Social, Tikkun Olam

Freekey

About this project

Freekey is a group of disabled and able people with the goal of implementing personal assistance in Hungary, just like in other countries. Its scientific and movement work consists of organizing and running related necessary services. The initiative looks at disabled people as customers, who, with the appropriate assistance, could become active citizens, similar to their able peers. Proving its professional approach, it does not consider the social inclusion of disabled people as the exclusive responsibility of the state, so it aims to target the private sector.

Why is it important?

Today in Hungary, there is no service or support network that would allow disabled people to have an equal life with self-determination. In institutional life, there is less chance to satisfy personal needs. Personal assistance would also enable people with disabilities to look for work, as a result, they could have a more active role in society and community life, something that should be a human right for all, regardless of how much support they require. This service system would enable its clients to have a more independent life. With personal assistance, people using the service would be in charge of their everyday life to provide them with a better quality of life.

Why is it special?

The name Freekey was picked because freakiness is not only a key to independence – as stated in their slogan – but they are proud of it. Their goal is not to blend into society and conform to normality but to keep their identity. This project is unique as it combines the experiential knowledge of disabled people with the professional knowledge of able people. They all share responsibility for creating and implementing processes and making decisions. They consider each other equal but not the same – they vary in age, gender, professional knowledge, interests, and needs. They are fun and have self-irony, but they are not cute; they are dynamic, active, and in no need of nurturing.