ENIL’s Newsletters review of the year for 2010

The European Network for Indepednent Living (ENIL) presents a newsletter every fortnight with information regarding events and uplifting stories on various issues and news happening throughout Europe.  Since January, the newsletters included a number of interesting profiles of people with disabilities about their lives and their work and contribution to the IL movement such as, Jamie Bolling (Executive Director of ENIL), Adam Kasa (President of the European Parliament Disability Intergroup), Helena Karnstrom from Stockholm.  What an inspiring and encouraging read.

ENIL had plenty of activities and events to report on during the year.  It is evident from the newsletters that the communication between ENIL and some of the other European organisations and individuals has been strong.  This is very important as it shows that people are determined to enhance the IL movement throughout Europe in spite of the many challenges we come across.

There has been a lot of events and stories covered throughout the year up to this point.  As this is the last newsletter of 2010, we decided to round off the year with an overview of the year just past.

Here is just a sample of some events and points highligthed in the newsletters during the year:

• ENIL is working to ensure that we move away from the medical model to an approach of equal opportunities for all people with disabilities in every corner of Europe.
• ENIL held four Strasbourg Freedom Drives during the last decade.  The Freedom Drive is held every two years.  There was one held last year 2009 which was a success.  The next one is due to be held September 2011.  Watch the next newsletter for more information regarding 2011.
• 2010 is the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Inclusion which was launched on 21st Junauary.  People with disabilities are among the most poorest people throughout Europe and the world.  ENIL is using this theme for advocacy for their working plan for this year.
• International Holocaust Rememberance day takes place each year on 27th January each year.  This year is the 65th anniversary to remember the victims of many people who were killed in the gas chambers where many of these people were people with disabilities.  This was horrific as people were institutionalised.  ENIL is calling for a closure to all institutions as people with disabilities want to live independently and not be institutionalised.
• World day for Social Justice is held on 30th February which was designated by the General Assembly on 26th November 2007.  ENIL emphasises that there is a need for education, employment and social inclusion to reduce poverty among people with disabilities. There is a need for the development of support and services that reduce dependence and contribute to the economic empowerment and full participation of people with disabilities in society. Also, personal assistance schemes are essential for support and in reducing social exclusion.
• International Women’s Day on 8^th March-ENIL recognize that women with disability do not have a voice. A woman is more likely to be abused than a man but when you are a woman with a disability the chances are even higher.
• This year is the 20^th anniversary of the American Disability Act (ADA).  This celebration took place in America on 26^th July.
• The ENIL General Assembly was held on 20th September in Strasbourg. 30 ENIL members attended this important event.
• ENIL ran a number of campaigns during the year such as Free Our People Now!

For further information and more, please check out the back issues of the newsletters on the website under elibray. We are working on improving  our newsletters all the time. If any of you have any items and photographs that you would like to see in the newsletter please let us know. We all hope that you have a safe and Happy New Year and we look forward to hearing from you in January to continue our work at making it a better place for all people with disabilities throughout Europe! By Gina Mc Namara

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