Welcome to e-include, the e-journal of Inclusion Europe.

In Moldavia, a lot of people with intellectual disabilities live in institutions. A new law is trying to change that. The government used to spend a lot of money on these institutions. With the new law they will use that money to make sure people can live in their community.

The Moldavian government has approved a new regulation to redirect the financial resources from long stay institutions towards community-based programs and services. Regulation HG 351, jointly approved on June 8 by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour, is a step forward towards community living people with disabilities.

This  was achieved after years of advocacy effort by the Open Society Mental Health Initiative and Keystone Human Services International Moldova Association.

Due to poverty and lack of support, the number of children with disabilities abandoned in Moldova is very high. According to a 2005 UNICEF study, every day one child under the age of seven is abandoned in Moldova. Of these abandoned children, nine out of ten of these children living in healthcare facilities and residential institutions are not orphans but have living parents.

Moreover whether living in an institution or in the community, only a very small percentage (10-12%) of children with disabilities receives any services social services.

The Moldovan government is seeking to change the situation with this new legislation. Regulation HG 351 will provide financial support for community-based services like personal assistants, mobile teams, family support centres, and educational support services.  It will also provide housing in the community. All of this will be financed with the funds that used to be destined to operate and maintain institutions.

The funding will be calculated depending on an per capita basis and will be distributed locally after being sent from the central government.

This new regulation shall improve the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities by including them in the community and allowing them to choose where they live. It is a step forward towards the realisation of the rights of persons with disabilities.

Source: Open Society Foundations