EUROPEAN INDEPENDENT LIVING DAY

MAY 5th 2015

FINAL REPORT

European Network on Independent Living

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The second European Independent Living day was celebrated in Europe with the presence of 22 countries. The overall participation increased in comparison with the data from last year. Together, the aim of raising awareness on Independent Living was successfully achieved. Such is the success that all the participants expressed their satisfaction with the events.

Many events were covered by local TV and radio, and most of them via social media, making possible to spread our strong messages such as “No existence without assistance” in Slovenia or “The fight for independent living goes on” in Serbia.

ENIL is glad that many people become members of ENIL during and after the event which shows that the Independent Living movement is becoming more known.

After May 5th ENIL published an article with the activities that had taken place on the day. Having collected data from all the events now, we share with you the complete list of activities:

In Lithuania a video was shared, showing parts of the exhibition ‘Illusion and Identity’ about life in social care homes.

In addition, discussions about the deinstitutionalisation process took place in various cities. 10 Lithuanian regions in total were visited: Kaunas, Birzai, Druskininkai, Utena, Marijampole, Klaipeda, Siauliai, Plunge, Taurage, Vilnius.

Lithuanian members and supporters also used the chance to spread the translated ENIL Myth Buster on Independent Living. See link.

Sweden’s Independent Living activists stood in front of the Parliament, raising hands with red gloves with the message paragraph nine of the assistance legislation to be changed. Around 70 people participated and raised hands forming the shape of the number 9. With this event, the Swedish Independent Living members and supporters were demanding a change in the Swedish Personal Assistance legislation as the legislation is no longer what it originally was. People are losing assistance and becoming prisoners in their own homes.

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Latvia organized a photo exhibition which was open for two weeks, to raise awareness on Independent Living and its importance for disabled people’s lives, highlighting the right for equality.

In Norway ULOBA showed a short film about freedom and Independent Living which was one of the films at the Eurodok film festival this spring. In addition, a Facebook campaign about freedom was launched. The opportunity to join in on the event through an online web meeting allowed those who could not attend the live event the possibility to take part.

“Meet a (disabled) stranger” is the name of the campaign organized in Belgium. A tent was placed in a public place and people were invited to enter and have a chat with a CIL Belgium member who lives in the community. This person talked about his/her life, education, job, family life and the importance of Independent Living for full participation. The purpose was to promote Independent Living and to eliminate stigmatization of disabled people. The campaign included a press release and a press conference with people participating via social media.

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In Greece the Independent Living day was celebrated in Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Agios Nikolaos of Crete, Ioannina, Drama and Komotini. Independent Living activists from i-living asked people to write on a board what was the first word or phrase that came to their mind when they first heard the term "Independent Living". Afterwards Independent Living was explained and information leaflets were handed out.

A video was created with the purpose to depict the Greek reality and the ignorance of the Independent Living philosophy and to show that Independent Living is what every human seeks regardless of disability or not. The National Confederation of Disabled People in Greece also joined the Independent Living day celebration by publishing a press release on Independent Living.

The French Association Gré à Gré distributed a brochure with information about ENIL that had been translated into French, as well as a film produced by JAG (a Swedish Independent Living organization).

Gré à Gré organised a webinar about Independent Living for French speakers a few days before the actual day, but still an event to mark the Independent Living European day.

CIL Serbia marked the Independent Living day in 10 cities: Sombor, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Jagodina, Smederevo, Bor, Kragujevac, Cacak, Nis and Leskovac. The

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translation of the ENIL Myth Buster on Independent Living was published, with examples from Serbia. Each CIL branch organized different events as listed below.

CIL Belgrade launched an initiative to appeal at City Administration to bring a Decree on funding PA service in Belgrade which was signed by 15 organisations of disabled people. On May 5th, a meeting was organised with the Belgrade Mayor and the Head of City Secretariat for Social Protection in Belgrade City Hall. Around 30 people assisted the event 24 of which were personal assistance users and their assistants, three policy makers and three co-workers.

As a result of this meeting, Belgrade will have 50 disabled persons covered with PA service for the first time, and it will be included in Belgrade Strategy of Social Protection 2015-2020.

The activity was covered by local and national TV stations and newspapers. As one of the event organisators says: “This was a very good day for CIL Belgrade and will be even more when we start Personal Assistance service as of this autumn”.

“It is five minutes to twelve – time for Independent Living” is called the street action organized by the Center for Independent Living Bor . Promotional materials on Independent Living and Personal Assistance were distributed such as the ENIL Myth Buster brochure. 18 disabled persons who launched this action participated in the activity, as well as citizens and local media.

“Good media coverage, unlike last year, which indicates that things are going to change in our little community. We will use their interest to try to influence local authorities for better understanding of the needs of persons with disability.”

CIL Cacak activists organized a street action based on the distribution of leaflets and brochures to promote Independent Living. An exhibition was presented with their art works in decoupage technique.

Among the 20 participants, the Coordinator of Social Affairs at City Assembly assisted the event. It was catalogued as a successful initiative since a lot of citizens approached them to get information about Independent Living and also because of the high media covering, with five local and national TVs and newspaper agencies.

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It is also worth highlighting that the day before May 5th, CIL representatives had a meeting with Assistant Mayor to discuss funding of Personal Assistance service and lack of space for CIL office. They wanted to spread a strong message to all of us: “Continue what we have started and do not give up!”.

CIL Jagodine used the European Independent Living day to meet the City Mayor. As they had some funding problems last year regarding personal assistants, an initiative was written to decision makers to deliver Decree on continuing funding of Personal Assistance service. Twenty one persons attended the meeting, including CIL representatives and three representatives of the local municipality.

The meeting was successful and CIL Jagodine will be financed until the end of 2015 through budget rebalancing and the Decree will be adopted as of 2016. With this event they showed that the “fight for independent living goes on.”

Center for Independent Living Leskovac marked the day by awarding 13 personal assistants with Certificates. Head of the City Administration for Social Affairs honored them and handed those Certificates. In addition, the translated brochure of Myth Buster on Independent Living was distributed to all relevant decision makers, users and personal assistants, as well as other disabled people’s organisations.

Although the participation decreased as the same day the Employment Fair for disabled was celebrated, 31 people attended the event and a great number of local media and local politicians, such as the City Administration for Social Affairs, were interested in the event.

Good news is that the Local municipality will continue financing Personal Assistance. Currently eight people are financed and an attempt will be made that number to increase through budget rebalancing.

Center for Independent Living Nis marked the day with a street action through conversation with citizens and distribution of the translated Myth Buster brochure. They used the chance to ask local authorities to finance Personal Assistance service in a continuous basis. There was a very good media coverage by local TVs and a local newspaper, including an interview with CIL Nis president on TV. A local MEP and two representatives of the City Council for Social Protection joined the event.

Centre Living Upright distributed the Serbian translation of the Myth Buster Independent Living brochure to the Parliament and Government of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina as well as to the Cabinet of the City of Novi Sad major and provincial and city institutions bodies. “The breaking boundaries” brochure was also distributed to all provincial and city institutions and representatives responsible for decision making process on social protection and financing, as well as EU integration.

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A request was made for supporting the local policies on social protection by including Personal Assistance service according to the national legislation. Moreover, the Provincial government was asked to work on accessibility and peer support development as Independent Living preconditions. This should be done in cooperation with municipalities and also budgeting that will be focused on public services that enable independent living, mainstream education and employment rather than residential and special ones was requested. CLU sent a press release to local media and shared ENIL’s and other press releases.

Furthermore, a meeting was held on April 24th with the City Council member in charge of children and social protection to present the Personal Assistance service project funding. Luckily, “CLU was informed that drafting process of changing the Novi Sad local policy paper on social protection has been started. It could be a great step towards PA service sustainability and continuity as one of three preconditions of IL”

CIL Kragujevac marked the Independent Living day with various activities. A meeting with the Head of City Department for Health and Social Policy and members of that department was held to hand an initiative to solve the funding of Personal Assistance on more systematic way, with the aim of having a City Decree to fund PA service every year. Moreover, a video spot on Personal Assistance was broadcast on local TV, and CIL president was interviewed, presenting the right to Independent Living. A bowling tournament was organised by CIL Youth Group and NGO “Young”.

“Thanks to the media promotion, general population was reminded of the existence of persons with disability, their problems but also of their capabilities using PA service. Meeting with city decision makers and their promises reassure us that City support will be better and funding of PA service will be provided and protected”.

CIL Smederevo marked the Independent Living day with a round table on Independent Living. The problem that Personal Assistance service is not included in Smederevo City budget since 2013 was addressed in front of the City Mayor.

A translation of ENIL’s Myth Buster on Independent Living was presented and previous Personal Assistances users life experience was explained focusing on the current situation without this service. 18 persons celebrated the day, who together “will fight to get back PA service again in Smederevo”.

In Armenia there were two events happening:

Unison NGO held a street flash-mob - an action against occupying the parking spaces for disabled people by non-disabled drivers. Participants were touring around the central streets of Yerevan to find out whether the parking spaces marked with a wheelchair sign were free or occupied. In the case of them being occupied by drivers who were not eligible, participants placed a sticker with a short text on those cars.

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“Independent Living and Integration” was the video contest organised by the Skarp NGO and the Union of Legal Entities “National Disability Advocacy Coalition”. Disabled and non-disabled people sent one-minute videos on how they saw Independent Living. On May 5th the winners were announced. The event was covered by different TV channels and newspapers, thus allowing for a wide spread of the message of Independent Living. The number of the participants was around 45, including media representatives.“The event can be surely called successful even though it was organized for the first time. Based on its success the event is planned to be organized every year on the European Independent Living day”.

Several events took place in Italy: A conference was organized in Roma by the Independent Living Agency in Roma and Fish Lazio to address the issue of personal assistance, home care and the contrast of institutionalization.

A conference also took place in Udine. In many cities around Italy events, such as flash mobs with the distribution of informational material, video-interviews of citizens about Independent Living and provocative acts, were organized. An informative stall was placed outside the Municipality Hall at Cerignola (in Puglia) to inform citizens and politicians about Independent Living. There were two initiatives organized by the "Comitato lombardo per la vita indipendente delle persone con disabilità": In Milan a video was released with interviews with three local administrators, which allowed for the better understanding of the the reality of disabled people and what needs to be changed for Independent Living. A march of eight wheelchair users, accompanied by some friends, was organized in Como and flyers were distributed to each Council Member and to the Mayor, showing the need to implement Independent Living principles. They also had the chance to talk with the mayor and some councilors to remind the requests they have forwarded on several occasions. The initiative ended at a bar where participants celebrated the Independent Living day. A total of 50 people joined the celebration of that day.

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Slovenia’s campaign "Member of Parliament, a Personal Assistant" invited all MEPs to spend part of the day working as a personal assistant, so that they could better understand the importance of personal assistance in everyday lives of disabled people. Multisectoral workshops on the square of Slovenia's capital were used to distribute promotional materials and to answer questions regarding Independent Living and Personal Assistance. Klaudija Poropat's photo exhibition entitled “Personal Assistance is our Existence” was shown on the square. In addition, a press conference was released. The participation of Slovenian people on the day increased too the number of 80 people celebrating the day.

In United Kingdom, as an ENIL member and supporter, DPAC chose to have an online protest to remind voters and the main political parties of the fundamental importance of the independent living fund through a #saveilf protest two days prior to the general elections. In addition, they supported Occupy in their occupation of Parliament Square throughout the week of the election with protests and speakers for Occupy Democracy.

The initiators and organizers from Hungary used the 17th of May instead of the 5th

of May to raise awareness on Independent Living. Rehab Critical Mass was held in Budapest for the second time with the aim of promoting social awareness for the improvement of quality of life of disabled. It was a grass roots initiative where many NGOs, private individuals and volunteers collaborated, making the participation increase from 3000 to 5000 people.

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As the initiator of RCM said, "people with disabilities are still facing discrimination and exclusion in employment, healthcare, transport, accessibility of built environment, education, in cultural life and also in free time”. In order to address this problem, a petition was published with demands and needs of people with different disabilities and signatures were collected for weeks before and on the day itself.

The Critical Mass gathered in one of the most touristic and historical areas in Budapest and plenty of events were organised: activities for children and for families with and without disabilities, discussions and many music groups performances such as Nemadomfel which is composed of disabled and non-disabled singers and musicians. Moreover, a march was led with colorful balloons over the Chainbridge to different touristic locations in the city. A press conference and a press release covered the event and all the media reported the day. “It was a real critical mass which had to be noticed by the government.”

In addition, on 8th May MEOSZ held its National Assembly, where the meaning of the Independent Living day and ENIL were presented.

Portugal conducted a public awareness initiative through a school called “Towards a Generation”. See link.

The Bulgarian Independent Living activists from CIL Sofia organized a discussion on "It is time for European policy in the disability field”. The discussion was initiated by a group of people with different disabilities from across the country who insist to live actively and equally with all other Bulgarian citizens. The Center for Independent Living took on the logistics of the event. Both people with different

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disabilities and representatives of MLSP, MH, ADP and ASA participated on the discussion. The idea was based on the suggestions for reforming the disability assessment, based on the Methodology of the World Health Organization (WHO) and medical epicrisis to be separated from a subsequent social assessment.

Due to the need to reform the Bulgarian disability legislation and adopt a new Disability Law, a new National Disability Agency (NDA) was suggested which wouldbe responsible for the social assessment, including the determination of the necessary monthly financial support, the technical aids, the personal assistance, the accessible housing, car, etc., for the accessibility of the environment and also for the synchronization of the Bulgarian legislation with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). They also proposed the abolition of the statute of the national representation of organizations of and for disabled people and introduced another mechanism for including such organizations in NCIDP.

Bosnia IL organised a promotion of a book that contains stories of disabled women and girls. The stories were collected during the implementation of a short project that aimed to increase self-esteem and confidence of girls and women in the Tuzla region. The book also aims to motivate other women and girls to become involved in activities of disabled people’s organisations as well as with society in general.

Two events happened in Cyprus:

The ESFC planed for the whole of May an information campaign about the rights of disabled people taking place at the High Schools of Lemesos, emphasizing the UN CRPD and especially its article 19 and Independent Living. However, this activity was postponed to October due to financial issues. Instead of this activity, they started working on a project called “Accessible Lemesos”, which aims to improve the accessibility of the town.

The Cyprus Paraplegics Association carried out the following activities: A press conference on 5th May was held emphasising the importance of Independent Living as prescribed by the respect to human rights and article 19 of the UN Convention

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on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The press conference was very successful as all TV channels sent reporters. A press release of the conference was published. In addition, a representative of their organization talked live on radio and TV on 5th May regarding Independent Living. On 10th May disabled people were invited to spend time out of home and engage in activities, so that people could see that with the necessary support disabled people are able to participate in everyday leisure activities on an equal basis.  

In San Marino an article was published in media and in some websites on employment of disabled people.

In the Netherlands, Amsterdam, a wheelchair basketball tournament was organised, inviting non-wheelchair users to participate in this event in a wheelchair.

In Germany the European Protest Day for Equal Rights was celebrated as part as the Independent Living day, with about 700 activities going on. The main activities were for a better law on the inclusion of disabled people, taking place with a demonstration from the office of the Chancellor to the Brandenburg gate, in Stuttgart with a rally and in Munich with several activities happening on the Marienplatz. “For a good law for the participation of disabled people” was the slogan used for the campaign. In Berlin they had about 1.500 people gathered in front of the Brandenburger Gate.

The Irish Donegal CIL published a video to mark the day portraying Independent Living.

In Spain a meeting between friends from the Basque Country was organised to chat and discuss issues on Independent Living.

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ENIL again thanks all who made the day a success. Together we make our voices heard. Together we can be proud. Together we are strong. Together we are visible! Until next year!

Visit the following links for photos and videos:

ENIL press release: www.enil.eu/news/celebrating-5th-may-the-european-day-for-independent-living

Lithuania

https://www.facebook.com/ENILsecretaria/posts/631687643629102

Myth Buster Lithuanian version: http://www.enil.eu/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Myth-Buster_Lithuanian-version.pdf

Sweden

https://www.facebook.com/ENILsecretaria/posts/628347140629819

Latvia

https://www.facebook.com/lepns.stiprs.pamanams/photos/a.395515397295147.1073741828.356473647865989/438525099660843/?type=1&theater

Norway

https://www.facebook.com/ULOBA/photos/pb.119878348024795.-2207520000.1431077667./987926887886599/?type=1&theater

Belgium

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTwoNWn6P4g&feature=youtu.be

https://www.facebook.com/onafhankelijk.leven/photos/ms.c.eJw9ksmRxUAIQzOaYl~;yT2wMLf7xFUKWcIelh7QLmSjVXwyr0bCEHueyB9jLNd3z9Ck7Vwa3LjM9NuphbgOLVFKVJbh4OAt~_9vb59p14vmfqYHt6gf5rMHNN~_HvF7BPDP~_jNFfOQzf~;rGzZ6bj99yLKhT6Qv3~;eS108EfimTl6uQN7Vnzg2~;L~;rkdUb~_jFwmAe~;9uO5~_Wbb7fvPWZcP~;qClnnN1g3nuYI1~;JYzvWzcuEvOWbjxL5qrZfMvTNNPvq8P~_KL9892iafdSNffycfvv6dOnppvJcuHv~;vquB9bxy4fxLX7vOxxO6b~;gOxvIk9.bps.a.647562948708975.1073741841.210178659114075/647562952042308/?type=1&theater

Greece

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPzy0M5su_k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y97I8PM5Es

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.370602303138132.1073741832.350388655159497&type=1

http://www.esaea.gr/pressoffice/press-releases/2514-eyropaiki-imera-anexartitis-diabiosis

Serbia

https://www.facebook.com/ENILsecretaria/photos/pcb.625800017551198/625799374217929/?type=1&theater

CLU press release: http://czuns.org/index.php/sr/home/82-vesti/347-5-maj-evropski-dan-samostalog-zivota

Info at the Provincial Public service: http://www.rtv.rs/sr_ci/vojvodina/novi-sad/omoguciti-uslugu-personalne-asistencije_596207.html

The news at the Portal of Civic Vojvodina:

http://www.autonomija.info/centar-ziveti-uspravno-trazi-pravo-na-samostalni-zivot.html

Armenia

Winners of the video contest:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoR2686dO-c&list=PLXPVfKbMIRHm3V9ZFjLnkmC9A77UTlXob&index=7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQrDjs0bh0A&list=PLXPVfKbMIRHm3V9ZFjLnkmC9A77UTlXob&index=9 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKggBom3C9k&list=PLXPVfKbMIRHm3V9ZFjLnkmC9A77UTlXob&index=14 

Italy

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https://www.facebook.com/events/465345486954252/

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=483881718434486&set=pcb.1822038698020674&type=1&theater

http://www.disabilialloscoperto.it/wordpress/blog/2015/05/05/vita-indipendente-a-milano-la-convenzione-onu-e-carta-straccia/

PROTAGONISTI NOI - 5 maggio 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2YwcdAi1go&feature=share

Slovenia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=12&v=fkXA8oj3O4A

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.1638099819745121&type=1

United Kingdom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pLn3RfY1Hs

http://occupydemocracy.org.uk/

Hungary

https://www.facebook.com/rehabcriticalmass.hu/photos_stream

Portugal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucqS1aLrHvk&feature=youtu.be

Bosnia

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007544791212&sk=photos&collection_token=100007544791212%3A2305272732%3A69&set=a.1565290507065761.1073741859.100007544791212&type=1

Cyprus

https://l.facebook.com/l/lAQEeno1bAQHJ9Wp0c9t26XH34fDi8SxLdZHFRBxKPB6h4w/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DZ_pu6c_ek-I

San Marino

http://www.smtvsanmarino.sm/comunicati/2015/04/27/giornata-europea-vita-indipendente-persone-disabilita

http://www.sanmarinonotizie.com/2015/04/27/giornata-europea-per-la-vita-indipendente-delle-persone-con-disabilita/

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http://www.libertas.sm/cont/comunicato/giornata-europea-per-la-vita-indipendente-delle-persone-con-disabilita-attiva-mente/105786/1.html

Ireland

https://vimeo.com/126254234

Spain

https://www.facebook.com/ENILsecretaria/photos/pcb.625682867562913/625681567563043/?

type=1&theater

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