Independent Living Institute

In German

Legal and financial basis

The legal basis for the Austrian long-term care benefit is the Federal Act for long-term care benefit that was introduced in 1993. The expressed purpose of this legislation is as follows: “The long-term care benefit aims at compensating additional expenditure due to long-term care in the form of a flat-rate cash benefit to ensure as far as possible necessary attendance and support for persons with need for care and to improve their possibility to live an independent life according to their needs.” (§1)

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Contents

Introduction
Beginnings
Family Life
Polio
Post-Polio
East and West of the San Francisco Bay
Berkeley
Coming Into Her Own
Two Lives--Two Homes
Legacies
Footnotes

Zona Roberts: Twentieth Century Pioneer Woman

by Susanne Berg, Independent Living Institute

Let me start by thanking you all for inviting me here today.

During the last two decades of my life I have had assistance with almost all of the everyday activities “common man” does without thinking. I have spent months in hospital and rehabilitation units. I have lived in a flat connected to a service central allowing me some modicum of privacy and integrity. I have had the doubtful privilege of meeting the fifty or so personal of the “night patrol” taking turns to visit me. And since 1994 I have had personal assistance through direct payments.

by Raffaello Belli, 2003-03,
Presented at the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) conference in Southampton, England, 7-9 March 2003

(Another presentation at the conference: Rajkov, Gordana. 2003. "Inependent Living and Yugoslav Experience.")

Negative attitudes

There had been many negative attitudes towards direct payments in Italy. One of the reasons is attributed to the opposition of powerful organizations who run big institutions. Furthermore many people expect the authorities to solve any of their problems.

Colin Barnes
Professor of Disability Studies
Centre for Disability Studies
Department of Sociology and Social Policy
The University of Leeds
Leeds
LS2 9JT
England

(Statement presented to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Conference ‘Transforming Disability Into Ability’, March 6th 2003.)

In Italian | In Spanish

We, four hundred participants from many European countries gathered at the 1st European Congress on Independent Living, held in Tenerife in the framework of the 2003 European Year for Disabled People, urge that the Canary Islands’ and Spanish Governments take the lead in advocating for the implementation of this Declaration in European Union policy, specifically in the work for the upcoming Non Discrimination Directive on Disability, and the European Action Plan on Disability.

Principles of Independent Living

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Contents

by Karen Stone

På svenska

Born and raised in San Francisco, Karen Stone, now 53, studied photography, and later obtained a B.A. in Communications from Antioch College. She then worked as a professional photographer for over twelve years in California. Later, upon entering the marketing field, Ms. Stone made use of her photography, writing, and business skills. After relocating to Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA), she worked in marketing architectural/engineering services until slowed down by Multiple Sclerosis.