Projects

In this project we work together with Tamás Verdes (TASZ/HCLU) who is an expert on services for disabled people. BI experts Ágota Scharle and Balázs Váradi contribute by estimating the costs of a potential reform of current services in Hungary and conducting a stake-holder analysis.

The project reviews the current system of provisions for mentally disabled or autistic people in Hungary, assesses its impact on social integration and human rights and outlines some recommendations for improving the system. The review covers employment subsidies, services to support community living, cash transfers, legal capacity, guardianship and housing. The reform of housing arrangements is given special attention. We describe the current practice of large institutions, review the arguments for deinstitutionalisation and map the financial and political factors that have hindered long overdue reforms in this area, despite the grave implications for human rights and the wellbeing of the inmates of such institutions in Hungary. We hope this review to provide a basis for discussions and consultations culminating in the formulation of a government reform strategy.