CRPD/C/GC/5 B. Article 19, chapeau 18. Article 19 reaffirms non-discrimination and recognition of the equal right of persons with disabilities to live independently in the community. In order for the right to live independently, with choices equal to others, and be included in the community to be realized, States parties must take effective and appropriate measures to facilitate the full enjoyment of the right and the full inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in the community. 19. The article covers two concepts, which are only clearly mentioned in its heading: the right to independent living and the right to be included in the community. Whereas the right to independent living refers to an individual dimension, as a right to emancipate oneself without being denied access and opportunities, the right to be included in the community entails a social dimension, i.e., the positive right to develop inclusive environments. The right as enshrined in article 19 covers both concepts. 20. Article 19 explicitly refers to all persons with disabilities. Neither the full or partial deprivation of any “degree” of legal capacity nor the level of support required may be invoked to deny or limit the right to independence and independent living in the community to persons with disabilities. 21. When persons with disabilities are assessed as requiring a high level of personal service, States parties often consider institutions as the only solution, especially when personal services are considered to be “too costly” or the person with disabilities is considered to be “unable” to live outside an institutional setting. Persons with intellectual disabilities, especially those with complex communication requirements, among others, are often assessed as being unable to live outside institutional settings. Such reasoning is contrary to article 19, which extends the right to live independently and be included in the community to all persons with disabilities, regardless of their level of intellectual capacity, self-functioning or support requirements. 22. All persons with disabilities should be free to choose to be active and belong to cultures of their own choice, and they must have the same degree of choice and control over their lives as other members of the community. Independent living is not compatible with the promotion of a “predefined” individual lifestyle. Young persons with disabilities should not be forced to live in settings designed for elderly persons with disabilities and vice versa. 23. Persons with disabilities of all genders are rights holders and enjoy equal protection under article 19. All appropriate measures should be taken to ensure the full development, advancement and empowerment of women. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex persons with disabilities must enjoy equal protection under article 19 and therefore respect for their personal relationships. Furthermore, the right to live independently and be included in the community encompasses the protection of persons with disabilities belonging to any age group, ethnic group, scheduled caste or linguistic and/or religious minority, as well as migrant, asylum seeking and refugee persons. C. Article 19 (a) 24. To choose and decide how, where and with whom to live is the central idea of the right to live independently and be included in the community. Individual choice, therefore, is not limited to the place of residence but includes all aspects of a person’s living arrangements: the daily schedule and routine as well as the way of life and lifestyle of a person, covering the private and public spheres, every day and in the long term. 25. Often, persons with disabilities cannot exercise choice because there is a lack of options to choose from. This is the case, for instance, where informal support by the family is the only option, where support is unavailable outside of institutions, where housing is inaccessible or support is not provided in the community, and where support is provided only within specified forms of residence such as group homes or institutions. 26. Further, persons with disabilities might not be allowed to exercise their individual choice owing to the lack of accessible information regarding the range of choices available 6