Indicator 1(A): How many people with mental disabilities live in institutions?
Conclusion:
Over 7,000 people with mental disabilities are required to live in institutions in Bulgaria.[5] There has been very little change in this figure since Bulgaria ratified the CRPD.
Explanation:
According to data made available by the Agency for Social Assistance, as of June 2014 more than 5,000 adults and children with mental disabilities live in institutions. An annual report of the Agency for Social Assistance from 2013 also noted that 2,137 adults l adults ived in 27 homes for adults with intellectual disabilities,[6] 825 people lived in 14 homes for adults with dementia,[7] and 1,036 people with mental health issues were placed in 13 homes for adults with psycho-social disabilities.[8] There were 1,372 children with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities placed in 24 homes, of which 1,302 children lived in social care homes for children with intellectual disabilities and 70 children lived in homes for children with physical disabilities.[9] According to the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute, a further 1,204 children lived in 29 homes for medical and social care for children.[10]
The overall numbers of people with mental disabilities placed in institutions has not changed substantially in recent years.[11] The number of children placed in homes for medical and social care is an exception, with the population of these homes halving between 2008 and 2013 as a result of deinstitutionalisation programmes.[12]
In 2013, there were 11 transitional homes for adults with the capacity of 100 places.[13] Protected homes (see Glossary) also provided accommodation for a significant number of adults with mental disabilities: the total capacity of 119 sheltered homes in 2013 was 1,061 places.[14] In addition, the number of community-based residential services is growing.[15] As of 2013, 677 people with intellectual disabilities and people with mental health issues lived in 53 family-type accommodation centres,[16] and 1,201 children lived in 104 family-type accommodation centres for children[17] (see Glossary).
[5] Agency for Social Assistance, Bulgaria, available at http://www.asp.government.bg/ASP_Client/ClientServlet?cmd=add_content&lng=1§id=24&s1=22&selid=22 (last accessed: 1 September 2014).
[6] Agency for Social Assistance, 2013 Annual Report, Bulgaria, 20, available at http://www.asp.government.bg/ASP_Files/APP/GODISHEN%20OTCHET%20ASP%20-%202013-.pdf (last accessed: 1 September 2014).
[7] Ibid, 21.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid, 15. See also the Agency for Social Assistance, Bulgaria, available at http://www.asp.government.bg/ASP_Client/ClientServlet?cmd=add_content&lng=1§id=24&s1=22&selid=22 (last accessed: 1 September 2014).
[10] These homes accommodate children up to the age of three years, or up to the age of 8 years in the case of children with severe disabilities.
[11] In 2009 the capacity of homes for people with intellectual disabilities was 2,379 beds, the capacity of homes for adults with dementia was 843 beds and the capacity of homes for adults with psycho-social disabilities was 1,549 beds. The capacity of homes for children with intellectual disabilities was 1,457 in 2009. However in the case of homes for children, this number was slightly higher in the preceding years: 1,612 in 2008 and 1,991 in 2005. Report on the activities of the Agency for Social Assistance for 2009, 15, available at http://www.asp.government.bg/ASP_Client/ClientServlet?cmd=add_content&lng=1§id=12&s1=207&selid=207 (last accessed: 23 September 2014).
[12] National statistical institute, Homes for medical and social care for children in 2013, 1.
[13] Ibid, 21.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, Human Rights in Bulgaria in 2011, Annual report of the BHC (Sofia, March 2012), 54-55, available at http://www.bghelsinki.org/media/uploads/annual_reports/2011-en.pdf (last accessed: 23 September 2014). Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, Human Rights in Bulgaria in 2012, Annual report of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, 42, available at http://www.bghelsinki.org/media/uploads/annual_reports/2012_bhc_annual_report_en.pdf (last accessed: 23 September 2014).
[16] Agency for Social Assistance, 2013 Annual Report, Bulgaria, 21-22.
[17] Ibid, 14.