Inclusion Daily Express -- Disability Forum Calls For Ending Institutionalization In Europe

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Disability Forum Calls For Ending Institutionalization In Europe
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
December 1, 2005

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM--The president of the European Disability Forum used the International Day of Disabled People to urge European Union member nations to end institutional housing of people with disabilities.

Yannis Vardakastanis said Thursday that there should be no place in Europe for people that have disabilities to be segregated and denied their rights, according to BBC News. "It's time they came out into the light and were able to participate as active European citizens," he said.

"What disabled persons ask for is something simple -- to live included in society."

Vardakastanis went on to add that institutionalization does not just apply to large facilities.

"Whenever a disabled person lives in a situation where their right to choice is being violated, and where decisions are taken over their head, they are institutionalized."

Vardakastanis called on all levels of government to end discriminatory practices.

Related:
"EU 'must end' institutional care" (BBC News)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4485076.stm
European Disability Forum
http://www.edf-feph.org/en/welcome.htm

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