SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 13 June. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The initiative ‘My house: a life in community’ by Plena Inclusion Canarias has unveiled five residences in Tenerife and two in La Palma to assist in the growth and independence of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The primary goal of this project, whose outcomes were disclosed during a conference at the Government headquarters, is to establish community housing models and contribute to the enhancement of public policies concerning deinstitutionalization.
Launched in 2022, the project has welcomed 41 individuals with intellectual disabilities in the residences, along with an additional 20 at day centres.
Fernando Clavijo, the President of the Canary Islands, highlighted that deinstitutionalization is a joint aspiration of the Government and social organizations to reinstate autonomy, freedom of choice, and control to individuals over their lives, including their right to make decisions regarding how, where, and with whom they wish to reside.
The President emphasized the significance of initiatives that facilitate individuals with disabilities in regaining autonomy and independence while ensuring all necessary guarantees, such as Plena Inclusion, Probosco, Orobal Parents Association, and Fundación Canaria Taburiente.
Dulce Gutiérrez, the General Director of Disability, emphasized “the necessity for solutions like the Canary Islands Full Inclusion project to offer alternatives to institutionalizing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
“The challenge for public authorities is to introduce a new care model where each person has the freedom to choose how and with whom they wish to reside,” as mentioned in a statement released by the Government.
Plena Inclusion, Plena Inclusion Canarias, and collaborating entities like Probosco, Association of Orobal Parents, and Fundación Canaria Taburiente Especial have spearheaded this innovative project. The project focuses on “reinstating the dignity of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities whose rights have been violated, and who have had limited opportunities to live autonomously within the community.”
Moreover, the project, in partnership with the Institute of Social and Socio-Health Care of the Cabildo of Tenerife and the Department of Social Action, Equality, Diversity, and Youth of the Cabildo of La Palma, “targets those with higher support requirements who are often compelled to reside in residential institutions.”
