The Global Coalition on Deinstitutionalization (GC-DI) is a collection of leading international organizations of persons with disabilities and civil society organizations, formed around the collective goal of promoting the right to independent living and inclusion in the community for persons with disabilities, under Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
GC-DI was formed in June 2021 with the objective of supporting persons with disabilities worldwide to participate in the development of international Guidelines on Deinstitutionalization, including in Emergencies, by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Our organizations supported a series of regional consultation events organized by the Committee in 2021.
GC-DI supports the widest possible participation by persons with disabilities, including people most affected by institutionalization, in the implementation and continued development of the Guidelines.
Current membership
International Disability Alliance (IDA)
IDA is an alliance of global and regional organizations of persons with disabilities. Its members promote the rights of persons with disabilities across United Nations efforts to advance human rights and sustainable development, and support organizations of persons with disabilities in advocacy and accountability work.
Inclusion International (II)
Inclusion International is the global network of people with intellectual disabilities and their families, representing more than 200 organizations in over 100 countries. It advocates for inclusive education, legal capacity, independent living, self-advocacy, and full inclusion in communities.
Transforming Communities for Inclusion (TCI)
TCI is a global organization of persons with psychosocial disabilities. It works toward the realization of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with particular emphasis on the right to live independently and be included in the community.
European Network on Independent Living (ENIL)
ENIL is an international network of disabled people, independent-living organizations, and allies. It promotes independent living, social inclusion, self-representation, solidarity, and self-determination.
Disability Rights International (DRI)
DRI is a human-rights advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the rights and full community inclusion of children and adults with disabilities worldwide. Its work includes documentation, public education, activist support, and strategic litigation.
Disability Rights Unit, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
The Disability Rights Unit works to advance the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa through research, capacity-building, engagement with civil society and governments, and judicial and non-judicial redress mechanisms.
Validity Foundation – Mental Disability Advocacy Centre
Validity is an international non-governmental human-rights organization that uses legal strategies to promote, protect, and defend the rights of persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities in Europe and Africa.