68. According to NGOs, the pace of deinstitutionalisation is slow and the planned activities are not supported by concrete measures to develop community-based services to ensure the right to independent living. In this context, many civil society organisations indicated that there was resistance towards the deinstitutionalisation process by local authorities. The national authorities also acknowledged the need to improve cooperation with city governments, and referred to procedural disagreements regarding demands by some stakeholders to access European structural funds prior to carrying out individual assessments of clients and developing regional deinstitutionalisation plans. Both government officials and NGOs stressed that the prevailing attitudes in Latvian society – i.e., that long-term care institutions are actually beneficial for persons with disabilities – have created additional barriers in the deinstitutionalisation process.62 69. The implementation of the deinstitutionalisation plan is led by the Ministry of Welfare in cooperation with municipalities, with the former providing the regulatory framework for policy reform as well as methodological management and supervision. According to officials, the implementation of 5 projects – one in each planning region of Latvia - was moving forward, and cooperation agreements had been signed with 94% of the municipalities. Project activities included: identification of a target group; public procurement procedures for hiring specialists to perform individual needs assessments and prepare individual support plans; and preparation of regional deinstitutionalisation plans, including mapping of further EU investments for social service development and reorganisation plans for longterm care institutions.63 70. The Commissioner raised the issue of cooperation between state and local authorities during his meeting with Riga city officials, who expressed commitment to the process but considered that there were shortcomings as regards targeted planning and assessment reflecting local needs and capacities. Therefore, the Commissioner called on the state and municipal authorities to improve cooperation and streamline their coordination mechanisms to revitalise the deinstitutionalisation process, so that persons currently residing in institutions can enjoy independent living in their communities. 71. The Commissioner visited the Baldone branch of the Riga State Social Care Centre in the municipality of Baldone, a large residential institution for children and adults with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities. At the time of the visit there were 61 children aged from 4 to 18 years and 95 adults residing in the institution. The material conditions appeared to be of an adequate standard; the institution was surrounded by large grounds with an orchard and vegetable garden, as well as a playground. All 61 children were registered in educational institutions. The Commissioner was informed about the following types of schooling arrangements available to the residents: homeschooling; special educational establishments for persons with visual impairments; and special education programmes for those diagnosed with severe intellectual impairments or severe developmental disorders provided in schools for children with special needs, as well as specialised classes in mainstream schools. The programmes concerned were provided in different educational establishments, including boarding schools. Those residents able to do so could participate in varied activities, including recreation and arts and crafts classes. Further, re-socialisation and half-way home services were offered for adults to prepare their transition to independent leaving in a group home. The Commissioner encouraged continuous training for staff to attend to the different needs of clients and make more efforts to ensure inclusive education. 2.4 ACCESS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TO INCLUSIVE EDUCATION 72. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) establishes the obligation to provide an inclusive education system for persons with disabilities.64 73. Latvia ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in March 2010. The Ministry of Welfare is responsible for disability rights policies, ensures coordination between ministries, and oversees the activities of the National Council of Disability Affairs (NCDA), an advisory body comprising representatives of the ministries, government agencies, associations and disability 62 See also: Member States' Policies for Children with Disabilities, Country Report on Latvia, Policy Department C - Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs, European Parliament, December 2014. 63 Data provided by the Ministry of Welfare. 64 Article 24, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 16