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Description
DARE project addresses the service gap for 16.400 people with disabilities (PD) from the residential system who receive services not fully adapted to their priority needs. These respond to basic needs and less to the independent living of these persons. The cost of living for a PD in a state run institution is at least 14.000 RON/mo. If a PD desires to live independent in the community, the government'' support ends and the legislation obstructs finding alternative solutions which set barriers to deinstitutionalization. Project''s beneficiaries are PD who decide to take charge for their lives and build their future with specialized support for their needs. DARE is aligned with the objectives of the 2021 – 2027 National Strategy on the rights of PD and includes: streamlining the existing standards and legislation (OG 82/2019) for independent living in a protected environment; development of a new service – Supervised independent living in the community. DARE proposes a shift in the paradigm of PD based on empowerment which moves the focus from a life guided by bureaucratic institutions to one driven by resilience, responsibility and decision making in which PD take charge of their lives (pay rent, utilities, complete household activities, prepare food and organize their days in a responsible way). The main activities are: streamlining legislation through comparative analysis and social diagnosis, leveraging partners’ experiences, engagements with PD and liaison with decision makers; pilot the new service for 12 months to assess the impact of the supervised independent living component on the PD through social inclusion and equity lenses. The new service can provide a safety net for those people searching for autonomy and a life lived in the community. DARE also provides an opportunity to diversify organizational capacities through training, know-how transfer, coaching, enhanced leadership and advocacy in the benefit of people with disabilities.