Towards full participation of ageing persons with disabilities Protecting and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in Europe: towards full participation, inclusion and empowerment Towards full participation of ageing persons with disabilities Workshop 3: Ageing and Disability Council of Europe Sweden 28-30 October 2008 Isabel Cottinelli Telmo European Disability Forum

“across Europe, about 15 million elderly will acquire Ageing is one of the humanity greatest conquests Are we prepared to face the challenge it represents? “across Europe, about 15 million elderly will acquire some form of disability while about 10 million people with a disability will become elderly” (Spooren, J.,2007)

the problems resulting from getting old Ageing people with disabilities face the problems resulting from their handicap and the problems resulting from getting old People with high complex dependency needs and problems of communication have a double vulnerability

Rights of Persons with Disabilities UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Council of Europe Disability Action Plan 2006-2015 European Union Disability Strategy 2004-2010 Purpose of the UN Convention “to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity” including those who face more ”barriers that may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”

Council of Europe Disability Action Plan recognizes that “The progressive ageing of people with disabilities, particularly those requiring more intensive support due to the nature of their impairment, presents new challenges for societies across Europe” and requires innovative approaches to meet these challenges across a wide range of services and areas “one of the more vulnerable groups of people with disabilities is the group of people who, due to the severity and complexity of their disability, are in need of a high level of support. Their quality of life is very much dependent on the availability of appropriate quality services and specific, often intensive support”

Rights in the Convention Right to effective access to justice for persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others (UN Convention article 13) Right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law (articles 5,12) promote appropriate training for those working in the field of administration of justice, including police and prison staff Right to freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse (article16) Right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (article15)

Rights in the Convention Right to have a provision for accurate diagnosis and accurate information on the specific health condition “…including early identification and intervention as appropriate, and services designed to minimize and prevent further disabilities, including among children and older persons” (article 25 b) Right to have an accurate assessment of their individual needs and forward planning as well as availability of required services (Council of Europe Action Plan)

To improve accessibility on communication and social UN Convention recognizes the importance of full and effective participation and inclusion in society as a general principle (article 3) a general obligation (article 4) Programmes tailored to individual needs and strenghts To improve accessibility on communication and social interaction (articles 9,19, 21, 29) To implement or adapt services (article 26) To provide for housing facilities (articles 19, 28) To train professional staff (CoE Action Plan) To foster cultural and leisure activities (article 30) To provide for a realistic and adequate financial support (article 28)

Planning and coordination across relevant authorities, government agencies and service providers are needed to adequately address the specific problems of ageing people with disabilities At national level the Convention expressly stipulates that “civil society, in particular persons with disabilities and their representative organizations shall be involved and participate fully in the monitoring process” (UN Convention article 33. 3) At international level States Parties are invited to give due consideration to consulting with and actively involving persons with disabilities through their representative organizations (UN Convention articles 34.3 and 4.3)

European Disability Forum EDF is an umbrella organisation with full members in 27 EU countries, Norway, Iceland & 43 European organisations from all main disabilities and chronic illnesses Persons with disabilities & families organised in national and European federations as leaders Bringing the unified voice of disabled people in Europe Fighting for equal opportunities & human rights across the EU agenda Making sure that no decisions affecting disabled people are taken without them www.edf-feph.org

Making human rights a reality EDF has together with its members invited European Countries to sign and ratify the UN Convention, through letters, meetings, seminars, press conferences, events EDF members joining official delegations in signing ceremony Translations made by EDF members Guidance documents and seminars on key provisions EDF played an important and active role in the elaboration of the Council of Europe Disability Action Plan Informing the disability movement on the CoE action plan In active dialogue with the EU fundamental rights agency

And what is our role as a participant citizen in the world? Without our active participation in the process, whether in the government, in our employments, or wherever we live and work, the implementation of UN Convention and all other legal documents will not be possible Our contribution to the awareness of the urgency of full inclusion of ageing people with disabilities and their right to empowerment is the only way to reach their full participation in schools, in community organizations and in politics and public life