Association "Latvian Movement for independent
life" has submitted to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities alternative
report on the implementation of United
Nations Convention on Persons with Disabilities in the Republic of Latvia Proposal for the
List of issues in relation to the initial report of the Republic of Latvia. The report focuses on several articles of
Convention: children with disabilities, awareness raising of disability issues
in the society, Living independently and being included in the community and
deinstitutionalization aspects, access to education, as well as monitoring the
implementation of the UN Convention at the national level.
|
Referring to the
association "Latvian Movement for
Independent living" initiative, the association’s board chairperson Inga Šķestere, member Tamara Vahļina, the
member organizations of "Wings of Hope" Chairman of the Board Eva
Viļķina met with the representatives of Ombudsman's Office several departments
in order to discuss the most pressing issues. During the meeting were discussed
issues about care of children with disabilities in long-term social care and
social rehabilitation institutions, as well as a number of identified problems
in relation to the ongoing deinstitutionalization process, emphasizing the
risks to the implementation of the de-institutionalization process and
discussing the low effectivity of already taken activities.
|
Referring to the
European Commission's initiative, the association "Latvian Movement for
Independent living" (LATMIL) chairperson Inga Šķestere, board member Tamara
Vahļina and chairperson of member organization "Parents Together" Agita
Schultz met with the European Commission's Employment and Social Affairs
Directorate representatives to discuss the latest information on the
de-institutionalization Latvian, particularly in relation to European investment
funds. During the meeting, LATMIL provided a comprehensive insight into the deinstitutionalisation
processes, and expressed its concern about the slow community-based services
development process and identified risks. The European Commission was given the
opportunity to get acquainted with the community-based services provided by
LATMIL. The sides agreed on further cooperation.
|
Association "Latvian Movement for independent living" (LATMIL) in
cooperation with the German organization Internationaler Bund on 28 September
2016, organized an international conference "Innovative aspects in care
and employment of persons with mental disabilities.German and Latvian
experience. " , in order to share experience gained in providing community-based
social services for people with intellectual disabilities.
»read more
|
On 19 September 2016,
the chairperson of association "Latvian Movement for Independent
living" I.Šķestere contributed to
the debate on the European Pillar of Social Rights. During the debate, the European Commission representative L.Adamaite
presented the new EC initiative. W Latvian position on the European Pillar of Social Rights to the
audience presented Minister for Welfare
J.Reirs, as well as a number of Latvian civil society representatives. During
the debate chairperson of association "Latvian Movement for Independent
living" I.Šķestere expressed position
of association on European Pillar of Social Rights, emphasizing number of issues the new document does not pay sufficient
attention. Association "Latvian Movement for Independent living" has
elaborated position paper on European Pillar of
Social Rights.
|
The country has already started the process of de-institutionalization
and local governments will have opportunity to develop community-based social services for
people with mental disabilities with the support ESF funding in new planning
period. However, many local authorities lack the knowledge and understanding of
the target groups and the possible content
and structure of social services. Association "Latvian Movement for
Independent living" within its capacity, provide advisory support
to local governments. There have been already more than 20 local municipalities
visits to group housing services and
daily activities service for persons with severe intellectual disabilities. Association
"Latvian Movement for Independent living" is calling Ministry of Welfare to pay more attention to the fact,
that most local municipalities have very limited understanding about the high
quality community based social services!
|
08/10/2016. board of association "Latvian Movement for
Independent living" met with the Minister
for Welfare J.Reirs . During the meeting, the association presented to the
Minister its activities especially stressing the quality of life assessments in
long term care institutions. During the meeting were discussed different advocacy
aspects, with particular emphasis on the right to live in the community, situation
in long-term social care and social rehabilitation services for people with
mental disorders and deinstitutionalisation process which has started in Latvia.
In conclusion of the meeting the parties agreed on the continuation of active
and professional cooperation.
|
On 29 July 2016 representatives of Daugavpils City Council and
Daugavpils District Council together
with the Ministry of Welfare specialists visited day care center for people with severe and
profound mental disabilities provided by the association "Latvian Movement
for Independent living" in Riga. The visit was organized by Ministry of Welfare
of the Republic of Latvia in close cooperation with association "Latvian Movement for
Independent living" . Taking into account the situation that Daugavpils
municipality strongly regret the closing of long term care institution “Kalkuni”
in Latgale region, purpose of visit was
to help Daugavpils municipality representatives draw ideas for community-based
services development as well as raise awareness of local government
representatives what are high quality community-based services and to stress the
rights of people with severe disabilities to live a full life in the community,
regardless of the type of functional disorders.
|
On May 30, 2016, chairperson
of the association "Latvian Movement for Independent living" (LATMIL)
met with the Latvian Association of Local Governments advisor on health and
social issues I.Rudzīte. During the meeting, LATMIL presented the association's
day-care center services for people with severe and profound mental
disabilities and the innovative methods used in daily work of the center. The both
sides also discussed most actual issues regarding deinstitutionalization process stated in
Latvia and as well as future cooperation opportunities.
|
Referring to the Riga
City Council Welfare Department's kind request, chairperson of the association
"Latvian Movement for Independent living" I.Šķestere on 27 May 2016 took
part in Riga municipality social work annual conference "Riga Municipality
social work current events" with a presentation “New day care center
service for people with severe and deep mental as well as complex functional
disorders - working methods, tactics and challenges. " The conference was
attended by more than 430 participants from 18 Latvian cities. During the
presentation it was highlighted by I.Šķestere the day-care center strong focus
on the client's ability to development and meaningful daily activities ensuring
customers.
|
|
