An initiative to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities was launched today in Dublin.
Research published to coincide with the launch of the new National Advisory Group on Independent Living, today showed the disabled prefer living outside institutional or family care.
Extending the Boundarieswas compiled from interviews with people from 26 centres for independent living across the State, which were incepted in 1992.
It found that independent living provided opportunities that would otherwise not exist for the disabled. Quality of life issues such as social life; access to employment and education were enhanced by living independently, the report said.
Independent living entails access to transport, assistive technology, accessible housing and a good working relationship with a personal assistant (PA).
PAs are central to the concept and the report recommends they be provided with greater support.
It stresses that PAs are not care assistants and home helpers and acknowledges that their can be stressful and isolated. It notes that PAs often leave their position within two years and move into other areas of care where there is more social interaction.
Ann Marie Flanagan, spokeswoman for the advisory group said independent living is "defined as the right of all persons regardless of age, type or extent of disability to live in the community, with all the privileges that this entails.
"This is the preferred alternative, for the vast majority of people with disabilities, to living in institutions or having to live with their immediate family, which at one time were the only choices available."
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon O'Cuiv unveiled the research and the membership of the advisory group at a seminar at the National Disability Authority in Dublin.
The group is drawn from statutory and voluntary agencies and aims to direct a strategic approach to the further development of the independent living movement.
One of the problems the group will address is the disparity in service provision in different parts of the State.