RELAVIN (Latin American Network of Independent Living) is an organization that plays a crucial role in supporting and promoting independent living for people with disabilities in Latin America. It was founded during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 by former fellows of the independent living courses offered by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This network currently extends across 13 countries in the region, including Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguaym Dominican Republic and Uruguay. All representatives are people with disabilities, which strengthens the organization's mission to promote from an experiential and direct perspective.
The mission of RELAVIN is focused on the promotion and implementation of the principles established in articles 12 and 19 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These articles advocate for the recognition of the legal capacity of people with disabilities and the right to live independently and be included in the community, respectively. The network works to disseminate and establish personal assistance systems, similar to the one implemented in Costa Rica in 2019, and to ensure that the voices of people with disabilities are heard and their needs reflected in local policies and practices for independent living.
The establishment of independent living centers in communities is a fundamental aspect for RELAVIN, as these centers facilitate the management of personal assistant systems and serve as platforms for people with disabilities to express their needs and aspirations. These collective efforts are essential to build a more inclusive and diverse community in Latin America.
October 10, 2020 Virtual pre-seminar on independent living https://www.facebook.com/share/v/bwfvFJPRikWr17hT/
November 11, 2020 First virtual seminar on independent living - "A decision that changes your life" https://www.facebook.com/share/v/6i9t6RfZcfCymy6j/
January 6, 2021 IV extraordinary meeting "Advice from Facundo Chávez from the United Nations High Commissioner" https://www.facebook.com/share/p/2pg7np7fiU8aeAJ9/
May 14, 2021 2nd virtual seminar on independent living - Independent Living Center "The path to our protagonism" https://www.facebook.com/share/p/2pg7np7fiU8aeAJ9/
July 30, 2021 Ministry of Economic Inclusion Ecuador "Forum on Independent Living throughout the life cycle" https://www.facebook.com/share/wtU5WUK8srSaPCPn/
August 19, 2021 Independent Living Foundation Chile "Webinar on Independent Living, where we will address the experiences of implementing Independent Living Centers" https://www.facebook.com/share/p/UcwGcRtNUqpwtHTJ/
November 11, 2021 III seminar on Independent Living "Latin America a free continent for people with disabilities" https://www.facebook.com/share/v/nasq6a5zmTpi5p8H/
June 15, 2022 Parallel Event COSP-15 Independent Living Revolution in Latin America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzZNmy6E7MU
December 3, 2022 Latin American Walk "WITHOUT US THERE ARE NO RIGHTS" https://www.facebook.com/share/v/zZohXdva1QYkDEBe/
February 23, 2023 ZeroConLatam23: Best Practices in Independent Living in Ibero-America https://youtu.be/84sC6PtleGk?si=KkGPOSkQtCcLOuAO
June 23, 2023 Do you want to be part of the change? The Latin American Independent Living Network joins the movement of people with disabilities to promote the rights of people with disabilities t.ly/VEgLI
October 6, 2023 THE INDEPENDENT LIVING MOVEMENT AND THE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM IN LATIN AMERICA https://www.facebook.com/share/v/Bu3jLENpu367AhRA/