Rapporteurs: Prof Linda Ward and Dr Ruth Townsley (University of
Bristol)
As a result of ANED's 2008 work programme, practical support for
independent living was identified as a key topic for review in 2009. Independent
living has been a key concern for the disabled people's movement, alongside
concern about progress in European countries in moving away from institutional
care provision towards effective support for community living. Many of the most
innovative policy models (including personal assistance schemes, personal
budgets, peer support and Centres for Independent Living) have been pioneered
within that movement.
During 2009, ANED reviewed and evaluated national policy developments in
comparative perspective, to understand the state-of-the-art, and to learn
lessons from good practice. The synthesis
report outlines the research and policy context but its main purpose is to
show where, and to what extent, the practice matches up to the independent
living philosophy.
