1. Self-advocates partners in building an inclusive society Damjan Janjušević Life in the Community 1. – 2. 11. 2011

2. THE HISTORY OF THE IDEA OF SELF ADVOCACY 1968 the roots of the movement of self advocacy in Sweden 1973 The first convention of the „mentally handicapped“ with the subject Can I have a choice 1974 People First founded in Salem (USA)

3. „We wanted to talk about what is happening in our lives“ „I am tired of being called retarded - we are people first“ October 1974 the first convention of People First was held People First today - more than 800 groups and 17,000 members in 43 countries

4. ASA VISION, MISSION AND GOALS Founded in Zagreb in October, 2003 Before that working in self advocacy groups Membership in Inclusion Europe and ECCL At the moment 35 members and 6 employees

5. VISION AND MISSION A society in which persons with intellectual disabilities are equal citizens Assemble persons with intellectual disabilities in a democratic and open organization Advocate for the equality of PID.

6. GOALS PID have control and make decisions All PID live in the community and have support for meaningful community living PID included in decision-making at a local and national level ASA the leader

7. THE CONCEPT OF SELF ADVOCACY ASA an independent organization of PID ASA does not deal with rehabilitation or teaching of PID PID have the right to assemble and associate just like all other citizens

8. THE CONCEPT OF SELF ADVOCACY Self advocates have the right to get information and support in advocating their interests Self advocation is open to everyone ASA is run by self advocates and belongs to self advocates

9. HUMAN RIGHTS OF PID Citizens and nationals - basic status of every person Establishing the diagnosis of ID Separation - special kindergarten classes, special schools, special workplaces, special places to live

10. HUMAN RIGHTS OF PID - INSTITUTIONS Threatened freedom of movement Freedom to communicate Privacy Having relationships or making a family Inability to choose food, clothes, shoes

11. HUMAN RIGHTS OF PID - EDUCATION Impossibility to choose schools Separation from children without disabilities Poor quality and level of knowledge Impossibility to choose occupation or profession, lifelong learning, ect

12. HUMAN RIGHTS OF PID - EMPLOYMENT Impossibility of employment in open labour market Working in sheltered workshops Working in institutions Unpaid or poorly paid work

13. HUMAN RIGHTS OF PID Eliminating perspective Impossibility of planning Impossibility to improve one's position in an institution, but also in the community The message: obedience is better than personal advocating

14. HUMAN RIGHTS OF PID The need for radical changes in the society's treatment of PID Necessary to reconsider their status and position in the society Existence of two parallel worlds or societies

15. HUMAN RIGHTS OF PID - CARE Care based on the principle of compassion or charity, not protection of human rights Question: can PID ask for more and better than institution, special schools or sheltered workshops?

16. HUMAN RIGHTS OF PID - PROTECTION Protection based on the assumption of complete incompetence Primacy of the principle of ensuring complete protection above the principle of respecting human rights Deprivation of legal capacity Impossibility to influence one's own life

17. HUMAN RIGHTS OF PID - NEW VIEWS The concept of human rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights The duty to develop and protect human rights Restricting human rights must not be arbitrary

18. HUMAN RIGHTS OF PID - NEW VIEWS Universality Expansion Possibility of protection from the court- enforceability

19. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SELF ADVOCACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS Self advocacy means: Human rights protection Possibility to associate, of free speech, to be informed and exchange ideas Possibility for joint action

20. QUESTIONS How to ensure the involvement of PID in the decision making processes? How to ensure a balance of risk between need for legal protection and right to decide about their life? How to build a society in which PID will have a perspective outside the social care system?

21. Thank you for your attention. Damjan Janjušević damjan@samozastupanje.hr Tel. + 385 www.trass.cz www.facebook.com/trass.cz