Dr. Rosaleen McDonagh:

I will respond but also echo my colleague Adam’s input. If I get stuck, Adam might jump in. As with all matters concerning our lives as disabled people, legislative reform, policy development and service provision should be designed and delivered with the meaningful participation of us as disabled people. The deprivation of liberty is increased if one is a woman with a disability and also if one is from an ethnic minority. In saying that, as Adam stated, Articles 14 and 19 need to be on a continuum. Independent living opportunities based in the community that are properly resourced, including the provision of personal assistants, would prevent a lot of involuntary institutionalisation. We would also encourage the provision of resources for community-based services and for a statutory safeguarding body that is rights based and focused on adults as well as children.