WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN FOSTER CARE? PERSPECTIVES OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND PROFESSIONALS

The process of deinstitutionalization of persons with disabilities in Croatia promotes and protects their human rights and includes their full integration in the community. One of the presumptions is that their quality of life will be improved in a community-based system of care. Life in foster care should provide persons with disabilities with an opportunity to occupy valued social roles in our society, to live independently and to manage everyday tasks with little or no help by relying on their own abilities. The aim of this qualitative study of the life in foster care is to gain insight into experiences of violation or protection of human rights of persons with disabilities. The participants in this study are persons with intellectual or psychiatric disabilities, and social welfare professionals. The results have indicated various forms of human rights violation. The participants reported experiencing violation of human dignity and their inability to participate fully in everyday life. Their community lives are restricted ; they are unable to gain access to information, adequate health care and to achieve an acceptable standard of living. The lack of standards in foster care also results in violation of human rights of persons with disabilities. The results of promotion and protection of human rights of foster care users with disabilities show respect for their dignity and autonomy, freedom to make their own choices and decisions, their effective participation and inclusion in the community, different aspects of independent living, and adequate standards of living. The main conclusion is that protection or violation of human rights of foster care users with disabilities depends mostly on attitudes and support of foster caregivers, their knowledge and intrinsic motivation to provide a home for people with disabilities. Protection or violation of human rights also depends on knowledge and awareness of foster care users, their opportunities and resources in the local community. It must be pointed out that formal support from social welfare professionals is also very important in the field of protection of human rights of people with disabilities living in foster care.