Simona lived in an institution in Romania for 34 years, where she endured poor living conditions and unnecessary restrictions. Three years ago, Simona moved into a regular house in the town of Mihailesti.
She now has friends, a job, the ability to make her own decisions about her life—freedom, in a word.
If the EU does not act now to implement Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities — which mandates the right of people with disabilities to live independently and be included in the community — the freedom Simona and that of hundreds of thousands of others with disabilities will remain out of reach — meaning they'll stay confined to institutions.