Care for People with Disabilities in Italy: A Critical Analysis of Act 112/2016 on Assistance for People with Serious Disabilities Lacking Family Support

The paper focuses on the issue of care assistance for people with disabilities in Italy, examining the recent Act n. 112 adopted by the Italian Parliament in June 2016 and entitled “Measures in the field of assistance for people with serious disabilities lacking family support” (Disposizioni in materia di assistenza in favore delle persone con disabilità grave prive del sostegno familiare). In particular, I explore whether and how this legislative intervention effectively meets the needs of people with disabilities, especially with regard to their right to live independently and be included in the community as provided by Article 19 of the 2006 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I hold that while Act 112/2016 constitutes a significant advance in ensuring people with disabilities the opportunity to live independently and be included and participate in society, it does not however really challenge the national family-centred welfare system, which continues to view families as the main subjects in charge of providing care and assistance to their dependent members.