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The theoretical framework of this study is the human rights based approach. The main aim of the study is to analyze the circumstances and reasons that led to the separation of disabled children from their families and their placement in institutions. Furthermore, conditions in several institutions will be presented. The project was conducted from October 2012 to January 2013 by researchers from the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, and the Department of Social Work at the Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb in cooperation with the UNICEF Office for Croatia, the Ministry of Social Policy and Youth, Ministry of Science, Education and Sports and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Croatian. Research took place in the cities of Rijeka, Kraljevica, Lovran, Pula, Split, Šibenik, Kaštel, Sv. Filip i Jakov, Osijek, Vinkovci, Daruvar, Čakovec, Budinšćina, Gornja Bistra and Zagreb. Data about 180 children with disabilities (intellectual, multiple, autism spectrum disorder etc.) in permanent placement in 24 institutions in Croatia were collected and analyzed using quantitative research methods. For that purpose, children documentation was analyzed (Protocol for Document Analysis) and two questionnaires (General Data Questionnaire GDQ, Quality of Support for the Children in Institutions SDQ) for experts who work directly with children were developed and administered. Results will present general information about children with disabilities placed in institutions (number, age, types of disabilities, family background), information about placement (duration, distance from home, transfer) and information about institutions (conditions). Quantitative results will be illustrated by examples. Some of the results showed that mean age of children is 12, the majority of children (63%) have multiple disabilities, more than half (66.3%) have low social and economic status, the mean duration of placement is 4 years, 30% of children were placed in institutions more than 150 kilometers from home. Obtained results help us to gain insight into the position of children with disabilities who live in institutions. Those findings could be a basis for policy and programs’ advocacy towards full protection of CWD rights and towards providing support to deinstitutionalization. |
