Life and health rights for italy's disabled without caregivers

Abstract

Background: Individuals with severe disabilities face significant challenges when left without parental or familial support. Italian Law 112 of 2016, commonly referred to as the "After Us" law, was introduced to address these issues by ensuring long-term care and economic security for disabled individuals. Eight years after its enactment, there is a need to assess the law's effectiveness and whether the allocated resources meet the needs of the intended beneficiaries.

Methods: This study provides a detailed examination of the "After Us" law, focusing on key protective measures designed to prevent the institutionalization of disabled individuals and support independent living. The analysis includes a review of co-housing options, accessible living facilities, and training programs aimed at fostering autonomy. Additionally, a thorough investigation into the law's application is conducted, incorporating an analysis of relevant decrees, state funding mechanisms, regional implementation strategies, and the financial audit conducted by the Court of Auditors.

Results: The analysis reveals both the strengths and limitations of the "After Us" law. While the law provides essential protective measures, such as housing options and independent living support, regional disparities in implementation and varying levels of state funding have affected its overall impact. Furthermore, the financial review suggests that the allocated funds may not be sufficient to ensure the law's full and equitable application across Italy.

Conclusions: The study underscores the importance of consistent and comprehensive social policies in safeguarding the welfare of individuals with severe disabilities. While the "After Us" law represents a significant step forward, uniform implementation across Italy remains a challenge. Additionally, comparisons with similar regulations in other European countries suggest that further improvements are necessary to ensure long-term care and economic security for disabled individuals throughout the European Union.

Keywords: co-housing; disability; european conventions; funding; social protection.