Independent Living in Post-Socialist Countries

This article considers how, as a result of the persistence familialism and paternalism, legislative changes made in some Central Eastern European countries (CEE), all which have ratified UN CRPD, mainly aim to: (a) incorporate work relatives home care people with long-term disabilities (b) place who previously lived large welfare institutions into smaller facilities (either residential units for at least 25 persons or group homes). None these enables radical shift toward independent living, conversely, living philosophy way life is not yet real alternative to family-based paternalistic provision CEE. By extension, social model disability, promotes dignity, respect, self-determination improve lives disabilities, remains an ‘alternative’ ‘radical thinking’ rather than being mainstream.