Indicator 4(B): Are there pilot projects on community living? Are they effective and inclusive enough?

Conclusion:
Yes, and these must be scaled up.

Explanation:

There are a number of pilot projects initiated by non-profit organisations and service providers. One of the promising practices is the KULCS program of Értelmi Fogyatékossággal Élők és Segítőik Országos Érdekvédelmi Szövetsége (ÉFOÉSZ, Hungarian Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability).^[94] The project was launched in the spring of 2011 at Tapolca, a town in western Hungary. The aim of the project was to assist people with intellectual disabilities to live in rented or owned apartments and to get access to social services where needed.  So far three men have been selected and prepared for independent living. ÉFOÉSZ plans to extend the program with two new apartments in Veszprém.

The Down Foundation (Down Alapítvány) has had a more extensive project on independent living since 2007. The name of the service is SALSA – Saját lakás, Saját élet (Own flat, Own life).^[95] People with Down syndrome are supported by this service when other services have failed them or mainstream services are not available at all. However, purchasing support services from the market is still encouraged. So far, according to the information available on the Down Foundation’s website, 3 couples and 4 individuals have been benefitted from the project.

Since both of these programs are initiated by non-profit organisations, their promising practices have yet to be scaled up to benefit larger numbers of people with disabilities. In addition, they are dependent on voluntary funding arrangements.