Keystone Human Services International is pleased to organize the side event “Closing the Revolving Doors: A Lifespan Approach to Deinstitutionalization” during the 18^th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Panelists will discuss some of the critical issues, challenges and opportunities around deinstitutionalization for children and adults with disabilities and share success stories of partnerships that have led to sustainable care reform and community-based supports.

Institutionalization for children and adults with disabilities is a revolving door. Once someone enters an institution, there are few exit pathways, despite the affirmation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) of the right of all people with disabilities to live independently in and be part of the community.

A lifespan approach incorporating inclusive care reform, is required to transition away from institutions as the default form of care and achieve true community inclusion.

The side event will:

• Draw from a diversity of experiences particularly from Central and Eastern Europe and the Global South to highlight the need for a lifespan approach
• Highlight successful examples of transitioning away from institutions
• Collectively identify key action points to advance deinstitutionalization and operationalize Article 19
• Explore how deinstitutionalization and care reform play a key role in building family and community resilience, social cohesion, and sustainable development
• Identify ways in which deinstitutionalization principles can be embedded in the global discourse around the SDGs and post-2030 development agenda

The event is organized by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Moldova in New York, the Ministry of Labor & Social Protection, Government of Moldova, and Keystone Human Services International with co-hosts the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Government of UK; UNICEF; and Hope and Homes for Children. It will also feature speakers from the CRPD Committee and Inclusion International.

This in-person event will also be streamed live on UN Web TV. Please note that a direct link to the side event will be shared closer to the event.

More details about the side event are available through the UN’s COSP website.