Promotional graphic for an online meeting titled “PAW” (Personal Assistance Users). The design features large white letters “PAW” on a blue gradient background with illustrated people participating in an online discussion. Text reads: “A discussion between Personal Assistance Users. Every last Thursday of the month, 17:00–18:30 CET, Online via Zoom.” EU co-funding logo appears in the bottom left corner.

When: the last Thursday each month, from 17:00 – 18:30.

Where: Online, Zoom


You can join us by registering here.



What is PAW?


Personal Assistance Watch – PAW is a new space run by the European Network on Independent Living to discuss access to Personal Assistance across Europe. PAW is a follow up to PAUC – Personal Assistance Users’ Club, which was active in 2022 and 2023, and was open to disabled people with Personal Assistance.



Who is PAW for?


PAW welcomes anyone interested in Personal Assistance – disabled people who have PA or would like to have it, Centers for Independent Living, Disabled People’s Organisations, academics, service providers and others.



How does PAW work?


PAW consists of monthly meetings, moderated by ENIL member Alessandra Grotta (Italy/Sweden), with the support of ENIL Secretariat. Each meeting will focus on a specific issue, with time set aside at the end for free discussion about anything the participants would like to ask or discuss.


Topics include, though will not be limited to:


  • Key components of Personal Assistance legislation
  • Recruiting PAs – how to make it easier?
  • Assessment – how to make sure every person gets the right amount of PA
  • Training – who should be trained and by whom?
  • Moving to another country as a PA user
  • The role of families
  • Working conditions of PAs
  • Centers for Independent Living and user cooperatives
  • Other topics, depending on what the participants would like to know about

You can also submit your topics here.



How often will PAW meet?


PAW meetings will take place throughout 2024, during the last Thursday each month, from 17:00 – 18:30.


The next meetings will take place on:



DatesTopics
Thursday, 26 February, 2026From Managing Support to Mental Well-Being
Thursday, 26 March, 2026Personal Assistance in Switzerland
Thursday, 30 April, 2026Love, Dating, Intimacy, and Personal Assistance
Thursday, 28 May, 2026Welfare Systems and Fear: Emotional Consequences of Austerity Politics


How can you join?

To register for PAW, please click on the link on the right.