Independent Living Institute

Ms Katz is Director, Division of Disability and Aging, Office of Disability, Aging, and Long-Term Care Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S.. Department of Health and Human Services.

The following is an article from American Rehabilitation Volume 24, Number 4 Winter 1998 Personal Assistance Services Part 2 of 2.
American Rehabilitation is the official publication of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) 330 C Street S.W. Washington D.C. 20202-2531

Internet browsers with computer-generated speech and smarter wheelchairs and canes are just some of the innovations making it easier for people with disabilities to interact with the world.

Imagine being able to type simply by looking at the letters on a keyboard. Or being able to hear the Internet "spoken" by a Web browser.

For most people, such innovations could make life more convenient. But for people with disabilities, they could change the way they live.

by Bob Kafka, 1999

Imagine you have a stroke, your child has a car wreck or your newborn has physical and/or mental disabilities. What do you do? Where do you go? What kind of services are available?

Accessing community-based services for the growing number of people with disabilities, older Americans and their families is one of the most critical issues facing this country.

The current public system of support services was designed more than 30 years ago based on a medical model of service that held that people with disabilities, regardless of their age, should receive services in nursing homes or some other congregate institution.

Presentation at the Munich Disability Policy Meeting, November 13, 1995

by Dr. Andreas Jürgens,
legal counsel to ISL, e.V. (Interessenvertretung "Selbstbestimmt Leben" Deutschland e. V. - ISL)

PROGRESS REPORT 1994-1995

Lange Jahre war eine Pflegeversicherung ein umkämpftes, ein strittiges Thema. Unbenommen war von allen Seiten immer zu hören, daß es nötig sei, das Pflegefallrisiko abzusichern. Es sollte nicht mehr wie früher dazu kommen, daß Menschen durch einen Unfall zum "Sozialfall" würden, daß deren Familien von den Sozialämtern unter Druck gesetzt werden, erhebliche Teile ihres Familieneinkommens zur Versorgung des Pflegebedürftigen auszugeben. Zum Beispiel haben die Sozialämter den Angehörigen eines in einem Heim lebenden Schwerstbehinderten vorgeschrieben, wieviel sie für ihr Auto bei einem Neukauf ausgeben dürfen - damit nicht zuviel des Geldes den Klauen der Ämter abhanden kommt, um für den Heimplatz genommen zu werden. Aber geeinigt haben sich die politischen Matadore nicht.

This documentation is courtesy the International Labour Organisation.

Recommendation
Description: (Recommendation)
RECOMMENDATION: R168
PLACE:Geneva
CONFERENCE_SESSION:69
ADOPTION=20:06:1983

The General Conference of the International Labour Organisation,

Having been convened at Geneva by the Governing Body of the International Labour Office and having met in its Sixty-ninth Session on 1 June 1983, and

Noting the existing international standards contained in the Vocational Rehabilitation (Disabled) Recommendation, 1955, and

This documentation is courtesy the International Labour Organisation.

Convention concerning Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons)
(Note: Date of coming into force: 20:06:1985.)

Description:     (Convention)
CONVENTION:     C159
PLACE:     Geneva
CONFERENCE_SESSION:     69
ADOPTION:     20:06:1983

The General Conference of the International Labour Organisation,

Having been convened at Geneva by the Governing Body of the International Labour Office and having met in its Sixty-ninth Session on 1 June 1983, and

The first global meeting on Independent Living was convened in Washington DC September 21-25, 1999. Over 100 leaders evaluated the movement's 30 year old history and set the agenda for the future. 

Conference reports and reflections

The Independent Living Institute invites the conference organizers and participants to publish / link to their conference reports or to share their impressions and comments in their respective languages.

"Legislation for Human Rights"

Stockholm, Sweden, 24 August 1998

by Judith C. Heumann, State Secretary

Twenty-five years ago I was very excited about many of the programs in Sweden that were providing basic assistance for disabled people thar enabled them to live more integrated in the community.