How far has the Independent Living Movement come and where are we going? The conference celebrated 25 years of the Independent Living movement in Sweden evaluated the achievements of our international civil rights movement in Sweden, Europe and other parts of the world and plan for tomorrow.
Together with Judy Heumann and Marilyn Golden, USA, Bente Skansgård, Norway, Kalle Könkkölä, Finland, Shoji Nakanishi, Japan, John Evans, UK, Horst Frehe, Germany, Jos Huys, Belgium, with representatives of the Swedish movement and with allies in administration, research and politics we discussed successful Independent Living strategies and examples of good practice in our respective countries and regions, looked back at our development and set the course for the future.
In plenary sessions and workshops we shared our experiences in working for de-institutionalization, personal assistance, legislation for non-discrimination and accessibility, and for spreading the Independent Living philosophy and approach to other countries. Have we been able to influence social policy, have we had an impact on society’s and our own view of disabled people, has our work led to concrete improvements in our group’s living conditions? How can we better support each other in our struggle for full citizenship, self-determination and self-respect?
The conference was intended for disabled people and their organizations, service providers, civil servants, politicians, researchers and the general public.
The event was organized by the Swedish Independent Living network.