Institutions for persons with disabilities It is all the more alarming for the NPM that Augmentative and Alternative Communication is rarely used or completely unknown in many institutions and facilities. These methods and tools improve the ability of persons with communication impairments to communicate and receive information. The affected persons can thus express their will better and live a more selfdetermined life as a consequence. This applies for persons with cognitive impairments and others. Augmentative and Alternative Communication often not used Individual target plans and corresponding support measures are vital in order for persons with impairments to be able to develop as well as possible and lead a life which is as self-determined as possible. This does not mean that persons with disabilities have to achieve performance-driven targets. Rather a plan for their future shall encompass their needs and desires as well as the support provided to realise the same. This can also be extended to cover school or employment-related goals. In the year under review, commissions also visited several institutions and facilities in which target plans were developed only superficially or not at all. The relevant conditions with which to achieve the planned target were often not created, which can reinforce a lack of independence and the feeling of resignation. Individual target plans necessary Reality for many persons with disabilities is, however, that they cannot live close to a local community but have to live in institutions in remote locations. Transport to the town centre is provided, but many examples show that there is little or no communication with the local residents and then only at certain events. Participation in “normal” daily life is non-existent. Life is thus reduced to a predominantly closed area that provides security and care but offers only a limited horizon. This is an obstacle to participation and interest in political decision-making processes. Years of socialisation in a secure, special world in which responsibility is taken away does not promote participation in social or political processes. Apart from the location of the institution, this influence can further be detected when in relation to self-determination in day-to-day life. The commissions frequently report about institutions and facilities in which residents are not free to decide for themselves on matters such as sleeping times, the time and type of meals, leisure activities etc.. These decisions are often taken by the staff and those affected have to bow to the routine of the facility. The individual desires and needs are often only accommodated to a limited extent in order not to interfere with the routine. People are not encouraged to formulate or express their own will in such settings. It thus becomes even less likely that they will avail of the opportunity to participate in political decision-making processes. Self-determination This can also be seen from the fact that the commissions constantly report about institutions in which there is no residents’ or self-representation. The reason often given for this is that the residents have no interest in participation. In response, the NPM states that every person is naturally free to decide whether Lack of selfrepresentation demonstrates deficits 92