“In the institution, I was humiliated and ignored. In the community, I’m treated with respect and dignity,” said Diana Zgherea, an advocate from Moldova. “People with disabilities must collaborate with civil society organizations to advocate for deinstitutionalization. People with intellectual disabilities have the right to live independently and be included in the community. We are committed to change public attitudes toward people with disabilities.”

On June 12, 2019, Diana represented Keystone Moldova at the United Nations for a side event at the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The side event Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Institutions: Lived Experiences and Ways to Achieve Deinstitutionalization was organized by Inclusion International.

Advocates from around the world shared their personal stories about living in institutions and talked about their challenges and successes in leaving the institution to live in the community. The panel discussed government partnerships to develop alternatives to segregated, institutional care and how social inclusion leads to meaningful life in the community.

Keystone Human Services International was proud to co-sponsor this side event, along with the International Disability Alliance, Young Adult Institute, and the permanent missions of the Republic of Moldova and New Zealand. Diana joined panelists Tia Nelis, an advocate and Policy and Advocacy Director for TASH; Krista Carr, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Associate for Community Living; Robert Martin from the CRPD Committee, and Consuelo Senior, Assistant Coordinator Training from YAI.

“I hope my personal story empowers people with intellectual disability around the world to demand their rights,” said Diana.