First unanimous go-ahead from the Chamber to the delegation bill to the government on disability matters. The bill, consisting of 5 articles and linked to the implementation of reforms in the context of the NRP, is now being examined by the Senate and first of all provides for a delegation to the government for the reorganization of the provisions in force on disability. The main objective is to ensure a personalized and participatory life project aimed at allowing people with disabilities to be protagonists in their own lives and to achieve effective inclusion in society.
REGULATORY REORGANIZATION AND UNIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS
Among the innovations, in addition to the reorganization of the entire legislation on the subject (the government must adopt, within 20 months from the date of entry into force of the law, one or more legislative decrees for the revision and reorganization of the provisions in force on the subject of disability ), a revision of the basic evaluation processes is envisaged, unifying all the assessments concerning civil disability, civil blindness, civil deafness, deafblindness, handicap, including for educational purposes, the disability envisaged for the purpose of targeted placement and any other legislation in force regarding the assessment of disability. The aim is to ensure a homogeneous assessment throughout the national territory, and to implement, also for the purposes of deflation of legal disputes, a simplification and rationalization of the procedural and organizational aspects of the basic assessment process.
CUSTOMIZED PROJECT FOR AN INDEPENDENT LIFE
The bill also provides for a multidimensional assessment of disability, through a personalized project and in order to guarantee the individual an independent life. The requalification of public services in terms of inclusion and accessibility is also envisaged. The aim pursued is to guarantee the person with disabilities the recognition of their condition, also through an evaluation of the same congruent, transparent and easy, such as to allow the full exercise of their civil and social rights including the rights to independent life and full social and work inclusion, as well as effective and full access to the system of services, benefits, financial transfers provided and any other related facilitation, to promote the autonomy of the person with disabilities and their living on an equal opportunity basis with others, in compliance with the principles of self-determination and non-discrimination. The project identifies reasonable support and accommodations that guarantee the effective enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms, including the possibility of choosing, in the absence of discrimination, one’s place of residence and an adequate housing solution, also promoting the right to home care and social welfare support.
THE NATIONAL GUARANTOR AUTHORITY OF DISABILITIES IS BORN
The delegation provides for the establishment of a National Disability Guarantor for the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities, having an independent and collegial nature. Among the functions of the guarantor, to collect reports from people with disabilities who report discrimination or violations of their rights, also through the provision of a dedicated contact center; monitor the respect of rights and compliance with the rules and principles established by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Constitution, the laws of the State and regulations; carry out checks, ex officio or following a report, on the existence of discriminatory phenomena; formulate recommendations and opinions to the Administrations and public concessionaires concerned; promote a culture of respect for the rights of persons with disabilities through awareness and communication campaigns and positive action projects, in particular in educational institutions, in collaboration with the competent Administrations for the subject; finally, to transmit annually a report on the activity carried out to the Chambers, as well as to the President of the Council of Ministers or to the delegated political authority on disability matters.