[Excerpt] The European Coalition for Community Living believes that all children have the right to live in the community and be included in society. However, this is far from reality for many children with disabilities. Across Europe, thousands of children with disabilities are placed in large residential institutions which are often situated in remote areas so that residents have little or no contact with the outside world. Thus these children are excluded from community life and separated from their families. It is unacceptable to place any child in such segregated environments. ECCL therefore considers that urgent action is required at all levels of government to ensure that appropriate quality community-based services and family supports are available as alternatives to these institutions.