In selecting examples of good practice in your country - such as projects,
policies, activities - please keep the criteria below in mind:
Relevance for target groups
The example entails important improvements for both groups, people with disabilities
and older people. Both groups can benefit from spreading the example.
Improvements in quality of life
The example considerably improves one or several basic aspects of one’s
every-day life such as housing, assistance with the activities of daily life,
transportation, communications.
Transferability
Did the example come about due to a very unique combination of circumstances?
To what degree would a replication of the example in other social, economic
and political environments require similar conditions? The fewer the necessary
conditions, the better. The more common the necessary conditions, the better.
Self-determination and freedom of choice
The example provides user’s with more acceptable alternatives, promotes
self-determination and independence in every-day life, and improves the individual’s
abilities to take charge of one’s life.
Inclusion
The example follows Universal Design principles and enables the individual
to share, to the largest extent possible, the solutions used by the general
public as opposed to special solutions made exclusively for disabled or
older users - a practice which tends to stigmatize.
Citizenship, equal opportunities and full participation in society
The example promotes the target groups’ equalization of opportunities
within family, school, work, the life of the community, and provides the
requirements for more personal and political power.
Improved self-image and image in society
The example leads to better self-acceptance among users and contributes to
a better image of the target groups in society.
Existence
The example has left the planning stage and is implemented and in operation.
Innovation
The example represents a new and different approach compared with earlier
solutions
Quantitative impact
How many persons’ lives have been affected by the example? The more,
the better.
Visibility
The example’s relevance and nature is easily and intuitively understood
and remembered by disabled and older persons as well as the general public.
Also, the example lends itself well to media coverage.
Support
The example enjoys popularity and is supported by its users, the disability
community and the public. There would be considerable resistance to attempts
to discontinue it.
Existing evaluations
Ideally, the example has already been evaluated by an independent research
team and its costs and benefits are known.
Please feel free to contact the coordinators, if the criteria are not clear or if you would like some help in the decision.
November 2002