
there are gaps not only in knowledge of community-care direct payments, personal budgets, etc. but
also in where to find information and support on how
to apply for such personalised service assistance.
We deliver a knowledge-sharing
platform on personalised care
to allow disabled people to access
the same rights and opportunities
as their non-disabled peers.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Newsletters have been sent to more than
1,500 recipients, who are encouraged to
share them with their own networks.
Factsheets are downloaded more than
60,000 times per annum, and the number is
growing as more factsheets are added.
More than 800 telephone and email enquiries are received and responded to per
annum.
71
The Election Access Program of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) promotes
opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in the election process by providing specific
recommendations to officials regarding election services and the voting environment, such that voter
registration becomes more accessible, assistive devices such as tactile ballot guides are created, and
transportation to the polls is readily available. Training and advocacy also empowers persons with
disabilities to actively participate in the election process.
The three-week Womens Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) program of Mobility International USA (MIUSA) has trained more than 200 women with disabilities from over 80 countries on strategies for improving the lives of women and girls with disabilities. Utilizing the innovative WILD strategy
to move from exclusion to infiltration, they have formed partnerships with development organizations
and governments.
Problems targeted
Elected officials are unlikely to address the concerns
of people with disabilities, such as inclusive education
or accessible transportation, if people with disabilities
do not have a voice in the political process. Such
participation provides the basis for mainstreaming
their inclusion in all aspects of society by breaking
down social stigmas and increasing the accountability
of elected representatives.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Lead author of the first manual, Equal
Access, that provides government and civil
society with guidance on how to ensure
that persons with disabilities have a voice in
political life.
Developed an election access observation
checklist and trained over 700 people in 7
countries to be access observers.
Received the 2011 InterAction Disability
Inclusion Award.
72
Credit: IFES
Problems targeted
Founded in 1981, MIUSA is a disability-led non-profit
organization headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, working to advance the rights of people with disabilities
globally. By implementing innovative programs, MIUSA
is building bridges to create a new era in which
people with disabilities will take their rightful place in
the world community. Women with disabilities are one
of the most marginalized, under-served populations
in the world, yet they offer tremendous potential for
leadership and the ability to transform communities.
and women leaders with disabilities must build partnerships to make such inclusion sustainable.
Outlook & Transferability
Utilizing these strategies, disabled women activists
and the development community can break the strong
links between poverty and disability championing
the inclusion of women and girls with disabilities as
beneficiaries and leaders in the many life-enhancing and life-saving development programs that are
changing their communities.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
The 200-plus disabled women activists are
followed and measured in terms of their
impact and accomplishments.
Within 6 months of attending WILD: 72% of
WILD alumni received funding or in-kind sup
port from sources they acquired through WILD
92% of international development organization staff report that they had made changes
to their organizations policies, programs and
practices to be more inclusive as a result of
their participation in WILD.
73
Women with hearing disabilities from rural areas receive training and education to ensure their
participation in the job market. Informing families and communities about the needs and issues of
these women leads to greater understanding and inclusion, which in turn helps to empower them
economically and socially.
The five-year program has sought to secure the inclusion of people with disabilities in Zimbabwes
governance systems by advocating for their accessibility to polling stations and thus enhancing their
ability to vote secretly and independently. The program also aimed at ensuring proportional representation of people with disabilities in Parliament and other decision-making bodies, a quota system in
employment, lobbying for the creation of a disability ministry, and the enactment and implementation
of disability legislation.
Problems targeted
Girls with hearing impairments do not have access
to an education that would ensure them a dignified
life, and often they do not have the right to learn
unified Yemeni sign language. Thus, they cannot
communicate with others or express their needs
and opinions.
Problems targeted
The rights of people with disabilities were not explicitly defined in the constitution of Zimbabwe and most
sectors of society had no policies that were inclusive
of disability. This is because disability, in most sectors
of the society, is regarded as a charity issue rather
than a development or human rights issue. The Disability Act of 1992, reviewed in 1996, falls short in terms
of adequately addressing these rights. The participation of people with disabilities in decision-making
processes has been hindered by some restrictions
imposed by both physical and attitudinal barriers, including inaccessible buildings and the lack of access
to useful information.
In Haifan, Taiz, a deaf trainer teaches some 30 women with
hearing impairments how to sign.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
To date, 30 girls aged 1534 have participated in the programme.
5 teachers and women trainers are learning
sign language to become trainers of the
deaf.
74
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Several voter education exercises covered
all 29 wards in Mutoko district and the 18
wards in Mudzi district, reaching 2,817 people with disabilities, 750 caregivers, and 200
community leaders in Mutoko, and similar
numbers in Mudzi.
A 2009 baseline survey revealed that only 0.01
percent of voters in the 2008 elections were
people with disabilities, whereas the number
climbed to 3.6 percent in the 31 July 2013 harmonised elections a significant improvement
resulting from this governance program.
75
Success stories of
Innovative Practices 2014
The Zero Project awards Innovative Practices since 2013, using its current research and selection
procedure and with a thematic focus. In this section of the Zero Project Report, Innovative Practices of
the year 2014 were re-visited. Find selected news stories here.
ACCEO, FR ANCE
VERBAVOICE , GERMANY
VerbaVoice offers an innovative online interpreting technology as well as full services for
deaf and hard of hearing people: enabling
students to equally participate in class; accessible events with captions, interpreting and livestream. In October 2014 VerbaVoice was recognized as the regional winner of Bavaria within
the competition Start-up Champion 2014
of KfW Group (German government-owned
development bank). The prize was awarded
during the German start-up and entrepreneurs
days (deGUT). The award ceremony was held
at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and
Energy in Berlin.
76
77
Innovative Policies
2015
Selection and Key
Findings
78
Key findings
Fact Sheets
Policies of 2014
Life Stories
79
Key Findings of
Innovative Policies
ZERO PROJECT 2015
This year the Zero Project received 27 Innovative Policy nominations from around the world. Of these,
the Zero Project expert network selected 11 policies that measurably advance the right of persons with
disabilities to live independently and/or to exercise their political rights.
Definition
Innovative Policies have achieved identifiable improvements on the ground, and have demonstrated a positive dynamic of change that can be easily replicated
in many countries to advance the implementation of
the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CPRD). Like all innovation, some policies
may be incomplete or dependent on other developments to maximize their impact. Some policies, no
matter how positive, may also contain elements of old
thinking. Since the implementation of the UN CRPD
is a work in progress for all countries, these elements
are taken into account in the overall assessment of
innovation.
Methodology
The nomination, research, and selection process for
Innovative Policies is a multi-step approach, involving
a network of experts along the way.
80
Nomination
Each year the nomination process begins by contacting the full Zero Project network, asking nearly 2,000
experts worldwide to nominate Innovative Practices
and Innovative Policies (see previous chapter on
Innovative Practices for details). The Essl Foundation
then researches all practice nominations, while all policy nominations are researched by the World Future
Council. By July 2014, 27 policies from 20 countries
had been received.
Selection
In September 2014 more than 100 experts of the Zero
Project network including at least two from each
country where the shortlisted policies were implemented were invited to participate in the final round
to choose the Innovative Policies of the Zero Project
2015. The 11 Innovative Policies that were finally selected come from four continents and cover a broad
variety of approaches and backgrounds.
81
Peer counselling as an
approved profession
AUSTRIA / UPPER AUSTRIA , DIRECTOR ATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Acknowledging that peer counselling is crucial to empower persons with disabilities, Upper
Austria established for the first time worldwide peer counselling as an official social profession,
approving people with physical, psychosocial, and intellectual disabilities as skilled professionals
in their field.
In brief
A peer counsellor has intimate knowledge of disabilities, is emphatic towards similarly affected people,
and is uniquely able to provide guidance and assistance to help others take greater control of their lives
in their homes, their communities, and their work
place. With the help of the regional Independent Living Centre, Upper Austria introduced peer counselling
as a social profession in 2008, and it remains the only
region to do so worldwide. In addition, nowhere else
is peer counselling based on such comprehensive
qualifications, or places such value on the experience
of disabilities.
Innovative aspects
Disability as an asset: As a role model, a peer counsellors experiences, knowledge, and coping skills
uniquely equip him/her to provide guidance and
advice to other persons with disabilities.
Professionalism: Establishment of peer counselling
as a social profession provides for a high standard of
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FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Since 2009 disability-specific qualification
courses (psychosocial, physical, intellectual,
etc.) have certified more than 70 professionals.
In 2014, 76 peer counsellors offered up to
1,320 hours of service per week, tailored to
various types of disability.
Counsellors are active in a variety of
organizations.
I would like to
encourage people with
psychiatric problems to
engage openly.
Recently, Gerda Stllnberger concluded Upper
Austrias peer counsellor qualification course,
becoming a professional peer counsellor with
psychiatric experience. With the peer counselling qualification, I have become more confident
and I have learned to better delimit myself, says
Ms. Stllnberger. During the qualification course
I got to know many interesting people. As a peer
counsellor with psychiatric experience, I would like
to encourage people with psychiatric problems to
engage openly with their problems, and I want to
accompany them with compassion. Ideally, I hope
to exercise my skills as a peer counsellor on a fulltime basis.
Wolfgang GLASER
Empowerment-Centre, Independent Living Centre,
Bethlehemstrae 3, 4020 Linz, Upper Austria
Phone: +43 73 28 90 04 61 3 [email protected]
www.sli-emc.at www.sli-ooe.at
Sources: Upper Austrias Social Professions Act, 2008 (in German): http://bit.ly/1v43MKl
Gisela Hermes, Frderung der Selbstbestimmung durch Empowerment, 2010 (in German): http://bit.ly/1oLLpaX
83
Flanders Personal
Assistance Budget
BELGIUM / FLANDERS, MINISTRY FOR WELFARE & AGENCY FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY
The support that persons with disabilities receive is often based on the charity model and not on
human rights. In Flanders persons with disabilities can chose to receive a Personal Assistance Budget,
which allows them to fully control the support they receive.
In brief
In 2000, the Belgian Flemish Region approved Personal Assistance Budgets (PAB). Similar to Swedish
law, the most important feature of a PAB is that the
person with disabilities (or their representatives)
controls both the assistance and the assistance
budget, not the assistance provider. The budget
holder decides who works as an assistant, for which
assignments, at what time, and where and how the
assistance will take place.
Innovative aspects
An alternative to institutionalization: Personal Assistance Budgets provide an alternative to the institutionalization of children and adults with disabilities
and enable these individuals and their families to live
and participate in the community, as set out in article
19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities.
Self-determination: Since PAB users are free to determine and organize their own assistance and care
corresponding to their needs and preferences, the
budget enables them to make their own life choices
and to develop their personal talents.
Context
In general, the Flemish Government funds licensed
service providers for the number of persons with
disabilities they assist, treat, and care for. Service
users have no influence or control over the support
and its organization. If the service user wants to leave
the service, he or she loses funding and support, and
is put on a waiting list. In 1987 some Flemish pioneers
with disabilities founded Independent Living Flanders,
which raised awareness about the abilities of individuals with disabilities and their need for personal
84
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Credit: Onafhankelijk Leven vzw
A young man works on a computer with the help of his personal assistant
Only thanks to my
personal assistance
budget am I able
to keep on doing what
I do now: going to
work and being a father
and a husband.
Peter, a PAB user
Els WINTERS
Vlaams Agentschap voor Personen met een Handicap
PAB-cel Sterrenkundelaan 30, 1210 Brussels, Belgium
Phone: +32 (0) 2 225 85 26 [email protected]
www.vaph.be
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Around the world, restrictions of voting rights based on intellectual disabilities and the lack of
legal capacity deprive people of their political rights. Court cases are key to repealing such
discriminatory provisions. In 2013 a prominent court case in Japan led to the enfranchisement
of more than 136,000 persons.
In brief
Until recently, Japans Election Law deprived people
under adult guardianship of their right to vote and
to stand for elections. In a spectacular court case in
2013, the Tokyo District Court judged this relevant
article unconstitutional. As a result, the Parliament
swiftly in only 74 days after the ruling repealed the
discriminatory article, which led to the enfranchisement of more than 136,000 persons under guardianship.
Innovative aspects
Successful court case: This is the first time that a
court in Japan has ruled that it is unconstitutional for
the Election Law to deprive persons under guardianship of their right to vote.
Voting regardless guardianship: The ruling promotes
the right to vote regardless of guardianship a milestone in recognizing the legal capacity and political
rights of persons with disabilities, as required by the
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 5 (non-discrimination), Article 12 (equal
recognition before the law), and Article 29 (right to
participation in political and public life).
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FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Initial Year: 2013
The non-governmental organization Inclusion Japan collected 410,000 signatures in
support of the court case.
The court found the provisions depriving
persons under guardianship of their voting
rights unconstitutional.
Parliament promptly revised the Election
Law accordingly.
Speedy revision by Parliament: Wide public support in favour of this ruling pressured members of
Parliament, both ruling and opposition, to revise the
Election Law in only 74 days after the ruling.
Context
Each year in Japan about 24,000 people are placed
under Koken the most restrictive category of adult
guardianship which deprives persons with disabilities, among others, of their right to vote. One such
Key Features
The presiding judge, the Hon. Jozuka Makoto, ruled
that the right to vote and to run for elections is a fundamental right and is guaranteed in different articles
of the Constitution. The restriction of this right can be
Sources: Nagase Osamu, Deprivation of voting rights ruled unconstitutional, 2013: http://bit.ly/1qzCKIA
Inclusion International, Voting Rights Restored by the Revision of Election Law, 2013: http://bit.ly/1GRMJPj
87
Because policies targeting people with disabilities are often not coordinated, people have difficulty
finding their way through the bureaucracy. A national disability information centre is a classic
win-win solution: It assists people with their administrative procedures and helps policy makers to
shape inclusive policies.
In brief
Info-Handicap is a national disability information
and meeting centre, founded in 1993 by 16 disability
organizations. While the idea for such a centre came
from the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration, and for
the Greater Region, which also financially supports it,
Info-Handicap is under the full control of its disability
member organizations. The centre assists people with
disabilities to find their way through complex administrative procedures and competences. Additionally, Info-Handicap has become a driver of inclusive policies
as well as the main contact on any disability-related
questions.
Innovative aspects
A driver for inclusive policies: One of the major
challenges in the implementation of inclusive policies
is to organize the dialogue between decision makers
and civil society. Info-Handicaps unique position
allows it to receive and dispatch input from and to all
levels, and thereby to function as a hub that facilitates such a dialogue smoothly and on a permanent
basis.
Identification of challenges and solutions: This
leads firstly to improved identification and understanding of the existing challenges and, secondly,
to increased opportunities for developing adequate
solutions.
Concrete help: Info-Handicap offers information and
guidance for persons with disabilities, for members
of their family and social circle, as well as for others
who are interested. This includes a legal information
service and, in cases of discrimination, a meeting with
a lawyer.
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borders. Recently, Info-Handicap assisted in elaborating a strategy for setting up a national disability action
plan, and functions as a resource centre in this area.
Key Features
Info-Handicap offers information and guidance for
persons with disabilities, for members of their family
and social environment, as well as for others who
are interested in the field of disability. Staff assists
persons with disabilities to fill in forms or write letters,
and to address the correct contact points in the most
direct way. In addition, they organize legal assistance
and, in cases of discrimination, there is the possibility
to meet with a lawyer free of charge. They undertake
activities for supporting independent living, offer
training, organize awareness-raising events, and
promote accessibility. Importantly, they encourage
their members to insist on the right to inclusion and
not to accept exclusive mechanisms. The work of
Info-Handicap is continually monitored by the Ministry
and member organizations.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Initial Year 1993
Info-Handicap now has 55 member organizations in Luxembourg.
In 2013, 2,271 persons asked for advice
and 597 used the centres legal information
service.
Info-Handicap has developed guidance
books and has influenced laws and practices
in Luxembourg and beyond.
Since 2005 the centre has held the accessibility competition A municipality for everybody.
Context
In 1989 the Government of Luxembourg decided that
policies targeting people with disabilities should be
coordinated. The Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration, and for the Greater Region was entrusted with
the implementation of this idea, and it developed the
project of a national disability information centre financially supported by the government, but managed
under the control of national disability organizations.
In April 1993, 16 disability organizations, which together formed the National Disability Council, founded
Info-Handicap and signed a funding agreement
with the government. Since then, Info-Handicap has
constantly sought to carry out its mandate, including
initiatives that have an impact beyond Luxembourgs
Credit: Info-Handicap
Info-Handicap plays an
important role in empowering
persons with disabilities as
well as in involving civil
society in decision-making.
I highly recommend
other countries to follow a
similar path.
Mrs. Corinne Cahen,
Minister of Family Affairs, Integration, and for the Greater Region
Silvio SAGRAMOLA
Info-Handicap, National Disability Information and Meeting Centre
65, avenue de la gare, L-1611 Luxembourg
Phone: +35 2 366 466-1 [email protected]
www.info-handicap.lu
Nominated by Mr. Silvio SAGRAMOLA, Info-Handicap National Disability Information and Meeting Centre, Luxembourg
Sources: Info-Handicap, Statute: http://bit.ly/1m5MCIG; Info-Handicap, List of Members: http://bit.ly/1q3tbLT;
Info-Handicap, Guide du Handicap: http://bit.ly/1oUFS1N; Info-Handicap, Activity Report: http://bit.ly/1s45Efs
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Improving access to
electoral events
NEW ZEAL AND / ELECTOR AL COMMIS SION
Persons with disabilities may encounter a number of barriers when enrolling and voting at
elections. To ensure that all aspects of the electoral process are accessible to these
persons, New Zealands Electoral Commission has implemented a comprehensive strategy,
in close cooperation with civil society.
In brief
In 2014, New Zealands Electoral Commission finalized
its Access 2020 Disability Strategy. This strategy takes
the improvements made over the past three electoral
cycles and embeds them into a longer-term framework, through which the Commission aims to reduce
barriers that persons with disabilities may encounter
when enrolling and voting at elections. In addition, it
provides information in accessible formats and maintains strong relationships with the disability sector.
Innovative aspects
Telephone dictation voting: In 2012 electoral regulations for the first time enabled anyone who is blind,
partially blind, or has another physical disability that
prevents them from marking their paper ballot
without assistance to cast a secret ballot from home
via telephone dictation.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Initial Year 2014
The Commission offers a wide range of
information and resources in accessible
formats.
Some 1,500 videos, 8,000 large brochures,
15,000 Plain English Guides, and 11,000
posters have been produced.
Web content also appears in New Zealand
sign language.
11,500 videos explaining telephone dictation
voting have been distributed.
Context
Since 2005 the Electoral Commission has been
working to improve access to electoral events for
New Zealanders with disabilities. In consultation with
the disability sector, action plans were developed and
implemented for the 2005, 2008, and 2011 elections
that detailed initiatives to improve accessibility of venues and information. Access 2020 takes the improvements made over the past three electoral cycles and
embeds them into a longer-term framework. When
preparing Access 2020, the Electoral Commission
first published a consultation document in a range of
accessible formats and wherever submissions could
be made in writing, verbally, in sign language, and
online. The Commission then prepared a draft strategy for the second phase of consultation, in which
it invited a range of disabled peoples organizations
as well as the countrys Human Rights Commission.
Their feedback helped the Commission to refine the
accessibility initiatives proposed in the strategy.
Key Features
Existing accessibility initiatives of the Electoral
Commission include that every enrolled voter is sent
an EasyVote information pack; that election officials
assess all voting places against access criteria;
and that anyone can ask a friend, family member, or
electoral official for help. Access 2020 goes beyond
these efforts and aims foremost to enable voters with
disabilities to cast a secret ballot. Telephone dictation voting was introduced in 2014 for those who are
visually impaired or have another disability. Access
2020 focuses on making more information available
in accessible formats so that everyone can access
the Electoral Commissions services in ways that
meet their needs. In addition, Access 2020 recognizes the crucial relationship with the disability sector
so that continous consultations on improvement are
carried out.
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Persons with disabilities rarely become Members of Parliament; and if they do, they need equal
access to all parliamentary facilities. South Africa has implemented steps that ensure the
inclusiveness of its Parliament and that allow all Members with disabilities to participate on an
equal basis with others.
In brief
In 2006 and 2009, South Africas Parliament introduced policies that contain extensive support measures for Members of Parliament and employees with
disabilities. The provision of reasonable accommodation has led to measures that go beyond individual
support and that benefit the whole Parliament. These
include the establishment of institutionalised sign
language interpreter services, a braille production
unit, electronic text announcements, and more.
Innovative aspects
Covering costs for reasonable accommodation: Both
policies cover the costs for reasonable accommodation, which means to appropriately modify and adjust
so as to enable persons with disabilities to work as
effectively as others. This concept is a core element
of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities.
Systematic removal of barriers: The provision of
reasonable accommodation has led to measures
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FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Initial years: 2006 and 2009
Currently, 3 of the 11 Members of Parliament
(MP) with disabilities and 10 employees receive support, as so MPs who have children
with disabilities.
Parliament has purchased assistive devices
for sports, work, and employees personal
development.
Parliament is developing a database to
collect more information on the reasonable accommodation needs of persons with
disabilities.
93
Citizens with disabilities regularly encounter barriers that prevent them from voting and participating
in electoral processes. To assist its citizens, Spain introduced two important regulations that eliminate
a number of these barriers.
In brief
With its two regulations of 2007 and 2011, Spain has
introduced for the first time a voting procedure for
blind electors as well as basic conditions of accessibility and non-discrimination for persons with disabilities to participate in elections and political life. This
latter legislation is a broader policy framework aimed
at improving the implementation of participatory
rights. It provides, for example, free sign language
interpretation to members of polling stations and
establishes that political parties need to ensure that
their election materials are accessible to persons with
disabilities.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Initial Year: 2007
Since 2008 special voting procedures have
been in place for blind electors.
In 2011, 21,434 buildings with polling stations
were accessible; 8,726 provided free transport services; and 1,367 accessible voting
kits and 81 support measures were provided.
Key Features
Under Royal Decree 1612/2007, voters with visual
impairments have to inform the Minister of Interior of
their special needs. The voter then receives documentation in braille and can use a standardized ballot.
The Ministry has also to provide accessible information on candidates. Royal Decree 422/2011 provides
that premises of polling stations, websites with
electoral information, all institutional information and
procedures, as well as spaces of election campaign
must be accessible; and that deaf members of polling
stations must receive free sign language interpretation. In addition, candidates, political parties, etc. shall
ensure that their election campaign activities, election
materials, public activities, websites, printed documentation, and the like are all accessible. To evaluate
the implementation, the Ministry prepares a report
after each national election.
Outcome, impact, and effectiveness
In 2011 over 200 accessibility improvements of polling stations were carried out (ramps, signage, etc.).
In 2011 a substantial improvement in ensuring
access to the exercise of the fundamental right to
vote for persons with disabilities was reported by
the Ministry.
Of the total budget of 124,838,130 available for
the Parliamentary Elections of November 2011,
508,415 was spent on accessibility.
Transferability, scalability, and cost-efficiency
These policies are readily transferable to other
countries. To date, Costa Rica has requested infor
mation about both regulations and about their
implementation.
Credit: ONCE
Accessible voting kits were ensure the exercise of the right to vote by
secret ballot to all blind people who know Braille and who had previously
requested it.
Innovative aspects
Regulating electoral accessibility: While many accessibility measures were already being undertaken
based on protocols, their legal regulation constitutes
a new step in the process of ensuring the full exercise
of the rights of citizens with disabilities.
Cooperating with the disability sector: A range of
disability organizations is involved in implementation
of the regulations, such as providing for sign language
interpretation. Inductive Loops are provided for persons with hearing impairments, as well as accessible
documents.
Consistent reporting: Following each election, evaluation reports on accessibility prepared with input
from provincial level election officials, disabled people
organizations, and other stakeholders are sent to
the Central Electoral Commission; to the Ministry
of Health, Social Services, and Equality; and to the
National Disability Council.
94
Context
The Spanish legal framework reflects a concept of
accessibility, which originates from the social model of disability and which recognizes people with
disabilities as active subjects and citizens with rights.
Royal Decree 1612/2007, providing for an accessible
voting procedure for people with visual disabilities, is
the result of a legal mandate included in the amendment of the Electoral Act. Disability organizations
were invited to participate in the drafting process by
the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Health.
Royal Decree 422/2011 implements Law No. 51 of
2003, which contained a mandate for the government
to establish the basic conditions of accessibility
and non-discrimination to be met by environments,
products, and services necessary for the participation
of people with disabilities in political and electoral
processes.
Nominated by Ms Laura Diego GARCIA, Ministry of Health, Social Services, and Equality
Sources: Royal Decree 1612/2007, of 7th December: http://bit.ly/1tQdzNC; Royal Decree 422/2011, of 25th March: http://bit.ly/1qHKjsm;
Ministry of Interior, Evaluation Report, 2012: http://bit.ly/1tQ5qKY
95
Many countries are still far from the goal of enabling persons with extensive disabilities to choose
the support that best suits their needs. Sweden stands out in offering citizens a wide range
of alternatives and control over the services they need, including the right to a Personal Assistance
Budget.
In brief
Sweden is one of the few countries that legally
entitles persons with severe disabilities to a personal
assistance budget (PAB). This monthly sum from
the National Social Insurance covers 100 percent of
service costs, and enables individuals themselves to
purchase self-directed personal assistance services from public and private entities. The amount
of the PAB is independent of the individuals or the
familys finances. Notably, the policy has created a
demand-driven market for personal assistance where
providers compete for customers on the basis of
service quality.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Initial Year: 1993
In 2013 some 19,500 people received a personal assistance budget.
98 percent of recipients pointed to personal
assistance as the most important factor for
their quality of life.
By 2014, 230 local governments and over
800 private entities offered personal assistance services on a competitive basis.
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Key Features
With the provision of ten measures for special
support, including the right to a personal assistance
budget, Sweden enshrined the right to good living
conditions for persons with major and permanent
physical, mental, and intellectual impairments. The
personal assistance budget is granted in the form of
assistance hours, which are based on the individuals
needs. The budget can cover up to 24 hours a day/7
days a week, and can even be used for more than one
personal assistant, if needed. A monthly sum from
the National Social Insurance covers 100 percent of
service costs and goes directly to the users who, with
maximum self-determination, can contract providers
of their choice (municipality, company, or cooperative)
or employ assistants by themselves (by starting their
own private company). The amount funded for 2013
was SEK275 (about 28) per hour.
Outcome, impact, and effectiveness
Swedens citizens with extensive disabilities are free
to choose where and how to live. About 90 percent
live in ordinary homes, either alone or together with
a partner, a housemate, or parents.
Approximately 80,000 people work as personal
assistants 2 percent of the labour force.
Taxpayers have saved an estimated 3 billion since
1994, compared to the costs of home-helper services.
Innovative aspects
municipal community-based home-helper or semi-institutional cluster home services, in which they had no influence. Many different, often unfamiliar, workers would
come and assist with even the most intimate tasks. The
reform, inspired by the Independent Living philosophy,
enables individuals to customize services according
to their particular needs, with maximum control over
everyday life. The need for personal assistance, however, grew faster than expected, and therefore the law
and its interpretation have been amended many times.
Context
The disability movement was the main force in bringing
about the Act Concerning Support and Service to
Persons with Certain Functional Impairments and the
Assistance Benefit Act, which were enacted by the
Swedish Parliament in 1993 as part of a broader disability policy reform. Previously, persons with extensive
needs for daily living were deeply dissatisfied with the
97
Personal Ombudsmen
in Sweden
SWEDEN / SOCIALST YRELSEN NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH AND WELFARE
Guardianship, hospitalization, institutionalization, powerlessness, isolation, drug addiction, homelessness, suicide, and violence are among the negative situations and conditions that the Swedish
system of Personal Ombudsman helps to prevent proving to be a true change maker in the lives
of many persons with disabilities.
In brief
In 2000, Sweden established a nationwide system
of Personal Ombudsmen that provides support in
decision-making for persons with severe mental
or psychosocial disabilities. Personal Ombudsmen
(POs) are highly skilled persons who do outreach
work and establish trusting relationships with
individuals in need of support. They assist individuals
in taking control of their own situation, identify care
needs, and ensure that these individuals receive the
necessary help. POs have no medical responsibility,
nor do they make any decisions in the capacity of an
authority; they work only to represent the individuals
they assist.
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Initial Year: 2000
In 2014, 310 POs provided support to more
than 6,000 individuals.
In 2014, 245 municipalities (84 percent)
included POs in their social service system.
A 2005 study reported that individuals with
disabilities who are supported by a PO
require less care and that their psychosocial
situation improves.
Innovative aspects
Empowerment: A PO makes contact with persons
living in isolation and poverty. As many individuals
with severe psychosocial disabilities are very suspicious, the PO has to reach them step-by-step by
developing a channel of communication, establishing
a relationship, starting a dialogue, and gaining their
trust.
Accessibility: There is no complicated formal procedure to enlist the support of a PO, since many
psychiatric patients would back out of the process if
they had to sign forms. Instead, they simply need to
ask for help.
Peaceful resolution of conflict: Prior to having a PO,
many individuals are angry about their social environment because of past bad experiences. POs help to
solve most conflicts: with neighbours, with family, with
psychiatry, and with social services.
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Context
While the PO scheme has drawn on models found
in the United States and the United Kingdom, it
differs considerably from these. From 1995 to 1998
the government funded ten pilot projects, of which
several were run by municipalities, some were set
up by civil society, and one (PO- Skne) was set up
by an organization of persons who formerly used
institutional and psychiatric care. As the pilot project
evaluation showed both good qualitative and quantitative outcomes, the Parliament decided in 2000
to expand permanently the PO system to the whole
country. A 2005 study reported that the scheme is
profitable in socioeconomic terms since individuals
with PO support require less care and their psychosocial situation improves. As a result, the National
Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) began
to promote the PO as a new social profession. In 2013
a new regulation entered into force that established
permanent funding for the PO system.
Key Features
A PO holds an independent position in a municipalitys
social services system and supports individuals who
have a complex need of care due to a psychiatric
disability. The first step of a PO is to establish a trusting relationship, which means he or she must be 100
percent on the side of the individual even if the individuals interests should run counter to the opinions of
other professionals. It is common for the individual to
establish contact with a PO, or for the relevant social
or psychiatric services to do so, or that it takes place
through a user organization. Once trust is established,
the PO maps the client needs. As a third step, the
PO and the client draw up a joint action plan. Usually,
POs work for municipalities; in some places they work
for foundations, voluntary or care associations, or
even businesses. In general, two or three POs work
together, each serving about 15 clients a year.
Image from the video Paving the way to recovery the Personal
Ombudsman System
99
Around the world persons with disabilities are underrepresented in public life, but this is not the case
in Uganda. The country legislated that elected political bodies at all levels must reserve a minimum
number of seats for representatives of persons with disabilities.
Credit: NUDIPU
Hon. Asamo Hellen Grace, one of Ugandas parliamentarians representing persons with disabilities of Eastern Uganda in Parliament, speaking
at a conference on disability & HIV and AIDS, organised by National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda
In brief
Ugandas Constitution of 1995 rules that the State
shall ensure fair representation of marginalized
groups including persons with disabilities on all
government bodies. As a result, legislators have
passed several acts to increase the representation
of persons with disabilities in the public sphere.
Parliament has reserved five seats for Members who
represent persons with disabilities; and every village,
parish, sub-county, and district council has to include
at least one man and one woman with a disability.
Ugandas 47,000 representatives with disabilities are
easily the largest group of politicians with disabilities
in the world.
Innovative aspects
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Initial Years: 1995, 1996, 1997
At each term since 1995 at least five parliamentarians with disabilities from four regions
(Central, East, West, North) and one national
woman with disability representative have
been elected.
In 2011 a total of 12 parliamentarians with
disabilities were elected.
Uganda has some 47,000 representatives
with disabilities or some 0.5 percent of
the registered electorate at the local and
district level.
100
inclusion of the Hon. Eliphaz Mazima as a representative with disabilities in the Constitutions drafting
committee. Hon. Mazima achieved the inclusion of
disability in the Constitution of 1995. Since then many
laws have operationalized the constitutional provisions, including the Parliamentary Elections Statute
of 1996 and the Local Governments Act of 1997, both
of which ensure the representation of persons with
disabilities in all political elected bodies. Through this
representation mechanism, as well as the National
Council for Disability, disabled peoples organizations
are directly involved in the development and monitoring of policies.
Key Features
Ugandas Constitution requires that Parliament shall
consist of a number of representatives of persons
with disabilities, and the State shall ensure fair
representation of marginalized groups on all bodies.
As a result, Uganda has enacted the Parliamentary
Elections Statute of 1996 that provides for five seats
in Parliament for representatives of persons with disabilities, elected by a national Electoral College. This
College is composed of district representatives, four
from each district. In this way persons with disabilities elect their representatives through an electoral
Nominated by Mr. Martin Babu MWESIGWA, CRPD Committee & National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda
Sources: Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995: http://bit.ly/1u5eYmv;
Ugandas Local Governments Act, 1997: http://bit.ly/1yC5wrX; Ugandas Parliamentary Elections Act, 2005: http://bit.ly/1rZlTjM
101
In most countries people with disabilities are underrepresented in public life because they face
substantial barriers to putting themselves forward for election. In the United Kingdom grants
are available to help meet the additional costs associated with running for election that candidates
with disabilities can face.
In brief
The Access to Elected Office for Disabled People
Fund, established in 2012, offers individual grants of
between 250 and (only in exceptional circumstances) 40,000 (about 320 to 49,700) to persons
with disabilities who wish to put themselves forward
as a candidate or for running their election campaign,
but who incur additional costs associated with their
disability. While the Fund was initially set to run until
March 2014, the government decided to extend it until
March 2015 and to fully evaluate it by summer 2015.
Innovative aspects
Towards a level playing field: By funding the disability-related costs associated with standing for selection and election, the Fund enables candidates with
disabilities to better compete with other candidates.
Cooperation with civil society: The fund is an excellent
example of a government working with civil society to
develop an evidence-informed approach to removing
barriers to the political participation of persons with
disabilities.
Testing cost-effectiveness: Launched as a three-year
pilot project, the Fund is the first of its kind, and its
effectiveness will be evaluated in June 2015.
Context
In 2010 a House of Commons Conference on parliamentary representation stated that there is considerable evidence that the financial barriers facing
candidates with disabilities were particularly high; that
the necessary extra spending has to be borne by candidates who are often poorer than other candidates;
and that social care funding packages limit the area
102
FAC T S & F I G U R E S
Initial Year: 2012
The Funds website is fully accessible and
contains guidance for applicants and others.
A publication of case stories of disabled
people who are active in politics has been
produced.
As of 2014 the Fund had supported
50 persons with disabilities to put themselves forward as a candidate.
The average value of claims has been
4,289 (5,390).
example, the cost of using private taxis if public transport is not accessible, the cost of accessible meeting
rooms, or the cost of a sign language interpreter. In order to be eligible, the person with a disability needs to
demonstrate that the nature of their condition creates
a barrier to standing for election and to provide evidence of their involvement in community activities. The
Fund is administered by Convey, which is independent
of the government and assesses all applications and
pays grants. Convey is advised by an advisory panel,
which consists of members including four with a
disability who have expertise in a range of disability
and electoral issues. The monitoring and evaluation is
carried out by the Government Equalities Office.
Outcome, impact, and effectiveness
The Fund was initially set to run until March 2014,
but the government decided to extend it until March
2015 and to evaluate it by summer 2015.
35 applicants have stood for election to date, mainly in Local Authority elections.
The Fund has received considerable media coverage, and has been promoted through political
networks and disability charities to raise awareness
of the support it can provide.
Transferability, scalability, and cost-efficiency
Depending on the outcome of the pilot period of
the Fund, it could, in principle, be replicated in other
countries, depending on their laws regarding limits
on electoral expenses for candidates. Start-up costs
were approximately 30,000 (38,000).
Sources: Government Equalities Office, Policy Paper Political Life: Disabled Peoples Stories: http://bit.ly/1uGFqn7
House of Commons, 2010 report into Parliamentary Representation: http://bit.ly/1tcXBRQ
103
Success stories of
Innovative Policies 2014
Since 2013 the Zero Project has celebrated Innovative Policies from around the world nominating,
researching, and selecting the best of the best with an annual thematic focus. Below, we
briefly revisit some of the Innovative Policies of 2014, which focused on the theme accessibility
and provide updates on their progress and success.
Cape Towns MyCiTi system is, along with Johannesburgs Rea Vaya, among the first South African Bus Rapid Transit systems. Cape Town, however, clearly stands out for its commitment and
ability to implement accessibility, as its Universal Access Policy is a comprehensive long-term
and multi-level effort that includes universal design and attention to the entire journey. At the end
of 2013, Cape Town announced the start of a comprehensive three-year universal access audit
of all transport facilities in the city, to be undertaken by persons with disabilities. The audit of all
major central business districts and 220 public transport interchanges started in February 2014.
The transport authority for Cape Town is working to ensure that all transport operators provide
universal access and that this will be included in the list of requirements for operators applying
for licenses. Transport for Cape Town will also regulate operator compliance. Read more at
https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/TransportCapeTown/Pages/Dialaride.aspx.
104
Credit: UNAPD
Ugandas mandatory
accessibility standards
Uganda is among the first sub-Saharan
countries to have developed their own
accessibility standards. At the time we
finalized the Zero Project Report, the
standards were already mandatory for
school construction projects, but not
yet for all construction projects. With
the entering into force of the Building
Control Act at the end of 2013, the accessibility standards became a requirement for the approval of all construction projects nationwide. Further, in
May 2014 the Uganda National Action
on Physical Disability officially launched
the Accessibility Improvement Project,
funded by the Disability Rights Fund.
The main aim of this project is to raise
awareness about the Building Control
Act, which guides the construction
industry, and to ensure that the while
the Ministry of Works and Transports
develops the regulations for the Act,
the accessibility needs of persons with
disabilities are well incorporated.
More can be read at http://unapd.org/
general/accessibility-improvement-
project-launched
105
Annex
Questionnaire
Practices
Policies
Network
106
Systems that could be in place include: city lights, SMS-services, email services etc. But any existing system should
not be limited to either radio or public address systems/
sirens - in line with the two-sense principle. Situation of
risk includes situations of armed conflict, humanitarian
emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters.
Relates to UN CRPD article No. 11 (Situations of risk and
humanitarian emergencies)
Yes. The states early warning system is accessible to all
persons with disabilities.
Yes, with qualifications. The early warning system is
accessible only to those with certain disabilities, for example hearing disabilities, or only at certain times of day.
No. The early warning system has not been designed to
be accessible to persons with disabilities.
N/A /other.
5. SIGN LANGUAGE RECOGNITION
Is sign language an officially recognized language in the
courts?
Relates to UN CRPD article No. 13 (Access to justice)
Yes. Sign language is both an official language of the
courts and persons with a hearing impairment have the
right to a translator paid for by the state.
Yes, with qualifications. Sign language is only officially
recognized in some courts. Or those with a hearing
impairment do not have the right to a translator. Or a
translator is not paid for by the state. Or only by custom
are translators made available, and paid for, by the state.
No. Sign language is not recognized in the courts, those
with a hearing impairment have the right neither to a
translator, nor for any translator to be paid for by the
state and translators are, even by custom, neither made
available nor paid for by the state.
N/A /other.
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108
tially the choice and control over the services they use.
No. Institutions are the only forms of care and/or people
with disabilities have no choice and no control over the
services they use.
N/A /other.
COMMENT if placement in residential settings is the
predominant form of care for people with disabilities in
your country please comment, if existing, on any steps
being taken by your country to develop community-based
services as alternatives to institutional care.
22. DE-INSTITUTIONALISATION PROCESSES
If forms of residential care exist in your country, is the
number of persons with disabilities living in institutional care
decreasing due to the increased availability of quality services in the community supported and funded by the state?
Relates to UN CRPD article No. 19 (Living independently
and being included in the community)
Yes. The number of persons with disabilities living in
residential care is decreasing accordingly to official data.
Yes, with qualifications. The number of persons with
disabilities living in residential care is stable accordingly
to official data.
No. The number of persons with disabilities living in
residential care is increasing accordingly to official data.
N/A /other.
COMMENT Please comment on your answer indicating
what types of community support services the local
authorities (or other stakeholders) are providing to persons
with disability to facilitate their daily life.
23. PROTECTION AND MONITORING
Are facilities and programmes designed to serve persons
with disabilities effectively monitored by independent
authorities?
Article 16 of the UN CRPD requires the state to take all
appropriate legislative, administrative, social, educational
and other measures to protect persons with disabilities,
both within and outside the home, from all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse, including their gender-based
aspects. States Parties shall ensure that all facilities and
programmes designed to serve persons with disabilities,
including residential care settings, are effectively monitored
by independent authorities in order to prevent the occurrence of all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse.
Relates to UN CRPD article No. 16 (Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse), No. 19 (Living independently and
being included in the community)
Yes. All facilities and programmes, including residential
care settings, are monitored annually by an independent
body.
Yes, with qualifications. Not all facilities and programmes
are monitored or not on a regular basis.
No. Facilities and programmes, including residential care
settings, are no monitored at all.
N/A /other.
24. ADEQUATE STANDARD OF LIVING AND SOCIAL
PROTECTION
Do measures and safeguards exist to ensure the right of
persons with disabilities to an adequate standard of living
for themselves and their families, including adequate food,
clothing and housing?
States Parties shall take appropriate steps to safeguard
and promote the realization of the right to social protection,
including measures to ensure access to appropriate and
affordable services, to social protection programmes
and poverty reduction programmes, to public housing
programmes or retirement benefits and programmes.
Relates to UN CRPD article No. 19 (Living independently
and being included in the community), No. 28 (Article 28 Adequate standard of living and social protection)
Yes. All persons with disabilities are legally entitled
to receive all the financial support needed to support
their living independently and being included in the
community.
Yes, with qualifications. Such financial support, although
mandated by law, is either not available to all, or is
limited in extent.
No. No person with disabilities is legally entitled to any
such financial support.
25. AVAILABILITY OF PERSONAL ASSISTANCE
SERVICES
Is personal assistance available in your country?
Personal Assistance is a tool which allows for Independent
Living. Personal Assistance is purchased through earmarked cash allocations for disabled people, the purpose
109
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
Dominica
Czech Republic
Djibouti
Cyprus
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Latin America
& Caribbean
Latin America
& Caribbean
Latin America
& Caribbean
Europe
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Cook Islands
Colombia
Costa Rica
Latin America
& Caribbean
Latin America
& Caribbean
Latin America
& Caribbean
Latin America
& Caribbean
Oceania
China
Canada
Colombia
Latin America
& Caribbean
Latin America
& Caribbean
Canada
Cameroon
Cambodia
Burundi
Cameroon
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
North
America
North
America
Burkina Faso
Bulgaria
Belgium
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Belgium
Europe
Brazil
Belgium
Europe
Europe
Belgium
Europe
Bosnia Herzegovina
Belgium
Europe
Latin America
& Caribbean
Belgium
Europe
Bosnia Herzegovina
Belgium
Europe
Europe
Belarus
Europe
Bhutan
Barbados
Europe
Europe
Bangladesh
Latin America
& Caribbean
Benin
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Belize
Azerbaijan
Latin America
& Caribbean
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Austria
Austria
Europe
Access to justice
Austria
Europe
6%
Australia
Emergency
Europe
Armenia
45%
Oceania
19%
3%
Armenia
19%
Transportation
Built environnement
Region
Argentina
Average*
Angola
45%
N/A
Algeria
Built environnement
Yes
Northern
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Latin America
& Caribbean
Latin America
& Caribbean
Afghanistan
4%
0,7
59%
3%
0,3
49%
3%
0,3
22%
64%
8%
0,2
34%
32%
27%
7%
0,5
Access to information
14%
30%
50%
6%
0,3
Education
45%
45%
7%
3%
0,7
Education
21%
40%
30%
10%
0,4
Data
6%
20%
64%
10%
0,2
Employment
21%
36%
38%
5%
0,4
Data
17%
33%
44%
6%
0,4
NA
Employment
17%
13%
52%
19%
0,3
Data
24%
32%
35%
9%
0,4
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
36%
35%
23%
7%
0,6
NA
22%
41%
26%
11%
0,5
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
12%
25%
50%
13%
0,3
NA
NA
8%
43%
42%
7%
0,3
18. Safeguards
12%
46%
33%
9%
0,4 IL
Personal rights
52%
33%
6%
9%
0,7 IL
Data
12%
31%
43%
14%
0,3
41%
25%
19%
0,4
21%
26%
37%
0,4 IL
13%
48%
26%
13%
0,4 IL
13%
59%
21%
7%
0,5 IL
7%
43%
38%
11%
0,3 IL
20%
48%
22%
10%
0,5 IL
Political rights
50%
38%
3%
10%
0,8 PP
Political rights
50%
35%
4%
12%
0,8 PP
Access to voting
33%
35%
20%
12%
0,6 PP
Access to voting
18%
40%
28%
14%
0,4 PP
NA
NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA
NA NA NA
NA
NA NA
NA
NA NA NA NA NA
NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA
NA NA NA NA NA
P.P.
18. Safeguards
NA NA NA NA NA
P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA
Q1, Q2
Built environnement
32%
Yes with
qualifi- No
cations
27%
37%
4%
0,5
Q3
Transportation
3%
45%
49%
3%
0,3
Q4
Emergency
3%
22%
64%
8%
0,2
Q5 and
34%
32%
27%
7%
0,5
Q6
14%
30%
50%
6%
0,3
Q7, Q8
Education
33%
43%
18%
6%
0,6
Data
15%
29%
46%
10%
0,3
Q10, Q12
Employment
18%
24%
45%
12%
0,3
23%
34%
33%
10%
0,4
Q17, Q18
10%
44%
37%
8%
0,4 IL
Q19
52%
33%
6%
9%
0,7 IL
Q21, Q22
15%
31%
25%
28%
0,4 IL
Q23, Q24
13%
53%
24%
10%
0,4 IL
Q25, Q26
14%
45%
30%
11%
0,4 IL
Q27, Q28
50%
36%
4%
11%
0,8 PP
Q29, Q30
26%
38%
24%
13%
0,5 PP
Average calculated with: *Yes=1; Yes with Qualification=0,5; No=0 | Q=Question Number, N/A= not available
IL = related to Independent Living, PP = related to Political Participation
NA
NA
Yes
110
NA
Average*
NA
N/A
NA NA NA
NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA
P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA
P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA
P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA
I.L.
NA NA NA NA NA NA
I.L.
NA NA NA NA NA NA
I.L.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
I.L.
NA
Yes
Yes with Qualification
No NA=Not available
IL = related to Independent Living, PP = related to Political Participation
111
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Europe
Europe
Europe
Oceania
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Somalia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Serbia
Russia
Serbia
Romania
Europe
Latin America
& Caribbean
Latin America
& Caribbean
Oceania
Europe
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Asia & Pacific
Qatar
Europe
Serbia
Portugal
Europe
Portugal
Europe
Europe
Philippines
Europe
Serbia
Philippines
Europe
Philippines
Senegal
Philippines
Senegal
Philippines
Senegal
Pakistan
Saudi Arabia
Pakistan
Samoa
Pakistan
Pakistan
Saint Vincent a. t. G.
Norway
Norway
Europe
Peru
Norway
Europe
Paraguay
Norway
Europe
Norway
Europe
Panama
New Zealand
Nigeria
Netherlands
Oceania
Latin America
& Caribbean
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Europe
Niger
Nepal
Europe
Nicaragua
Myanmar
Mozambique
Montenegro
Morocco
Moldova
Europe
Latin America
& Caribbean
Northern
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Asia & Pacific
Montserrat
Micronesia
Europe
Mauritius
Mauritania
Mauritania
Malta
Maldives
Europe
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Oceania
Malawi
Macedonia
Italy
Macedonia
Italy
Europe
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Europe
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Asia & Pacific
Ireland
Europe
Luxembourg
Ireland
Europe
Europe
Ireland
Europe
Lithuania
Ireland
Europe
Europe
Ireland
Europe
Libya
Ireland
Europe
Liberia
Ireland
Europe
Liberia
Ireland
Europe
Lesotho
Ireland
Europe
Latvia
Ireland
Europe
Laos
Ireland
Europe
Europe
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Northern
Africa
Europe
Ireland
Europe
Kyrgyzstan
Iraq
Europe
Indonesia
Kenya
Indonesia
Jordan
India
Japan
India
India
Japan
India
Hungary
Ivory Coast
Hungary
Europe
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Asia & Pacific
Hungary
Europe
Ivory Coast
Europe
Honduras
Honduras
Haiti
Guyana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Greece
Guatemala
Greece
Europe
Latin America
& Caribbean
Latin America
& Caribbean
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Latin America
& Caribbean
Oceania
Latin America
& Caribbean
Latin America
& Caribbean
Asia & Pacific
Grenada
Greece
Europe
Ghana
Ghana
Ghana
France
Germany
France
Europe
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Europe
Germany
Finland
Europe
(continued)
Europe
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Europe
Finland
Europe
Gambia
Fiji
Europe
Ethiopia
Estonia
Ethiopia
Estonia
Europe
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Oceania
Ethiopia
Estonia
El Salvador
Egypt
Europe
Region
Latin America
& Caribbean
Asia & Pacific
Latin America
& Caribbean
Europe
Dominican Republic
NA NA NA NA NA
NA
NA NA NA
NA
NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA
NA NA NA NA
NA NA
NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA
NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA
NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA
NA
NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA
18. Safeguards
19. Right to marriage and have
children
20. Data collection on institutions
21. Alternatives to institutions
and decision-making
22. De-institutionalisation
processes
23. Protection and monitoring
24. Adequate standard of living
and social protection
25. Availability of personal
assistance services
26. Availability of assistive
devices and technology
NA
NA
NA
NA NA NA NA
NA NA P.P.
NA
NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA
NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA P.P.
NA
NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA
NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA
I.L.
NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
I.L.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA
I.L.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
I.L.
112
Yes
Yes with Qualification
No NA=Not available
IL = related to Independent Living, PP = related to Political Participation
113
NA NA
NA NA
NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA
NA
The Zero Project would not have been possible without the broad and continuous support of many
individuals and organizations over the last four years.
Zimbabwe
Yemen
Zimbabwe
Vietnam
Zambia
Vietnam
Venezuela
Vanuatu
Uzbekistan
Uruguay
Oceania
Latin America
& Caribbean
Asia & Pacific
Uruguay
Uruguay
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
Ukraine
Ukraine
Uganda
Tuvalu
Europe
North
America
North
America
North
America
North
America
North
America
North
America
North
America
North
America
North
America
North
America
North
America
North
America
North
America
North
America
Latin America
& Caribbean
Latin America
& Caribbean
Latin America
& Caribbean
Asia & Pacific
Tuvalu
Oceania
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Europe
Turkmenistan
Acknowledgements
(continued)
Oceania
Turkey
Tunisia
Tonga
Togo
Thailand
Syria
Tanzania
Switzerland
Sweden
Sweden
Europe
Europe
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Sri Lanka
Europe
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Spain
Spain
Spain
Europe
Region
Europe
South Sudan
South Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Europe
South Africa
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
18. Safeguards
NA NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA P.P.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
I.L.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
I.L.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
I.L.
NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
I.L.
114
Yes
Yes with Qualification
No NA=Not available
IL = related to Independent Living, PP = related to Political Participation
Additionally, we are very grateful to the following individuals for their contributions to the shortlisting and
selection process of this years Innovative Policies
& Practices: Mona Abdeljawad, Virginia Atkinson,
Kimberley Azyan, Orsolya Bartha, Jose Batanero,
Jamie Bolling, Dorothea Brozek, Susanne Bruyere,
Ines Bulic, Ingrid Burman, Miguel Angel Cabra de
Luna, Alex Camacho Vasconez, Shuaib Chalklen, Facundo Chavez, Ba Coumba, Vladimir Cuk, Betty Dion,
Georgia Dominik, Romain Gaasch, Jesus Hernandez
Galan, Don Gallant, Christine Gordon, Martin Gould,
Giampiero Griffo, Tomoko Hikuma, Yoshikazu Ikehara (Suigura), Marijana Jankovic, Maths Jesperson,
Rudi Kennes, Magdalena Kern, Sylvana Lakkis, Paul
Lappalainen Peter Lehmann, Mischaa Liatowitsch,
Janet E. Lord, Phil Madden, Antonio Martinez-Pujalte,
Katharina Meichenitsch, Tina Minkowitz, Marica Miri,
Lenin Moreno, Apollo Mukasa, Martin Naughton,
Annika Nystroem Karlsson, Krista Orama, Nagase
Osamu, Sue OShea, Marnie Peters, Lidia Pretorius,
Beatriz Rabadan, Silvio Sagramola, Ximena Serpa,
Dorodi Sharma, Michael Ashley Stein, Martha Stickings, Damjan Tatic, Borka Teodorovic, Berit Vegheim,
and Luk Zelderloo.
For contributing to a successful Zero Project Conference 2015, we are most thankful to the United
Nations Organization of Vienna (UNOV), which served
as an excellent host, and we extend special thanks
to Lars Larsen and Linto Thanikkel; to the Unicredit
Bank Austria, which supports the Zero Project financially and has generously invited to a Special Evening
Event Alles Walzer, co-organized by Light for the
World. And to Caroline Casey for her enormous
energy as moderator of the Conference.
In Austria, the home country of the Zero Project, we
are proud of the support that we continue to receive
from many sources. In particular, the Austrian Minister of Social Affairs, Rudolf Hundstorfer, supported
the Zero Project right from its beginnings. We are
also indebted to Albert Brandsttter (Lebenshilfe
sterreich), Walburga Frhlich (atempo), Katharina Meichenitsch (Diakonie sterreich), Christine
Meierschitz (AR), Erwin Buchinger (Behindertenanwaltschaft), Herbert Pichler (Chancen-NutzenBro), Max Rubisch, Hansjrg Hofer and Andreas
Reinalter (Bundesministerium fr Arbeit, Soziales und
Konsumentenschutz), Monika Vyslouzil and Michael
Moser (Fachhochschule St. Plten), Caritas, Hilfsgemeinschaft, ZIV, Blindenverband, Selbstbestimmt
Leben sterreich, Career Moves, Ashoka Austria,
as well as many others. Special thanks also goes to
Michael Meyer, University of Economics of Vienna,
who arranged for an evaluation of the Zero Project
Conference.
The Austrian Ministry for Europe, Integration and
Foreign Affairs has supported the Zero Project in
many different ways, both in Austria and abroad. For
example, for (co-)sponsoring our side events at the
UN Conferences, we very much wish to acknowledge the help provide by H. E. Thomas Hajnoczi,
Johannes Strasser, and Caroline Wrgtter (Geneva
& Maputo), as well as Julia Thallinger and Nadia Kalb
(New York). We are also enormously indebted to the
Permanent Mission of Austria to the UN in Vienna,
and specifically to H. E. Christine Stix Hackl and
Martin Krmer.
Finally, we would like to point out one person without
whom the Zero Project would not be what it is today:
Thomas Butcher, who helped to launch the Zero
Project, and who continues to support the Project
team to this day.
115
Title
Country
Organization
Title
Country
Brief Summary
Category
Argentina
Austria
Australia
Peer counselling as an
approved profession, 2008
Law (Independent
Living); Regional Level
Australia
Austria
UNIKATE
Belgium
Woonwinkel Zennevallei
Belgium
Belgium
In the Flemish region of Belgium the person with disabilities (or their represent- Decree (Independent
atives) controls both the assistance and the personal assistance budget (PAB). Living); Regional Level
As of 2012 there were 2,112 PAB users in Flanders. About 6,000 people are
currently on a waiting list.
Belgium
Canada
Japan
Croatia
Croatia
Following a ruling from the Tokyo District Court, Japans Parliament swiftly
in only 74 days after the ruling revised the Election Law, leading to the
enfranchisement of 136,000 persons under guardianship and restoring their
right to vote.
Denmark
EU
Luxembourg
Finland
Luxembourgs disability information centre, which is under the full control of its
member organizations, receives the Ministrys financial support. In 2013, 2,271
persons asked for advice and 597 used the centres legal information service.
Funding Agreement
(Independent Living);
Country Level
France
Inclusion Europe
Germany
Germany
Strategy (Political
Participation); Country Level
Germany
Ireland
Israel
Israel Unlimited
Italy
Jamaica
Moldova
Nepal
Norway
Uloba
Rwanda
Serbia
South Africa
South Africa
South Africa
Spain
ASPAYM
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Disability Rights UK
United Kingdom
USA
USA
Yemen
Al Saeeda Association
Zimbabwe
116
South Africa
Spain
Spain has introduced for the first time a voting procedure for blind electors as
well as a policy to improve the implementation of participatory rights. In 2011,
21,434 buildings with polling stations were accessible; 8,726 provided free
transport services; and 1,367 accessible voting kits were provided.
Sweden
Sweden is one of the few countries that entitles persons with disabilities to
a personal assistance budget, independent from state and local government
budgets. In 2013 some 19,500 people received a personal assistance budget.
Law (Independent
Living); Country Level
Policy (Independent
Living); Country Level
Uganda
Uganda legislated that elected political bodies at all levels must reserve a
minimum number of seats for representatives of persons with disabilities.
The country has some 47,000 representatives with disabilities 0.5% of the
registered electorate at the local and district level.
United
Kingdom
Government grants help meet the additional costs associated with running
for election that candidates with disabilities can face. As of 2014 the Fund
had supported 50 persons with disabilities to put themselves forward as a
candidate.
Funding Agreement
(Political Participation); Country Level
117
NASI
Argentina
Karina
PUDOR
Marisa
ROJAS
Jos
VIERA
Armenia
Narine
Michaela
MEINDLHUMER
Miteinander
Fara
VAN MAELE
NOC vzw
Slavenka
MARTINOVIC
Klaus
MIESENBERGER
Universitt Linz
Matthijs
VAN TRIGT
Marica
MIRI
Ursula
MILLER
Yves
VEULLIET
IBM
Milanka
OPACIC
Michael
MLLER
Institut fr Sozialdienste
Mark
WHEATLEY
Anka
SLONISAK
Helga
NEIRA
Els
WINTERS
Ruica
STIPCIC
Irmgard
NEUHERZ
Luk
ZELDERLOO
EASPD
Radmila
STOJANOVIC BABIC
Marlies
NEUMLLER
Caritas Austria
Benin
Borka
TEODOROVIC
Sabine
NEUSSS
Stadt Salzburg
Abdel Rahman
MICHAELIDES
LATIMIER
Inclusion Europe
VARDANYAN
Eva
NITTMANN
Bolivia
Anne
BRYCE
Achieve Australia
Willi
NOWAK
Alejandra
Sam
CAMPBELL
Scytl
Karin
ONDAS
Sozialwirtschaft Steiermark
Errol
COCKS
Curtin University
Wolfgang
PACHLER
Mosaik GmbH
Vesna
BAJSANSKI-AGIC
Kate
HEWITT
Stefan
PAUSER
OeZIV
Jasminko
Daniel
KYRIACOU
Gabriele
PERISSUTTI
Binasa
Patrick
MAHER
Vera
REBL
DanceAbility
Brazil
Cher
NICHOLSON
Sabine
REHBICHLER
Alberto
ARGUELHES
Susan
STANFORD
Youniverse
Verena
REISS
Chance B
Fernando H F
Ellen
WALKER
Eva
REITHOFER-HAIDACHER
Ellen
WALKER
Marie
RINGLER
Rupert
RONIGER
Australia
Austria
OUOROU BARE
COIPH
RIVERA
Cyprus
Chrysis
Czech Republic
Camille
Mozaik Foundation
Denmark
BIJELIC
Lotos Tuzla
Steen
BENGTSSON
SFI
GORALIJA
Bente
DANHOLT
Soren
GINNERUP
Janina Gaarde
RASMUSSEN
BOTELHO
F123 Consulting
Andreas Jull
SORENSEN
Ira
CARDOSO
AAPPE
Djibouti
Ashoka sterreich
Luiz Alberto
DAVID ARAUJO
Ali
MOHAMED ALI
ACTION HANDICAP
Joelson
DIAS
Dominican Republic
Gertraud
ASSMANN
Caritas Linz
Max
RUBISCH
BMASK
Erika
FOUREAUX
Vianela
DIAZ
Irmgard
BAUER
AR
Aima
SAMATOVA
RESSUP Verein
Eduardo
FRAYHA
Bernardo
SANTANA CABRERA
FENADID
Ilse
BEHENSKY
Fair Therapy
Christine
SCHAFFLER
Isabel Cristina
PESSA GIMENES
RIOinclui
Ecuador
Jess
BLIJKERS
Erwin
SCHAUER
Flavia
SOUZA
RIOinclui
Diana
ANDRADE
Ingrid
BOHUMINSKY
Hedi
SCHNITZER-VOGET
OeZIV
Claudia
WERNECK
Ana Lucia
ARELLANO B.
RIADIS
Albert
BRANDSTTTER
Lebenshilfe sterreich
Christian
SCHOBER
NPO-Institut
Bulgaria
Alex
CAMACHO VASCONEZ
Dorothea
BROZEK
Guenther
SCHUSTER
Bundessozialamt
Ivan
KARAGYOZOV
Lenin
MORENO
Erwin
BUCHINGER
Behindertenanwaltschaft
Christian
SCHWARZL
BB-Personenverkehr AG
Kapka
PANAYOTOVA
Egypt
Jan Philipp
CERNELIC
Niedersterreichische Landesregierung
Alina
SERBAN
ERSTE Stiftung
Nelly
RADEVA
Reham
ELMASRY
7million disabled
Patrick
D'HAESE
MED-EL
Martha
STICKINGS
Bisser
SPIROV
Estonia
Gregor
DEMBLIN
Career Moves
Gudrun
STUBENRAUCH
Burkina Faso
SAKKEUS
Tallinn Univeristy
Stephan
DORFMEISTER
Specialisterne Austria
Karin
THRON
Edmond
KABORE
Karl
EISENHARDT
Caritas Austria
Anna
TRAGL
Cameroon
Dayanandan
RAMALINGAM
Hawassa University
Paul
ELLMAUER
Johannes
TRIMMEL
Julius
TEMBEICK
HECESA
Tafesse Chirbo
SHANKA
Bernadette
FEUERSTEIN
Kristina
TSVETANOVA
Mvenyi
JULUS NTOBUAH
Finland
Manfred
FISCHER
Journalist
T.
TURTUKOWKSY
Caritas Burgenland
Canada
Sanna
AHOLA
Walburga
FRHLICH
atempo GmbH
Irene
VOGEL
Hilfsgemeinschaft
Kimberley
AZYAN
Services to Adults
Maria
FINSTRM
Janet Eva
GENEWEIN
Ifs Fundament
Herta
WINKLER
Caritas Wien
Michael
BACH
Markku
MTTNEN
Wolfgang
GLASER
Markus
WOLF
Tara
BRINSTON
Jyrki
PINOMAA
Aspa Foundation
Verena
GLASER
Franz
WOLFMAYR
EASPD
Ins Elvira
DE ESCALLON
Inclusion International
Petra
TIIHONEN
KVPS
Oliver
GOSOLITS
Lebenshilfe Tirol
Gregor
ZAMARIN
Wien Work
Betty
DION
GAATES
France
Hans-Jrgen
GROSS
Kompetenzzentrum fr Barrierefreiheit
Azerbaijan
Don
GALLANT
William
ALARCON
Christian
GRBL
Mosaik GmbH
Davud
REHIMLI
Christine
GORDON
Francois-Xavier
BOIS
Kernix
Guido
GUENTERT
Lebenshilfe Salzburg
Bahrain
Connie
LAURIN-BOWIE
Inclusion International
Claude
BOULANGER-REIJNEN
Klaus
HCKNER
Hilfsgmeinschaft
Abdullah
Wendy
MCDONALD
Emmanuel
CONSTANS
David
HOFER
Bangladesh
Linda
PERRY
Benjamin
DARD
Karin
HOLZMANN
Mia
Marnie
PETERS
GAATES
Mechthilde
FUHRER
Council of Europe
Franz-Joseph
HUAINIGG
sterreichisches Parlament
Belgium
Marcia
RIOUX
Suzanne
GORGE
Helene
JARMER
Carmen
ARROYO DE SANDE
EASPD
Joanne
TAYLOR
Nidus
Bernadette
GROSYEUX
MFPASS
Ruth
JAROSCHKA
Mosaik GmbH
Jef
BREDA
Universit of Antwerpen
Chile
Markus
JAEGER
Council of Europe
Andreas
JESSE
autArK Integrationsfachdienst
Dirk
BRYSSINCK
Villa Voortman
Pedro
CHAN
Corporacion CETRAM
Dominique
LE DOUCE
Guenther
KAINZ
Maarten
CARMANS
Arly Alejandra
FAUNDES BERKHOFF
Cdric
MAMETZ
Nous Aussi
Franz
KARL
Claire
CHAMPEIX
Pamela
MOLINA
Gary
MAY
Klaudia
KAROLINY
Glenn
CONINGS
Onafhankelijk leven
Maria Isabel
ROBLES MEZA
Stephanie
OUEDA CRUZ
L'Oral
Eringard
KAUFMANN
AR
James
CROWE
EASPD
China
Johanna
PACEVICIUS
Andreas
KEPLINGER
Specialisterne Austria
Elisabeth
DE SCHAUWER
Joey
LAM
HKSAR
Denis
PELSY
Elisabeth
KERN
Sabrina
FERRAINA
EASPD
Elke
MAK
HKSAR
Alexander
PREOBRAZHENSKIY
Council of Europe
Magdalena
KERN
Pieter
GHIJSELS
Visit Flanders
Colombia
Kriti
SHARMA
Joanna
KINBERGER
Tina
GOETHALS
Lucas
CORREA
Nphli
YATROPOULOS
Morten
KJAERUM
Alba
GONZALEZ
CBM
Ximena
SERPA
RIADIS
Georgia
Petra
KOLLER
special olympics
Javier
GUEMES
Costa Rica
Levan
GORGILADZE
Karin
KRAINZ-KABAS
Rudi
KENNES
Luis Fernando
ASTORGA GATJENS
Madonna
KHAREBAVA
Norbert
KRAMMER
dm
KSA
Mario
RIVERA LIZANO
REDNOPEDIS
Khatuna
NAKEURI
Elisabeth
KRN
Specialisterne Austria
Peter
LAMBREGHTS
Jose
VILLALTA MONTES
FEREPRODIS
Suliko
TEBIDZE
Gerhard
KUICH
Verein Vamos
Karolien
METTENS
Woonwinkel Zennevallei
Croatia
Otto
LAMBAUER
Caritas Wien
Maria
NYMAN
Dijana
BOROVIC-GALOVIC
Sigrid
ARNADE
Dagmar
LASSMANN
Diakonie sterreich
Didier
PELEMAN
Emina
CERIMOVIC
Dirk
BALZER
Andrea
LEONHARTSBERGER
Inmaculada
PLACENCIA PORRERO
European Commission
Slavica
DUJMOVIC
Hubert
BERNARD
Jutta
LINDAU-OCHSENHOFER
Haus Gabriel
Michelle
RAJEWSKI
Onafhankelijk leven
Blaenka
FILIC VULIN
Bernadette
BROS-SPHN
Johanna
MANG
Patrick
SCHELFHOUT
Kristijan
GRDAN
The SHINE
Andreas
DIEDERICHS
Daniele
MARANO
Hilfsgemeinschaft
Mieke
SCHROOTEN
Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel
Velinka
GROZDANIC
University of Rijeka
Johannes
EURICH
Universitat Heidelberg
Stefan
MARCHEWA
Diakoniewerk sterreich
Danny
VAN DE PERRE
Tomislav
IVASKOVIC
Uwe
FREVERT
ISL
Katharina
MEICHENITSCH
Diakonie sterreich
GREET
VAN GOOL
Marijana
JANKOVIC
Ruth
FRICKE
Christina
MEIERSCHITZ
AR
Mathias
VAN HOVE
Mladen
KATANIC
Udruga za samozastupanje
Silke
GEORGI
SOZIALHELDEN e.V
118
AALDERAZI
ISHAQUE
Luule
Ethiopia
Germany
119
Research Network
(continued)
List of all persons that have contributed to the research on Independent Living and Political Participation
Annette
HAMBACH-SPIEGLER
Louise
MCCANN
Moldova
Karen
HAUBENREISSER
Martin
NAUGHTON
Vitali
COVALIOV
Branislava
BELIC
Frank
HOFFMANN
Discovering Hands
Maureen
PIGGOT
Inclusion Europe
Vasile
CUSCA
Moldova Government
Milorad
GASIC
Jana
HFTMANN
Gerard
QUINN
Irina
MALANCIUC
Lumos Moldova
Jovana
Marina
KIRCHMAYR
Vanessa
SCANLON
Ludmila
MALCOCI, PH.D.
Slaana
LEVIC
Mathias
KNIGGE
grauwert
C.J.
WALSH
Montenegro
Zoltan
MIHOK
Elisabeth
KOMP
Israel
Nenad
RADENKOVI
Klaus
LACHWITZ
Noa
BITAN
Akim Israel
Morroco
Damjan
TATIC
NOOIS
Peter
LEHMANN
formerly ENUSP
Orly
FRUCHTER
Ahmed
Rolf
MARSCHNER
Yakir
PNINI-MENDEL
NG
Lilian
MASUHR
SOZIALHELDEN e.V
Michal
SADEH
Access Israel
Zaw
Daniel
NOWACK
Avital
SANDLER-LOEFF
Nepal
Elena
PECARIC
YHD
Christian
PAPADOPOULOS
Johannes
STRASSER
Suraj
Klaudija
POROPAT
YHD
Ulrich
PFEUFER
Italy
Michael
PREUSS
Lucia
BARACCO
Edwin
MERMANS
Province of Noord-Brabant
Mario
APPELS
Birgit
ROTHENBERG
Anna
BENEDETTO
Jose
SMITS
Inclusie
Stanley
BAWDEN
Anna-Gracia
SCHADE
Cristiana
CARLINI
Lisa
WADDINGTON
Maastricht University
Hendrietta
BOGOPANE
Hilke
SCHRMANN
Alessandro
DALLA PIET
onlusgondole4all
Nicaragua
Carol
BOSCH
Andreas
VEGA
Elizabeth Maria
FRANCHINI
Sandra Lorena
Shuaib
CHALKLEN
Ulrike
WALTSGOTT
Giampiero
GRIFFO
Nigeria
Michael B.
COETZEE
Member of Parliament
Corina
ZOLLE
Rhein-Main Inklusiv
Roberto
MEZZINA
David O.
ANYAELE
Susan
DIPPENAAR
Daniela
ORLANDI
INAIL
Asabe
SHEHU YAR'ADUA
Libisi
MAPHANGA
Ismail
MOOLA
Ghana
Marina
Serbia
VUJACIC
BERKIA
MOE AUNG
SIGDEL
Myanmar
Singapore
Thomas
Netherlands
Slovenia
South Africa
DARCE MENDOZA
Federacin Femucadi
Dorcas
ABA ANAN
Accra-GuestHouse
Luca
PAMPALONI
Norway
Sefakor
KOMABU-POMEYIE
Karin
PFEIFER
Lebenshilfe ONLUS
Tove Linnea
BRANDVIK
Devon
PALANEE
Pino
PINI
Stle
BRATLIE
Uloba
Lidia
PRETORIUS
DWCPD
PLUMARI
Siri
DOLVEN
Leonard-Marque
PRETORIUS
Ase Kari
HAUGETO
Claire
ROBARTES
Greece
Ivor
AMBROSE
Silvestro
Athena
FRANGOULI
Jamaica
Akaterini
NOMIDOU
SOFPSI N.SERRON
Samantha
CHANTRELLE
Pino
KOSIANDER
Buyile
SIMON BASHE
RSA Parliament
Konstantinos
PAPANIKOLAOU
IEA
Judine
HUNTER
Digicel Foundation
Vibeke
MARY MELSTRM
Uloba
Melanie
WILSON
Ilias
RAFAIL
IASIS NGO
Japan
Sigrid
SKAVLID
South Korea
Tomoko
HIKUMA
sta Tale
STRAND
Hyunil
JUHN
Raluca
BUNEA
Yoshikazu
IKEHARA (SUIGURA)
Jan
TSSEBRO
Yujin
NOH
Ashoka Korea
Erzsbet
FLDESI
Yasunobu
ISHII
Nippon Foundation
Berit
VEGHEIM
Stop Diskrimineeringen
Spain
Tamas
GYULAVARI
ANED
Megumi
KATO
Inclusion Ibaragi
Pakistan
Francesc
ARAGALL
Laszlo Gabor
LOVASZY
Aqeel
MOHAMMAD
Aleena Zainab
ALAVI
Javier
ARROYO MNDEZ
ASPAYM-Madrid
Erzsbet
SZEKERES
Osamu
NAGASE
Lubna
HASHMAT
CHIP
Juan
BENAGES LAVIRGEN
Tamara
TISCHLER
Ashoka Hungary
Seikichi
NAGOYA
Inclusion Ibaragi
Reem
KHURSHID
Miguel ngel
CABRA DE LUNA
Fundacin ONCE
Zoltn
WAGNER
SINOSZ
Nagase
OSAMU
Ghulam Nabi
NIZAMANI
Manuel Poza
CAPARROS
Fundacin ONCE
Hitomi
SUGIURA
Alberto Vaquero
CEREZO
Fundacin ONCE
Juan Carlos
CHICOTE GONZALEZ
Cecilia
CONDE
CSR-D
Elisa Valia
COTANDA
Elena
CRUZ GONZLEZ
Fundacin ONCE
Hungary
India
Javed
ABIDI
Jordan
Raja
BAGGA
Mona
ABDELJAWAD
Paraguay
Amit
BHATT
Adnan
ABOUDI
Noelia
Sunita
CHERIAN
Wipro Ltd
Mohammed
AL-TARAWNEH
Peru
Parul
GHOSH
Atallah
KUTTAB
Welfare Association
Susana
STGLICH WATSON
Arturo
DELGADO
Kanika
JINDAL
EMBARQ India
Kenya
Jorge Muoz
WELLS
Municipalidad de Miraflores
Laura
DIEGO GARCA
Nirmita
NARASIMHAN
Joy
RAORE
Philippines
Borja
FANJUL
Parliament of Madrid
Carmo
NORONHA
Bethany Society
Kevin Ovita
TEDDY
May Gladys
BUTOY
Jordi
GARCES FERRER
Shraddha Soni
SABHARWAL
Lebanon
Luie
GUIA
Sonia
GARCIA-FRAILE CMARA
Fundacin ONCE
Dorodi
SHARMA
NCPEDP
Nawaf
KABBARA
AOPD
Poland
Jess
HERNNDEZ GALN
Fundacin ONCE
Sam
TARAPOREVALA
Silvana
LAKKIS
Kazimierz
NOWICKI
Antonio Jess
INGELMO SIERRA
Fundacin ONCE
Joanna
WOJTYNSKA
Sabina
LOBATO
Fundacin ONCE
Ana Cristina
LOPEZ LOPEZ
Michael
Liberia
Indonesia
Christian
DONN
Francis
Sunarman
SUKAMTO
CBR-DTC
Lithuania
Ireland
Irena
KOLLIE
PRANSKEVICIUTE
LULU
ERRECARTE
Portugal
Ana
BRAGA
Merce
LUZ ARQUE
Antnio
LAMAS
Lourdes
Maria
VLACHOU
Acesso Cultura
Antonio
MARTINEZ-PUJALTE
Barbara
MAYORAL
CSR+D
Liz
BROSNAN
Luxembourg
Caroline
CASEY
Kanchi
Yannick
BREUER
Romania
Madeleine
CLARKE
Genio Trust
Raymond
CECCOTTO
APEMH asbl
Peter
MAKKAI
Beatriz
RABADAN
Fundacin ONCE
J Patrick
CLARKE
Joelle
FLOENER
Laila
ONU
Mara
TUSSY
Fundacin ONCE
Sean
CONNEALLY
Romain
GAASCH
Russia
Francisco
VANO
National Parliament
Gerald
CRADDOCK
Christophe
LESUISSE
Tricentenaire asbl
Yulia
KOLESNICHENKO
Downside Up
David
ZANOLETTY GARCA
Fundacin ONCE
Breda
CREHAN-ROCHE
Ability West
Arthur
LIMBACH-REICH
Universit du Luxembourg
Irina
NIKOLAEVA
Oudoor
Sweden
Ciara
D'EATH
GCIL
Silvio
SAGRAMOLA
Anna
SMIRNOVA
NextGIS
Camilla
BOGARVE
PO-Skne
Noelle
DALY
Spinal Injuries
Michle
STEIN
Luxemburger Ministerium
Rwanda
Jamie
BOLLING
Grainne
DE PAOR
Alice
WARSZTA-BROSIUS
Luxemburger Ministerium
Sam
Ingrid
BURMAN
Eilionoir
FLYNN
Sandy
ZOLLER
Luxemburger Ministerium
Saudi Arabia
Ingemar
FAERM
Siobhan
FLYNN
Macedonia
Maths
JESPERSON
PO-Skne
Anne
GERAGHTY
Vladimir
Paul
LAPPALAINEN
Declan
HAMILTON
Malawi
Cecilia
MOLINDER BERGLUNG
Socialstyrelsen
Alison
HARNETT
Alfred
Anders
MOLT
Socialstyrelsen
Rose
KAVANAGH
INCADDS
Malta
Brian
KEARNEY-GRIEVE
Anne-Marie
Debbie
KELLEHER
Mexico
Francesc
LARKIN
Lizeth Mayela
BAUTISTA GARCIA
Charlotte
MAY-SIMERA
Klaudia
GONZALEZ
120
LAZOVSKI
MUMBA
CALLUS
BADAGE
Mukhtar
AL SHIBANI
Faten
ALYAFI
Mervat
TASHKANDI
Senegal
Ba
COUMBA
Handi Enfance
Annika
NYSTROEM KARLSSON
Diallo
GORGUI
Hans
POLSTER
Stumpen-ensemblen
Mme
NDEYE
Adolf
RATZKA
Astou
SARR
Sightsavers
Kerstin
SELLIN
RENAPRED
Arona
SY
Thomas
STRANDBERG
University of Malta
121
Research Network
(continued)
List of all persons that have contributed to the research on Independent Living and Political Participation
Switzerland
United States
Judith
ADLER
Virginia
ATKINSON
Jose
BATANERO
Aaron
AZELTON
Anton
BOLFING
Shanta Rau
BARRIGA
Facundo
CHAVEZ PENILLAS
OHCHR
Orsolya
BARTHA
Maria Alarcos
CIEZA MORENO
Daniela
BAS
Nathalie
DREW BOLD
Rosangela
BERMAN-BIELER
Michelle
FUNK
Susanne
BRUYERE
University of Cornell
Luis
GALLEGOS
UNITAR
Jane
BUCHANAN
Alexandra
GASPARI
Kelly
BUCKLAND
Sylvianne
IMHOF ZANATY
FRAGILE Suisse
Thomas
BUTCHER
Essl Foundation
Mischa
LIATOWITSCH
Regina
CAMPA
Scytl
Christoph
LTHY
LaWanda
COOK
Cecile
MALEVEZ-BRNDLER
Julie
COOK
Barbara
MURRAY
Nicholas
COUDSY
Everyone Counts
Marcel
ODERMATT
FRAGILE Suisse
Vladimir
CUK
Alana
OFFICER
Sera
DAVIDOW
Krista
ORAMA
OHCHR
Georgia
DOMINIK
Dagmar
ORTHMANN BLESS
Susan
DUNN
Stefan
TRMEL
Juan
FIGUEROA, SR
Caroline
WRGTTER
Martin
GOULD
G3ict
Tobias
ZAHN
WINklusion
Chris
HANSEN
Akiko
ITO
Tanzania
Clement
NDAHANI
CCBRT
Brenda
KOTEWA
Erwin
TELEMANS
CCBRT
Axel
LEBLOIS
G3ict
Deborah
LISI-BAKER
University of Vermont
Janet E.
LORD
Rocio
MARTINEZ
Andrea
MAZZARINO
LeAnna
MILL
Brokerage Services
Thailand
Diana Azu
AGULABA AMBI
CHANONGPITTAYAKOM SCHOOL
Tunesia
N.
N.
O.T.D.D.P.H
Turkey
Hatice Nevin
ERACAR
Autistics Association
Tina
MINKOWITZ
Cimen
GULDOKER
Autistics Association
David
MORRISSEY
Rana
KOTAN
Sabanci Foundation
Jessica
MURRAY
Dimitri
MARYASSIN
Alekzandra
POSARAC
Frances
PURDY
Uganda
Martin
BABU MWESIGWA
NUDIPU
Jos
RAMIREZ Jr.
DPI
Paul
EMONG
Kyambogo University
Maria Veronica
REINA
Lydia
KIWUMULO
Cheryl
ROE
Skills Inc.
Apollo
MUKASA
David A.
ROJAS MEJIA
Jay
RUDERMAN
Ruderman Foundation
Anastasya
GERETS
Rinkle
SHAH
Andri
MAGERA
Michael Ashley
STEIN
Anastasiia
NEKRASOVA
Wendy
STROBEL GOWER
Cornell University
Levgen
POBEREZHNYI
Cathleen
THOMAS
Catherine
TOWNSEND
Robin
ALLEN
Linda
"UMBAYEMAKE
LUMBAY6 Intervention
Jo
ANDREWS
Christopher
WORMAN
TechSoup Global
Paula
BENNEWORTH
Venezuela
Ines
BULIC
Silvina
ACOSTA
Constantin
COJOCARIU
Nilka
CALDERN
FUNDADISCAPACIDAD
Corinna
CSAKY
Lumos Foundation
Viet Nam
Jane
CUMMING
Penumbra
Vu Thi
TUYET MAI
John
EVANS
Yemen
Michael
GIBSON
Disability Rights UK
Manal
AL ASHWAL
Al Saeeda Society
Kamajeet
GILL
Zimbabwe
Anna
LAWSON
University of Leeds
Fambaineni
MAGWEVA
NASCOH
Ian
LOYNES
Lovemore
RAMBIYAWO
NASCOH
Phil
MADDEN
W.N.
RUVERE
Alice
MAYNARD
Scope
Ruth
MARVEL
Scope
John
MCLACHLAN
Scope
Georgette
MULHEIR
Lumos Foundation
Rachel
MURRAY
University of Bristol
Iain
NEWTON
Jude
PALMER
Mark
PRIESTLEY
University of Leeds
Carena
ROGERS
Scope
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Susan
SCOTT-PARKER
Rohan
SLAUGHTER
Scope
Jakob
UEXKULL
Catherine
ZENNSTROM
Zennstrom Philanthropies
RUMI CEJAS
PLENADI
Uruguay
Graciela
122
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