- Country
- Greece
- Scope of application
- Personal autonomy
- Type of organisation
- Public administration
- Organisation responsible
- Greek Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs
Greece has introduced an innovative, user-directed support service for persons with disabilities: the Personal Assistant Pilot Programme, which was enacted with Law 4837/2021.
Although this initiative is primarily associated with independent living, it also enhances access (not in terms of modifying the built environment), by enabling individuals to reach services, spaces, and opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.
The programme promotes access to transport, education, training, lifelong learning, employment, healthcare, cultural life, and public services by removing the existing barriers that prevent the autonomy and participation of persons with disabilities in society. Moreover, it provides human support to facilitate access, complementing (but not replacing) the already existing physical and digital accessibility measures. As a result, the beneficiaries can thus engage equally in all parts of life, with greater freedom and self-determination.
The implementation of the pilot programme has been divided into two phases. The first phase targeted persons with disabilities residing in the Attica Region, while the second phase expanded to all regions of the country.
Key features of the programme include user control since persons with disabilities can choose and manage their own personal assistant(s).
The pilot programme is offered free of charge, with public funding provided through the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the National Public Investment Program (Greece 2.0, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, financed by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU). Important to note, the pilot programme does not replace existing benefits. Instead, it complements them. Also, it is fully aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), specifically supporting access to services and facilities (Article 9) as well as the right to independent living and community inclusion (Article 19).
During the pilot programme, the beneficiaries are assessed by specialised interdisciplinary committees. This individualised assessment takes into account their disability and functionality, as well as their social characteristics and their daily life routine. Based on the committee's decision, a specific number of hours is given to each beneficiary. Then the beneficiaries have access to the Personal Assistant Registry, through which they can choose their own assistant(s).
After the completion and the assessment of the pilot programme, a nationwide implementation is expected.
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