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.

Key findings were presented from the draft synthesis report on independent living (published beginning of 2010) prepared by Dr. Ruth Townsley and Prof. Linda Ward:

Powerpoint (pdf 219 kB) Handout (pdf 122 kB)

The report reviewed national frameworks, policies and practices around independent living in 26 European countries,  based on information prepared by ANED members.

During 2009 ANED country teams prepared country reports on the development and state-of-the-art in policies and practices to support independent living for disabled people.

This is a rapidly developing field in which there are difficult debates about the role and responsibility of the individual, the state and service providers within a ‘mixed economy' or market for support and long term care.