1. Direct Payments and the Italian Experience by Raffaello Belli

2. Negative attitude Institutions Mental attitude Families 2

3. 3 Positive changes Independent living philosophy School integration Legal science Social integration Case law

4. The Constitution Freedoms Equality Solidarity 4

5. 5 Facilities “Indennità di accompagnamento” Municipalities duties Regional authorities It is a legal right It is not a legal right It should be a legal right

6. Bureaucratic obstacles Few personal assistance 6 People’s solidarity Scarce funding Independent living

7. e_mail: belli@idg.fi.cnr.it URL: http://www.idg.fi.cnr.it/attivita/disabilita/disabili.htm Postal address: Raffaello Belli c/o IDG/CNR Via Panciatichi, 56/16 50127 Firenze Tel: +39 055 4399610 Fax: +39 055 4221637 Raffaello Belli