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It is with great pleasure that I am here today to inaugurate the launch of the independent living support services programme, which will be implemented by the NGO "Voice for Autism"
In Cyprus the institution of the family remains strong and as a result the majority of people with disabilities live at home. However, following a study carried out by the Department of Social Integration of People with Disabilities of the Ministry of Social Welfare, young people with intellectual disabilities or autism were found to be living either in institutional care, in sheltered housing or in insufficiently supportive environments. The need was therefore identified for the operation of housing and support programmes for independent living with the integration of high-risk individuals in order to avoid institutionalisation and social exclusion.
Thus, the Council of Ministers with its decisions in September 2017 approved and then in April 2020 upgraded the Plan for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities in Supported Living Homes, with the implementation of the project "Creation of Homes/Supported Living Programmes" co-financed by 60% by the European Social Fund+ under the Thaleia 2021-2027 programme with a total budget of 20 million euros.
As a result of the implementation of this project, 9 houses and 7 individual programs of independent living support services are in operation, serving 51 people with disabilities. The operation of the residences/programmes have been contracted to Contractors through public tenders.
Today we are delighted to add 1 additional residence that will currently serve 3 people and a second one is in the pipeline. The number of these residences is expected to increase again soon, as the Department of Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities is in the process of evaluating tenders for the implementation of additional programmes.
It is noteworthy that persons are served by their own choice and at their own request and have access to care, support, education, rehabilitation, rehabilitation, accompaniment, creative employment, recreation, communication and other social integration services. Independent living support services aim to empower people with disabilities to take control of their own lifestyles and to access these services according to their individual needs, capacities and free choices. The project is being implemented with the primary and key objective of enabling our fellow citizens with disabilities to have their own home, in which they can live in safety, dignity and quality of life, enjoying independent living support services, without the risk of isolation and exclusion.
One such project is the one we are launching today, which has been awarded through a tender to the non-governmental organisation "Voice for Autism" which is successfully active in providing support to people with autism.
One such project is the one we are launching today, which has been awarded through a tender to the non-governmental organisation "Voice for Autism" which is successfully active in providing support to people with autism. The organisation was founded by a group of volunteers including mothers of adults with autism and professionals in the fields of special education, human rights and voluntary action. The aim of the organisation is to ensure basic human rights and to give a voice to young adults with disabilities.
I assure you that the Nicos Christodoulides Government has placed issues concerning people with disabilities high on its priorities. In this direction is the recent decision of the Council of Ministers to purchase 5 houses, which will be erected by the COAG, purchased by the Department of Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities and the service delivery programme will be awarded to private sector contractors through a public tender. This project will be fully funded through the Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021-2026, with a budget of EUR 2.4 million. These residences will meet the needs and wishes of the beneficiary adults with disabilities and will be made available as 24-hour care accommodation for the design and operation of independent living support services programmes.
As the Government, and in particular the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, we recognise the growing needs and our aim is to create more such 24-hour care facilities, while reassuring the concern of every parent of a person with a disability about the future of their child after adulthood.
At this point I would also like to refer to the National Autism Strategy, through which we wish to address holistically all issues concerning these individuals.
At this point I would like to refer to the National Autism Strategy, through which we wish to address holistically all issues concerning these individuals. The aim of this National Strategy, in which Voice for Autism participates, is to meet the full range of needs of people with autism, including early diagnosis and provision of appropriate support for full social participation, avoiding institutionalisation, from pre-school age and throughout their lives.
I assure you that the State Ministry of Social Welfare will continue to stand by your side, so that through synergies we can achieve a better quality of life for all people on the autism spectrum and more broadly for all those who need our support, for an inclusive society without social exclusion.
Thank you.
TH/IS
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