Framework

ODecree-Law No. 129/2017, on 9 October, approved the ‘Model Support for Independent Living’ (MAVI) programme, which aims to contribute to the realisation of the right of persons with disabilities to live independently.

The MAVI program is based on the provision of personal assistance to people with disabilities or disabilities, through Independent Life Support Centers, CAVI, for the performance of activities of daily living and mediation in diverse contexts that, due to the limitations arising from their interaction with the conditions of the environment, they cannot perform by themselves.

MAVI is a basic instrument to guarantee people with disabilities or disabilities access conditions for the exercise of their citizenship rights, and for participation in the various contexts of life, on an equal basis with other citizens.

The institution of this program represents a paradigm shift in public policies for the inclusion of people with disabilities, since it seeks to reverse the trend of institutionalization and family dependence.

Decree-Law No 129/2017 of 9 October 2017 is based on the assumption that there is no duplication of public support provided to persons with disabilities, namely between residential-type responses and MAVI. However, the Government subsequently considered that the right to opt for an independent living project should be ensured by providing personal assistance rather than residential support.

As such, Decree-Law No 27/2019 of 14 February 2019 allowed an adaptation regime, in which the person with disabilities now benefits from a six-month transition period, which allows him to move from a residential support context to the use of personal assistance.

This model materializes through the creation of Independent Life Support Centres (CAVI), which are the structures responsible for providing personal assistance to people with disabilities (Article 20(1) of Decree-Law No 129/2017 of 9 October 2017).

With a view to operationalising the "Model for Supporting Independent Living" programme, the Governing Board of the INR, I.P., within the scope of the competences assigned, approved by decision and provides, as instruments for the exercise of the activity of personal assistance:

Legislative framework