Contact
ITHACA - Institutional Treatment, Human Rights and Care AssessmentContact: Graham Thornicroft,
ITHACA Principal Investigator
Design/Imprint: Peter Rebernik,
DI - Webmaster
Mental Disability Advocacy Center (MDAC), Budapest, HU
The Mental Disability Advocacy Center (MDAC) is a Hungarian foundation established in response to an identified need for a regional human rights organisation to specifically challenge human rights abuses against people with disabilities.Upon its foundation MDAC's main objectives were to promote legal and other forms of advocacy for the human rights of people with intellectual disabilities and psycho-social (mental health) disabilities. Its focus was principally upon central and eastern Europe and, the former Soviet Union. The goal was simple: to improve the quality of life for such individuals by advocating public policies that promoted community integration, self-determination and support for them and their families.
In 2004 MDAC became a cooperating organisation of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights and gained participatory status with the Council of Europe. In 2006 MDAC refined and broadened its mission and vision. Its specific mission now is to advance the human rights of children and adults with actual or perceived intellectual or psycho-social (mental health) disabilities. Focusing on Europe and central Asia, MDAC uses a combination of law and advocacy to promote equality and social integration. Its vision is for a world that values emotional, mental and learning differences, and where people respect each other's autonomy and dignity.
In 2007 MDAC continued to implement its mission working on the national level with local partner NGOs on various projects in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Russia; and on the international level partnering in European research projects and engaging in advocacy activities with the United Nations, the OSCE, and the European Union.
The challenges faced by MDAC and those for whom it works are immense. Human rights abuses include discrimination, inequality, inadequate care, treatment and support, deprivation of liberty, isolation and segregation. Through national and international litigation and advocacy, campaigns at national and international levels and through education, steady progress is being made.
Mission Statement
The Mental Disability Advocacy Center (MDAC) advances the human rights of children and adults with actual or perceived intellectual or psycho-social disabilities. Focusing on Europe and Central Asia, it uses a combination of law and advocacy to promote equality and social integration.MDAC's vision is for a world that values emotional, mental and learning differences, and where people respect each other's autonomy and dignity.
Team Members
- Oliver Lewis, Executive Director Oliver was appointed MDAC's Executive Director in September 2006, having served as its Legal Director for five years since its inception. Oliver graduated in law from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and obtained a postgraduate degree in medical law and ethics at King's College London. He qualified as a barrister in the UK, a position which he maintains through his associate membership of Doughty Street Chambers, London. In 1999-2000 Oliver worked at the UK's Department of Health researching mental health law reform.
Oliver is a visiting professor at the Central European University in Budapest, teaching mental disability law and advocacy to postgraduate human rights students. He is also a Fellow at CEU's Center for Ethics and Law in Biomedicine. He has given lectures at several universities around the world, and is on the faculty of a new international diploma in mental health and human rights, run by the University of Pune, India.
Contact
Mental Disability Advocacy CentreRakoczi ut 27/B
1088 Budapest
HUNGARY
Phone: +36 1 413 2730
Fax: +36 1 413 2739
Email: mdac(at)mdac.info
www.mdac.info
