Hundreds of people with disabilities gathered in Brussels to demand a strategic plan to guarantee independence outside of residential care homes under the slogan “Our Voice Matters.” Organized by ENIL, the demonstration called for the closure of care homes that restrict freedom and autonomy for people with disabilities.
Nadia Hadad, co-president of ENIL, emphasized the need for individuals to have the capacity and resources to lead independent lives outside of care homes. Participants like Florian Sanden and Kamil Goungor echoed the sentiment, advocating for personal budgets and assistants to empower them and provide equal rights.
The protestors marched to the European Commission and Parliament to urge EU institutions to stop funding residential housing for disabled people, emphasizing the need to invest in support that upholds the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The objective of the demonstration was to push for a strategic plan that ensures disabled individuals have the necessary resources to live outside care homes, instead of being confined to sheltered spaces. ENIL emphasized the importance of timely funding and human resources to emancipate individuals with disabilities.
The protest was part of the Freedom Drive, a biennial event aimed at defending the rights of people with disabilities and advocating for independence and autonomy outside residential care homes.
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