Conclusions

This analysis presents best practice for policy on supporting independent living. It will contribute to CRPD implementation and help secure options for independent living, including for persons with very high levels of assistance need.

Furthermore, with regard to accessibility in service provision, the Civitta Ltd. study commissioned in 2021 and presented in 2022 will improve decision-making. Policy recommendations for the Accessibility Task Force implemented from 2019 to 2021 served as the background for the present analysis. The policy recommendations of the Accessibility Task Force are currently being implemented, with priorities set for next few years and some implementation success stories already appearing.

The author of the present analysis has been involved in the civil society movement for people with disabilities in Estonian since 2000 and was then employed by the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs – with responsibility for implementing the Accessibility Task Force’s policy recommendations by the end of October 2022 – before becoming an active part of civil society again. This varied background and experience in both the public sector and civil society was helpful for accessing data and individuals working with the described services.

Despite the challenging societal situation of rising prices and the unstable international political situation, steps towards a better society can be taken based on the information mapped by this study.

The author wishes to thank stakeholders at the Ministry of Social Affairs, partners working to improving accessibility and the level of service provision, and the individuals who were interviewed.