The European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) has published a report highlighting Som – Fundació’s legal capacity support model as a best practice in service provision. This recognition motivates and encourages us to continue working to ensure the autonomy and decision-making rights of people with intellectual disabilities.
The report was published this March and compiles various innovative initiatives from different European countries. These practices promote autonomous decision-making and emphasize the importance of shifting from substitute decision-making to a support system tailored to each individual.
What does the EASPD report say?
This collection of best practices highlights initiatives carried out by various organizations across Europe in providing legal capacity support services, in line with Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Som – Fundació is featured as a key example, thanks to our method of assessing complexity factors and personalizing support. This methodology allows us to determine the level of support each person needs to exercise their right to decide autonomously and with the necessary safeguards.
The impact of our model
At Som – Fundació, we work with individualized support plans tailored to each person’s needs and preferences. We assess factors such as cognitive difficulties, economic situation, natural support networks, and mental health to ensure that support is both appropriate and effective.
This approach helps improve people’s quality of life, fosters their autonomy, and strengthens their self-determination. Thanks to this methodology, individuals take part in decision-making on key aspects of their lives, such as financial management, health, or independent living.
A recognition that drives us to keep working
The fact that a leading European organization like EASPD has recognized our approach to decision-making support as a model to follow motivates us to continue working to provide the best possible service. This recognition not only validates the work done so far but also encourages us to continue sharing knowledge and experiences with other organizations to drive real change in how legal capacity is ensured for people with disabilities.