Dr. Adolf Ratzka, chair of the Swedish Association ”Law as a Tool for Social Change”

 I am here in this panel as the chairperson of the Swedish member association Law as a Tool for Social Change (”Med lagen som verktyg”). Our mission is to raise awareness of our group’s human and civil rights, and to increase our capacity in defending these rights against businesses and government agencies - if necessary in court. Thus, in this panel, my perpective is from the grass-roots level.

Annual Report 2017

Independent Living Institute (ILI) works to promote opportunities for disabled people to more personal and political power, self-determination, full participation and equality through information, education, impact work and project activities.

During 2017 ILI worked through several projects to reach its goals and visions described in this document. All the projects have their own webpage, facebook page and disseminate newsletters.

CONFERENCE — May 30, 9 am — 5 pm

ÅRSBERÄTTELSE 2016

Independent Living Institute (ILI) arbetar för att främja möjligheterna för människor med funktionsnedsättning till mer personlig och politisk makt, självbestämmande, full delaktighet och jämlikhet genom information, utbildning, opinionsbildning och projektverksamhet.

Sebastian Häregård, 14, was illegally discriminated against in his school Nästegårdsskolan in Vara municipality, Sweden. The municipality had failed to take measures for accessibility that are required. Deficient ramps and heavy doors which had not been rectified was sufficient to conclude that Sebastian had not been put in a comparable situation to pupils without his impairment.

The Discrimination Ombudsman (DO) sued the municipality for illegal discrimination in the form of deficient accessibility (Discrimination act 2008:567, 1:4 3p.). The Skaraborg District Court judgment was delivered on May 24 2017 (case no T-2447-16), establishing that the municipality is obliged to pay 30 000 SEK to Sebastian as compensation for discrimination. 

Adolf Ratzka wins ULOBA's 2017 Pride Award at the annual ULOBA Pride Parade in Oslo on June 17. ULOBA's general director Vibeke Maröy Melström had this to say about the jury's decision

This year’s winner of the Pride Award has been one of Europe’s leading activists in the fight for equality for disabled people for nearly five centuries.

The award winner defines Independent Living as us having the rights, choices and control over our own lives which others often take for granted.

Project name:
Disabled Refugees Welcome

Nyligen inföll Sveriges nationaldag och många besökte det Kungliga slottet i Gamla stan i Stockholm, kanske vår allra främsta nationalklenod. Men är alla välkomna?

Förutom svenska medborgare fylls slottet dagligen av tusentals turister som här får en bild av Sverige och då även hur pass tillgängliga landets byggnader är. Kanske får utländska gäster själva uppleva att de inte kan ta sig fram på slottet. För hur tillgängligt är egentligen Kungliga slottet?

ANNUAL REPORT 2015

The Independent Living Institute (ILI) promotes opportunities for people with disabilities for more personal and political power, self-determination, full participation and equality through information, education, advocacy and projects.

Projects

Personal Assistance Tips

The three-year project, with financial support from the Inheritance Fund (Arvsfonden), started in January 2013 and ended in December 2015, yet its activities will continue and develop further.

Interviews and Profiles

For newer videos please visit ratzka.se where Adolf Ratzka has a collection of newer material 

2009  Interview with Adolf Ratzka during ENIL's Strasbourg Freedom Drive by Dr. Paul Durke

Adolf Ratzka reflects on the slow progress disabled people have been making during the last decades, the strong powers behind institutionalization, and describes how the Swedish Independent Living Movement introduced direct payments for personal assistance.

In Germany people must pay for personal assistance themselves, until their income and assets are almost exhausted, unless they have insurance cover.  “You can have a maximum of 2600 Euros in assets and retain from your income each month 800 Euros plus enough money to pay your rent.” says Corina Zolle, who has employed her own personal assistants for 20 years. “Compared with Germany, Sweden is a paradise.” She adds.

Independent Living Institute  Årsberättelse 2014

Independent Living Institute (ILI) arbetar för att främja möjligheterna för människor med funktionshinder till mer personlig och politisk makt, självbestämmande, full delaktighet och jämlikhet genom information, utbildning, opinionsbildning och projektverksamhet.

Projektverksamhet