ENIL – European Network on Independent Living is a cross – disability rights civil society organization working in all EU countries but also in neighboring countries for the spreading of independent living and the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). No matter the disability all are welcome to join us in challenging the discrimination, isolation and exclusion that we face.
ENIL works through networks at local, county, national and international levels. We support the setting up of Centers for Independent Living. Together we lobby for the mainstreaming of human rights putting pressure on our governments for change and inclusion. ENIL works with the European Commission, universities and other NGOs in the field of discrimination. We seek partnership with academia, government agencies, law associations, and human rights organizations.
We promote all Independent Living issues at hand and emphasize the work with article 19 giving people with disabilities the opportunity to choose where and with whom they want to live. This implies the closure of institutions, the accessibility of society and the provision of services such as personal assistance. All people with disabilities are to be included. We target specially people with intellectual impairment with what we call the JAG model. Through personal assistance with the help of a legal representative these persons can also live in the community and should not be locked in institutions unfortunately often the case.
Empowerment of local groups is a main focus so they themselves can expose rights violations. Access to services, personal assistance, education and employment are vital issues to enable us to leave the poverty that imprisons and isolates us.
Our goals are two fold. They are to promote independent living and human rights but also peer support or the empowerment of disabled people. In promoting independent living and human rights we:
- Promote community services and personal assistance with self-direction
- Promote de-institutionalization
- Challenge discrimination
- Promote equal opportunities
- Promote universal design and accessibility
- Promote democracy and self-determination
In promoting peer support we:
- Increase sharing of information, experiences and insights to raise consciousness among people with disabilities
- Raise awareness of discrimination
- Increase empowerment of people with disabilities
