On 16th April, the European Network on Independent Living – ENIL, in the framework of the European Coalition for Community Living – ECCL and in partnership with Nic Crosby (GatherBuildWork), organised a successful webinar on European deinstitutionalisation reforms. The webinar, titled “Deinstitutionalisation in Practice – A Conversation with Practitioners and Disabled People”, brought together speakers…
During May and June, we have three volunteers joining the ENIL Team. Peadar O’Dea is part of our 8-month long European Solidarity Corps programme and will be based at the Brussels Office, while the other two volunteers will work remotely for approximately 3 months. We are happy to have them on board, and you can…
On 24th May, the Board of the European Network on Independent Living – ENIL adopted the Annual Report for 2020. The report covers ENIL’s activities between 1 January and 31 December 2020. It is aimed at anyone who would like to find out more about ENIL and its work. This includes our members, allies, disabled…
The European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) and the Association of Women with Disabilities (ENG-KAD) are starting a new project, which aims to promote the development of personal assistance in Turkey by ensuring that people with disabilities are better informed and better able to advocate tor personal assistance. Personal assistance is a tool, which allows…
In Brussels, 5th May 2021 – Today, as we mark the 8th European Independent Living Day, we are calling for the release of Siarhei Drazdouski and Aleh Hrableuski, from the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Belarus. Both men have been detained for over three months and are facing up to four…
The 8th edition of the European Independent Living Day on the 5th May is around the corner, and, as we recently wrote, this year we decided to dedicate it to the idea of movement or mobility, in a broader way. With this, we hope that many people and organisations across Europe and beyond will be motivated to…
In view of the dialogue between France and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee), which is scheduled for August 2021, Coordination Handicap et Autonomie – Vie Autonome France (CHA – France) – supported by ENIL – sent a number of recommendations for the Concluding Observations. The contribution gives an overview…
Disability Rights International (DRI), the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) and Validity Foundation sent a joint contribution to the permanent representation of the European Union at the United Nations, in preparation of the EU – Ukraine Human Rights Dialogue. The submission, sent on 26 April, focuses on the situation of children in institutions and…
The name of our Association is the Association of the Physically Disabled, Lower River Region. This Association is in the countryside, in which we have children, elders and women. We are from Gambia, within the West Africa. Our Association is registered to the Anthony general chamber and we have a Land of 50/50 meter square….
Vienna and Brussels, 20 April 2021 – Independent Living Austria (ILA) and the European Network for Independent Living (ENIL) filed a second official complaint to the European Commission against Austria. The complaint concerns the misuse of an estimated 3.2 million EUR from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), used in Tyrol for the renovation…
With 100 days to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the European Network on Independent Living – ENIL is appalled at the news that Tokyo Paralympic Torch will pass through the Yamayuri-en institution for disabled people, which is referred to as an example of “inclusive society”. The same institution was the site…
Independent Living has spread from the USA to many countries across the world. Started in the 60s by American activists, the ideology, philosophy and movement of Independent Living has been important for changes, making the world a better place for disabled people[1]. In the book – Vying for a Choice: Gordana Rajkov – A Life…
Disability Activism in Europe: Young Disabled Activist’s Views and Experiences is a research project that explores disability activism, politics, and the activities of young disabled activists across Europe to challenge marginalisation and discrimination. It is co-funded by the University of Leeds and the Leverhulme Trust. It is led by Dr Miro Griffiths, a former board…
My name is Stanislas. I come from a small city in France called Elancourt, close to Paris. I lived abroad for around 10 years. I studied in France and Japan and worked mostly in Belgium. My speciality is finance and accounting for NGOs. I also dedicate my time to French teaching and to music. I…
Today, the European Commission launched a new Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021 – 2030. The European Network on Independent Living – ENIL welcomes the Strategy, which will act as a roadmap for the EU institutions and Member States in the coming decade. The strategy has three main themes: 1. Enjoying EU…
In 2014, the European Network on Independent Living – ENIL celebrated 25 years of existence. To commemorate this event and to celebrate our growing network, the ENIL Board decided to declare May 5th as the European Day on Independent Living. This day can be used as a day of celebration, for protests or any other…
From the 8th March – 1st April, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD Committee) will hold its 24th session – the session will take place online, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During the session, the Committee will hold an online constructive dialogue with Estonia, after which it will publish the Concluding…
On 29th January, ENIL took part in the webinar “COVID 19 and the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Independent Living in a Pandemic”, organised by the Croatian Association for Self- Advocacy. The webinar was moderated by Damjan Janjušević from the Association for Self-Advocacy. The panellists were: Anka Slonjšak, Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities, Kristina…
For a month now, I have been trying to put into words the best, strangest and most transformative year of my life so far. When I first learned about the Independent Living movement and ENIL during a study session in 2019, I thought ESC opportunities and those experiences were so far away from me. Because…
The European Network on Independent Living – ENIL, stands in solidarity with our member organisation in Belarus, the Office for the Rights of People with Disabilities (ORPD), and other human rights organisations. As stated in the letter signed by a number of civil society organisations in the country, they are being targeted by the Department…
