After the confirmation by Spain regarding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD, approved in New York in December 2006 and confirmed by Spain in November 2007, and entered into force on May 3, 2008), the organisation has been adapting its activity in accordance with the new principles. With the publication in 2014 of the general comment no. 1 by CRPD on Article 12, regarding the equal recognition of the person with disabilities before the law, the organisation was prompted to review its activities.

CRPD, in order to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy dignity, individual autonomy, non-discrimination, full and effective contribution and inclusion in the society, respect for their differences, and equality of opportunities, forces all the ratifying states to cancel discriminatory provisions and fight against stereotypes and prejudices.

Being aware of this change of paradigm and the new approach introduced by CRPD, the organisation wants to play a decisive role in achieving its greater implementation. The organisation’s proven experience in the old guardianship service is the starting point for a full development of the support service for people in order to inspire confidence in the management of decisions and contributing to the generation of a more inclusive society, together with other social actors committed and aligned with human rights.

We at Support-Girona stand by the importance of independent living, which is an essential part of the autonomy and freedom of an individual. For persons with disabilities, being able to make, whether by themselves or with support, all the decisions that affect their lives, such as choosing where and with whom they want to live as well as determining their daily routine, personal relationships, clothing, nutrition, hygiene, healthcare, and all the activities pertaining to the religious, cultural, and sexual dimensions, is linked to the development of their identity and personality.

Therefore, we at Support-Girona support the idea of a life within the community, understood as all the places of social interaction and communicative relationships, such as having access to all of the services offered to the members of the community as well as the specialised services offered to persons with disabilities. This also includes housing, personal care, transportation, shopping centres, cinemas, and all the other facilities and services offered to the public.

To achieve this goal, the organisation employs the existing legal tools as supported decision-making mechanisms.

The organisation’s activities are based on the capacity-building strategy so that the people being assisted can make decisions regarding the management of the support they receive, which promotes their autonomy and supports their social inclusion. In order to achieve this goal, the organisation has adapted all the working procedures in its own quality plan based on human rights, seeking to reduce any intervention curtailing these rights when providing such support.