Indicator 4(A): Is there a satisfactory national community living strategy?

Conclusion:

No. The official 30-year timeframe for completing the deinstitutionalisation process is far too long, there are no measurable milestones and few concrete steps have been taken so far.

Explanation:

In 2011 the government adopted a deinstitutionalisation strategy.^[91] This was the first overarching strategy on deinstitutionalisation since Act XXVI of 1998 on the Rights and Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. One of the main reforms was the introduction of protected housing. Following a needs assessment driven by professionals, people with disabilities can be placed in flats, group homes or living centres (see Glossary). These forms of congregate residential settings continue reflect an institutional model and continue to segregate people with disabilities from society.

The DI Strategy has a 30-year implementation period – from 2011 to 2041 – without any intermediate measurable indicators, clearly showing the low priority given to the systemic transformations required. No significant changes have occurred so far: only 700 out of 25,000 residents are on their way to move out from large congregate institutions. Moreover, the DI Strategy contains no provisions for the deinstitutionalisation of children’s institutions and there are no plans for developing ‘family-like and community-based accommodation’ for children with disabilities.^[92] Similarly the DI strategy fails to include people with mental health issues, although a subsequent DI tender amended this.^[93]