Autism Europe

Opération Chaussettes Bleues 2018 Sensibilisation à l'Autisme- Bruxelles, Belgique
2018-03-31 11:00 - 19:00 (Europe/Paris) | Bois de la Cambre, Carrefour des Attelages, Bruxelles, 1000, Belgium
Cette année encore à l’occasion de la journée mondiale de sensibilisation à l’autisme des centaines de chaussettes bleues envahiront le bois de la Cambre à Bruxelles.
Cette journée festive, informative et participative s’adresse à tout public et a pour but de sensibiliser et de mieux faire connaitre l’autisme. Si vous souhaitez accroître vos connaissances sur l’autisme venez assister aux conférences et témoignages, vous pourrez également poser vos questions et échanger vos idées .
Si vous désirez passer un bon samedi en famille et entre amis, venez assister gratuitement aux différents concerts et spectacles qui auront lieu tout au long de la journée. Des ateliers créatifs et des espaces de jeux et de relaxation seront accessibles à tous, petits et grands.

Cet événement est organisé par l’ASBL Autisme En Action avec le soutien du Fonds de soutien Marguerite-Marie Delacroix de la plateforme Autisolidarité (20 associations) ainsi que le groupe de recherche universitaire ACTE « ULB ».
Pour un mieux vivre ensemble dans le respect des différences.

Conférence: Ensemble brisons les barrières pour l'autisme (Luxembourg)
2018-03-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Fondation Autisme Luxembourg, Route d'Arlon, Capellen, Mamer, 8310, Luxembourg
A l’occasion de la Journée mondiale de sensibilisation à l’autisme le 2 avril 2018, la Fondation Autisme Luxembourg et Autisme-Europe ont le plaisir de vous inviter à la conférence “Brisons les barrières pour l’autisme”.
Les intervenants sont:
– Nathalie Lehoucq, Directrice Générale de la Fondation Autisme Luxembourg:
discours de bienvenue
– Aurélie Baranger, Directrice d’Autisme Europe: recommandations pour
une stratégie européenne de l’autisme
– Dr Andreia Costa, Research Associate uni.lu: projet de collaboration
FAL – uni.lu – plan autisme
– Jessica Thill, enseignante au préscolaire à Rumelange: témoignage
et expérience positive d’un jeune autiste
Programme de la soirée :

Discours de bienvenue
(Nathalie Lehoucq, Directrice générale de la FAL)
Recommandations pour une stratégie européenne en matière d’autisme
(Aurélie Baranger, Directrice d’Autisme-Europe)
Projet de collaboration FAL/UNI.lu sur l’élaboration d’un Plan National Autisme
(Dr Andréia Pinto Costa, Research Associate Université du Luxembourg)
Témoignage et expérience positive sur l’inclusion scolaire d’un jeune autiste
(Jessica Thill, Enseignante au préscolaire à Rumelange)

Durant toute la soirée, une exposition de photos à l’initiative d’Autisme Europe et réalisée entre autres par André Weisgerber sera présentée à tous. Cette exposition sera prochainement exposée au Parlement Européen à Bruxelles.
La conférence sera suivie d’une verre de l’amitié offert par la Commune de Mamer.
Pour des raisons d’organisation, nous vous prions de nous confirmer votre
présence avant le 23 mars 2018 par téléphone au 26 91 11 1 ou par mail à autisme@fal.lu

L'autisme à l'âge adulte : pour une vision progressiste et une démarche d'accompagnement inclusive. Niort, France
2018-03-29 - 2018-03-30 | Parc des Expositions de Noron, 6 Rue Archimède, Niort, 79000, France
Le 4ème plan autisme a inscrit l’accompagnement des adultes comme une priorité, au travers d’une meilleure inclusion sociale notamment.
Pour adapter nos propres comportements, ajuster les dispositifs d’accompagnement et graduer les soutiens en réponse aux besoins singuliers, il est nécessaire de prendre en compte une connaissance scientifique actualisée. De même, il est absolument nécessaire de poursuivre le travail de repérage et de diagnostique clinique des adultes afin de mieux accéder aux éléments de compréhension des spécificités socio-communicatives et plus globalement des comportements particuliers liés à l’autisme.
Aussi, le regard porté envers les adultes doit être celui d’une approche sociétale positive capable de promouvoir sans cesse des parcours de vie inclusifs et ce quelque soit le degré de soutien dont a besoin la personne autiste , le lieu d’activités et de vie de la personne. Cela nécessite un engagement de la société et de chacun des acteurs au quotidien.
Les positions associatives, et plus largement toutes les actions qui contribuent aux soutiens des compétences communautaires et sociales, des apprentissages, à l’emploi accompagné et enfin à un habitat aux qualités attendues doivent exiger cet engagement.
Le défi est celui d’accompagner la personne vers davantage d’autodétermination et vers l’appropriation d’habiletés pour qu’elle soit actrice au quotidien.
Ainsi, l’édition de ce 8ème colloque consacré à l’âge adulte aura pour volonté de proposer un espace de réflexions constructives et progressistes pour partager les connaissances, les expériences menées en France par différentes équipes de terrain, échanger entre tous et bénéficier du regard des personnes présentant un Trouble du Spectre de l’Autisme.
Thematiques abordées

Les perspectives du 4ème plan Autisme et les Recommandations des Bonnes Pratiques Professionnelles de L’ANESM et de la HAS pour les adultes.
L’actualité scientifique de la recherche sur les TSA.
Le regard et les attentes de personnes autistes.
Les dispositifs de soutien pour le développement des habiletés sociales des personnes et leur participation sociale.

Comité scientifique

Séverine RECORDON-GABORIAUD : Docteur en Psychologie – Directrice du Pole Accueil Spécialisé de l’Adapei 79 dont la Maison Pour l’Autisme – Membre du CA de l’Arapi.
Pr. Catherine BARTHELEMY : Professeur Emérite à l’Université de Tours, Membre de l’Académie Nationale de Médecine, Vice-Présidente du CA et membre du CS de l’Arapi.
Sophie BIETTE : Présidente de l’Adapei de Loire-Atlantique – Membre du CA de l’Unapei (Référente Autisme) – Membre du CA et du CS de l’Arapi.

Téléchargez le programme
Téléchargez le bulletin d’inscription

3rd ESIPP Conference in Limassol, Cyprus
2018-03-21 | Panos Solomonides Center, Androutsou, Limassol, Cyprus
Around 100 parents, professionals, students, policy-makers,including the mayor of the city of Limassol, journalists and other stakeholders will participate on the third multiplier event held in the framework of the European project “Equity and Social Inclusion through Positive Parenting” (ESIPP).
Hosted by the Center of Development & Support for Children & Teenagers – AASP (Autism Assessment Support Practice), the conference will raise awareness about the importance of parent education in autism and shared the work and expertise of the project partners to a wider audience. The ESIPP Parent Education Programme, developed in collaboration with partners from across Europe including Autism-Europe, will be also introduced.

Maintain, Strengthen, Expand: How the EU can support the transition from institutional to family and community-based care in the next Multuiannual Financial Framework- Brussels, Belgium
2018-03-20 14:30 - 17:30 | European Commission, Rue Laeken 104, Brussels, Bruxelles-Capitale, Région de;Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, 1000, Belgium
The event will bring together civil society working with and for children and families in 25 European countries and key EU level stakeholders to discuss:

The EU’s added value in supporting the transition from institutional to family and community-based care for children in Europe;
Challenges and opportunities regarding the use of EU funds for deinstitutionalisation;
How the EU can ensure better outcomes for children through the next MFF.

The initiated discussions will also reflect insights from the Opening Doors for Europe’s Children new publication “Maintain, Strengthen, Expand: How the EU can support the transition from institutional to family and community-based care in the next MFF” that will be launched during the event.

The meeting will be moderated by Jana Hainsworth, Secretary General of Eurochild and Aaron Greenberg, UNICEF Regional Adviser for Child Protection. The event will be followed by the networking reception. Invitation with agenda of the event and confirmed location will be shared shortly.

Register here by the 16th March

NAS Masterclass on autism and gender dysphoria- London, UK
2018-03-19 13:00 - 16:00 | The National Autistic Society, 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG, United Kingdom
During this Masterclass, Dr Wenn Lawson will explore autism and gender dysphoria, referencing both academic knowledge and understanding along with his own personal story and anecdotal accounts.
The session will discuss some of the research that is relating to autistic individuals living with conflicting gender and sexuality issues. Including questions such as recognising gender variance in autism, how can we tell if gender and sexuality are issues of a permanent nature or are aspects of a special interest, what if these are not issues for the individual at all or are the result of an obsessive compulsive disorder along with the best ways to educate, support and tap into resources for autistic individuals and their families.
Dr Wenn Lawson is autistic and has studied, researched and worked with autistic people for over 20 years. In this interview, Wenn discusses gender dysphoria and his own personal experiences of gender.
Watch Wenn’s interview

Que nous apprennent les personnes avec autisme?- Tournai, Belgique
2018-03-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Bruxelles-Capitale, Région de;Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest
Le mardi 13 mars prochain dès 18h auront lieu à Tournai une conférence et un spectacle autour de l’autisme. La soirée after-works idéale pour profiter d’un bon moment entre collègues!
La conférence « Que nous apprennent les personnes avec autisme ? » sera assurée par le Dr Pierre Defresne, Médecin-directeur de la Fondation SUSA et Nathalie Lampole, pédagogue spécialisée dans l’accompagnement des autistes et formatrice au sein de l’Espace du Possible.
Ensuite la Cie What’s Up ?! vous présentera le spectacle Is-there life on Mars?
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Seminar "Powerful Ladies. Empowering Woman with Disabilities". Brussels, Belgium
2018-03-08 10:00 - 12:00 | European Parliament, Rue Weirz 60, Brussels, 1047, Belgium

Autism professionals annual conference 2018- Harrogate, UK
2018-03-07 - 2018-03-08 | Harrogate, United Kingdom
The National Autistic Society’s two day conference in Harrogate is held on 7-8 March and is focused on how to empower autistic voice and choice. Hear the latest information from experts in the field and learn from case studies illustrating best practice. With four different seminar streams to choose from, you can select the seminars which are most relevant to your work.
“Always a great environment and networking opportunity. So many inspirational individuals in one place” – 2017 delegate
Key topics
Some of the key topics this conference will cover include:

recognising and treating anxiety
helping parents to improve their child’s sleep patterns
employment for autistic adults
using speech and language tools to aid communication
developing a new adult diagnostic tool
eating disorders in autistic women
autism and epilepsy
techniques for coping with bullying

Meeting of the European Parliament Informal Carers Interest Group "Young carers – challenges and solutions"- Brussels, Belgium
2018-03-06 11:00 - 13:00 | European Parliament, Rue Weirz 60, Brussels, 1047, Belgium
While the general issue of informal care seems to be (slowly but increasingly) recognised by policy makers, young carers do not yet feature on national or European policy agendas. Fortunately, in recent years, this forgotten group has been addressed by some national and European studies, highlighting their situation and needs.
The aim of this European Parliament Informal Carers Interest Group meeting is to:

Highlight the situation of young carers;
Underline their needs and challenges;
Come forward with recommendations on how to address these needs;
Explore possibilities for EU level action to ensure policy attention for young carers across the board.

Register
Download the programme

Sustainable Development Goals conference- Brussels, Belgium
2018-03-03 | Renaissance hotel, Rue du Parnasse 19, Bruxelles, 1050, Belgium
The European Disability Forum, in collaboration with the Belgian Disability Forum, organises a conference on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The purpose of the event is to better equip civil society representatives in advocating for disability-inclusive SDGs in Europe and within its Member States.
The objectives of the conference are the following:

To showcase how the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) should serve as a guiding framework for the implementation and the monitoring of the SDGs;
To increase understanding and knowledge about the SDGs, particularly the Voluntary National Reviews processes, using Belgium as an example;
To launch EDF human rights series 2 entitled: “2030 Agenda and SDGs report: A European perspective to respect, protect and fulfil the CRPD”.

Register
Download flyer

European Conference: Investing in people – the way forward. Sofia, Bulgaria
2018-02-15 - 2018-02-16 | Sofia Tech Park JSC, Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd. 111B, Sofia, 1784, Bulgaria
The European Conference “Investing in people – the way forward” is part of the Bulgarian Presidency’s events program and will conclude the celebrations of the 60-year anniversary of the European Social Fund.
The two-day event will consist of plenary sessions dedicated to discussions on the strategic orientation of human development funding in Europe, and thematic workshops.
The conference will bring together all relevant actors such as representatives from EU institutions, national, regional, local public authorities, social partners, civil society organisations, academia as well as end-users and beneficiaries of the funds. Autism-Europe’s director Aurélie Baranger will also participate at this event.
It will provide a unique opportunity to express views on the perceived priorities and expectations for the period post 2020 and to help shape the Commission’s policy proposals.
The conference constitutes a key milestone in the consultation process on future EU investment in people and a unique opportunity to reflect on the development of the social dimension of Europe, in the spirit of the recent Gothenburg proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
The conference is by invitation only, and webstreaming will be available.
Download the agenda

19th session of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Committee
2018-02-14 - 2018-03-09 | Palais des Nations- Room XVII, Geneva, 1211, Switzerland
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities held its 19th Session in Geneva. The Committee normally holds two sessions per year.
The initial reports of the following countries will be considered: Sudan, Oman, Slovenia, Nepal, Seychelles, Russian Federation and Haiti. The Committee will also adopt a list of issues under the simplified reporting procedure of Costa Rica, Paraguay, Republic of Korea and New Zealand in private meetings.
The meetings are open to the public, attendees from organizations of persons with disabilities and civil society organizations may observe the dialogues between the delegations of these States parties and the Committee, but they cannot make statements or raise questions from the floor.
The accreditation period begins on 14 December 2017 and ends on 13 February 2018.
How can you get accredited?
A new accreditation system has been rolled out very recently. Participants will be required to get accreditation online.
All observers, including non-governmental organizations, organization of persons with disabilities and national human rights institutions (NHRIs), wishing to attend any sessions of the Committee are required to be duly registered.
Participants wishing to register to attend sessions or pre-sessional working group of the Committee must do so through the online platform for accreditation, Indico. The information related to the accreditation system will be posted on the Committee’s webpage later on in mid-December 2017. The process of accreditation will be explained under the web session link of the online platform Indico. One your accreditation done, kindly allow two working days for your request to be processed.
For which meetings can I be accredited?
During session, the accreditation is available only for public meetings. Please check the programme of work to know which meetings are open to the public.
Organizations of persons with disabilities attending private meetings during the pre-sessional working meetings should also get accredited. Please check the website of the Committee for further instructions.

Live webcasting to the Committee’s meetings by UN WebTV

Women with disabilities (in the EU): situation and way forward. Brussels, Belgium
2018-02-09 09:00 - 13:00 | European Economic and Social Committee- JDE Building, 99 rue Belliard – 6th floor – Foyer, Brussels, 1040, Belgium
The EESC Permanent Study Group on Disability Rights is organising a public hearing on “Women with disabilities in the EU: situation and way forward”.
The aim of the event is to look into the situation of women with disabilities in the EU and propose some recommendations to improve it.
In the first part we will set the scene and background while in the second part we will listen to some inspiring testimonies and good practices.
#women with #disabilities #EESC
Download the programme

Coproducing employment initiatives for young persons with disabilities and mental health problems. Brussels, Belgium
2018-01-30 09:00 - 11:30 | European Parliament, Room A5E-2, Place du Luxembourg 100, Brussels, Bruxelles-Capitale, Région de;Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, 1047, Belgium
The event will aim to showcase how employment initiatives both at European, national, regional and local level can benefit from the coproduction methodology, where all relevant stakeholders participate in the development and implementation of the initiative.
It will focus on inclusive employment, in line with article 27 of the UNCRPD, linking EU employment initiatives and policies (such as the Youth Employment Initiative) to inclusive practices of employment support for young persons with disabilities from all stakeholders.
The intent is to create an opportunity for all stakeholders – persons with disabilities, services, employers, trade unions, as well as policy makers, MEPs and the European Commission – to network and find common grounds to develop collaboration based on the model of coproduction.
Download the agenda

ASDEU programme final conference. Madrid, Spain
2018-01-29 - 2018-01-30 | Madrid, Spain
This event will be a high-level conference taking place in Madrid on the 29-30 January 2018 for a future EU Public Health Plan for Autism.
The event will be the closing conference of the ASDEU programme funded by DG SANTE, and will also present research outcomes related to prevalence rates of autism across Europe, early detection and life-long support, as well as policy recommendations.
The event will be attended by representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament, and national ministries in the field of health, education and social policies. Participation in this event is by invitation only.

Autism-Europe Executive Committee meeting. Madrid, Spain
2018-01-27 - 2018-01-28 | Madrid, Spain

Autism and social skills conference- Leeds, UK
2018-01-17 | Hilton Leeds City Hotel, Neville Street, Leeds, Leeds, LS1 4BX, United Kingdom
This conference, organised by the National Autistic Society, will provide attendees with the tools and strategies to support autistic people at home, in the classroom or in other learning environments.
Social situations can often be very difficult for autistic people. There are so many confusing social rules that appear to be learnt instinctively by non-autistic people. These rules can often cause anxiety as they are generally unwritten and not talked about.
Most children learn social skills by watching their peers, experimenting in imitation and refining their skills as they go. Autistic children can find this difficult, and consequently seem to miss many opportunities to practice these skills. Social skills and social situations need to be broken down, explained and practiced so that autistic children can understand them.
Many of us benefit from the closeness and mutual support that comes from having a network of relationships, be this with friends, romantic partners or colleagues. However, for autistic people, everyday conversation and social interaction can lead to misunderstandings, confusion or upset, negotiating the ‘minefield’ of social networks can be much harder and the support of professionals, parents and carers can be crucial.
Featuring a range of expert speakers, this conference will provide you with an opportunity to learn new strategies, share good practice and network.

4th European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities- Brussels, Belgium
2017-12-06 | Bruxelles-Capitale, Région de;Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest
More than 500 people with disabilities from across Europe will gather on the 6th of December in the European Parliament in Brussels to have a dialogue with their Parliamentarians and speak up for their rights. The 4th European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities (EPPD) is co-organised by the European Disability Forum (EDF) and the European Parliament.
It is a unique opportunity for European citizens with disabilities, both leaders and grass-root activists, to talk with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and high level representatives of other EU institutions about their human rights, in particular: the right to vote and participate in political and public life, the European Disability Strategy 2020-2030 and the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) by the European Union (EU).
The President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, and EDF President, Yannis Vardakastanis, will open the event.
Download the programme here
This year, the 4th EPPD will coincide with the 20th anniversary of EDF, and the European Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The conference will be web streamed live, with subtitles and international signs interpretation on the European Parliament Web TV.
You can also follow all updates on EDF Facebook and Twitter pages using the hashtag: #EPdisability

Public Hearing: Ending forced sterilisation of women and girls with disabilities
2017-12-05 14:30 - 16:00 | European Parliament, Rue Weirz 60, Brussels, 1047, Belgium
Women and girls with disabilities in Europe continue to be deprived of many of their human rights, including being sterilised against their consent or knowledge, depriving them from their dignity and power over their sexual and reproductive rights.
On 5 December 2017, EDF is holding a hearing aiming to raise awareness on ending forced sterilisation of women and girls with disabilities and call for the prohibition of all forms of violence against women.

The hearing is co-hosted by MEP Soraya Post and EDF Vice-President Ana Pelaez and will copunt with the participation of Autism-Europe’s Director Aurélie Baranger as speaker.

Women with disabilities from all over Europe, women’s rights organisations, civil society, human rights stakeholders, representatives of the United Nations and EU institutions will gather for this important event.

Download the agenda

The hearing coincides with two significant events:

European Days of Persons with Disabilities (4-5 December);
4th European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities (6 December).

Autism and Employment- Council of the EU, Belgium
2017-12-04 12:30 - 14:00 | Council of the European Union, General Secretariat, Rue de la Loi 175, Brussels, 1048, Belgium
On December 4, Autism-Europe and the Council of the European Union will mark the International Day of People with Disabilities by organising the event “Autism and Employment”. Participants will hear about autism from an employer (SAP) and an autistic person from the European Parliament. They will also learn about autism in our information stand.
This event is open for staff member of the EU Institutions.
12:30 Welcome- DGA Human Resources and Personnel Administration Directorate
12:35 Video ‘What is autism?’ National Autistic Society (UK)
12:45 Presentations
· SAP Autism at Work Program
Kristýna Rungeová, Autism at Work Global co-Lead| Fellow, SAP Services s.r.o., Czech Republic
· Autism in the Work Environment: different abilities
Johan Cappaert, external, ITEC/BACKIT Department, European Parliament, Brussels
Question & Answer session
13:55 Closing remarks- Cristina Gallach, GSC Equal Opportunities Officer
Download the agenda
This event is organised by Equal Opportunities – COPEC – Staff Development Unit in partnership with Autism-Europe.

The European Day of Persons with Disabilities (EDPD) "We are EU citizens" - Brussels, Belgium
2017-12-04 - 2017-12-05 | Brussels
As every year, the European Commission celebrates the Day of Persons with Disabilities together with the European Disability Forum. At this event, a wide range of politicians and high-level experts will be present in order to debate the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and, with the audience, explore the best possible solutions.
This year’s conference will be an occasion to celebrate citizenship: how can persons with disabilities be better informed of their rights? How can they make their voice heard? The event will also lead us to address the right to political participation and the possibility to make cities more inclusive for all. Finally, and more generally, how can persons with disabilities better live as fully-fledged citizens?
Two different panels will take place during the first day. The first will focus on the social aspect and will be an opportunity to receive an update on European initiatives for better inclusion of persons with disabilities. The Social Pillar, the Work Life Balance, health insurance, disability pensions and the Sustainable Development Goals will be among the subjects to be discussed.
The second panel will bring forth the question of political participation. The right to vote and to be elected will be discussed and we will also hear personal testimonies. The purpose of this panel will be to identify challenges faced by persons with disabilities regarding the rights to political participation, and to find solutions for a concrete equality concerning this fundamental citizen’s right.
The second day will focus on how EU cities could become more accessible on a sustainable basis and what is needed in order to allow better inclusion for all at local level. In this context, there will be an interactive panel with cities from across Europe together with politicians from national and EU level.
Finally, the Access City Award, which rewards cities across Europe for their efforts and commitments to be accessible to all, will close the conference. Ms Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, will announce the winners of this 2018 Award.
Draft agenda

European Disability and Development Week (EDDW17)- Europe-wide
2017-12-03 - 2017-12-10 | Europe-wide
The week begins on 3 December which is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and ends on 10 December which is Human Rights Day.

Autismo Sevilla's International Congress "Reaching Dreams"- Seville, Spain
2017-12-01 08:00 - 2017-12-02 20:30 | Hotel NH Collection Sevilla, Avda Diego Martinez Barrio, 8, Sevilla, Andalucia, Spain, Spain
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Integral Resource Centre for Autismo Sevilla, the entity is organising a number of different events to commemorate this significant date. The key event will be the three-day International Congress “Reaching Dreams” running from November 30 to December 2 2017.
More than 25 speakers will come from all over the world to share their experience, good practices and research in autism. There will also be specialisation workshops, five in total, to be held on Thursday 30 November. this will mark the beginning of the three-day event in which Seville will become a meeting point for specialisation in autism.

There are reductions in registration fees if done before October 1 through the Congress Ticketmaster Platform. You can register by clicking here.

The partners of AETAPI and ATAI, and people who belong to the federated entities in Autismo España, will have a 10% discount with a code that is provided through the email congresointernacional(at)autismosevilla.org

Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth- Gothenburg (Sweden)
2017-11-17 | Eriksbergshallen, Maskingatan 11, Göteborg, 417 64, Sweden
Hosted by the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Löfven in Gothenburg (Sweden), the Social Summit will gather European Union (EU) Heads of State and government, social partners and other key stakeholders to discuss how to promote fair jobs and growth.
The Social Summit will focus on how we can make the most of new opportunities and tackle common challenges affecting the labour markets and welfare models of today and tomorrow.
European Disability Forum (EDF) Vice-President, Pat Clarke, will participate as part of the Social Platform delegation bringing the Social Platform and EDF key messages, based on the EDF resolution on the Pillar of Social Rights. The event will be web cast and there will be discussions on social media.

Find more information on the Social Summit website
Follow the discussion on social media using the hashtag: #SocialSummit17
Social Platform’s side event
As a side event to the Social Summit, on the 16 November at 18.00 in Gothenburg, the Social Platform is organising a civil society exchange: ‘Our Europe: Civil society and the future of the EU’. Participants, including EDF Vice-President Pat Clarke, will discuss with the Major of Gothenburg, experts and civil society representatives how the EU can promote socially inclusive societies, what are the challenges and what is civil society’s role in building a socially progressive Union.
More information

Our Europe: Civil society & the future of the EU- Gothenburg (Sweden)
2017-11-16 18:00 - 21:00 | Museum of World Culture 54 Södra Vägen 412 54 Johanneberg Sweden, 54 Södra Vägen, Johanneberg, Gothenburg, 412 54, Sweden
How can the European Union help to promote socially inclusive societies? What challenges does it need to respond to in order to leave no one behind? What is civil society’s role in helping to build a socially progressive Union?
Discuss the answers to these questions and more at Social Platform‘s civil society exchange, ‘OUR EUROPE: Civil society & the future of the EU’!
The exchange will feature a panel of experts, including Mayor of Gothenburg Ann-Sofie Hermansson and representatives from government, the EU institutions and civil society, and in a question-and-answer format will allow the audience to voice their thoughts, opinions and concerns about how they build Social Europe.
Conversations and debates can continue in the following cocktail reception, during which the Social Platform will open their photo exhibition of inspiring social inclusion practices.
The exchange is an unofficial side event of the Social Summit hosted by the European Commission and the Government of Sweden, being held on 17 November.
This a side event to the Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth, hosted by the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Löfven in Gothenburg on 17 November 2017, focusing on promoting fair jobs and growth.
It will be a moment for Heads of States or Governments, EU Institutions, social partners, civil society and other key actors to engage in a joint and open discussion on how to promote and create the best conditions for fair jobs and growth, and on the way forward for Europe’s social dimension.
More information

Autism and sensory issues conference- Leicester, UK
2017-11-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Mercure Leicester The Grand Hotel, 6th Floor Castle Heights, Nottingham, NG1 6BJ, United Kingdom
This one-day offers the latest insight and best practice for supporting autistic individuals with sensory processing issues, as well as useful coping strategies to help overcome challenges.
Many people on the autism spectrum have difficulty processing everyday sensory information such as sounds, sights and smells. This is usually called having sensory integration difficulties or sensory sensitivity. It can have a profound effect on an individua life and autistic people are expected to cope with the sensory challenges at home, school and work every day
Dealing with these challenges can cause high levels of anxiety and stress, resulting in behaviours that can be difficult for other people to deal with and offer significant challenges to professionals involved in the provision of educational, health and welfare services. Understanding the causes of sensory issues can be key in helping to support autistic people at home, school or residential provision.
At this conference, expert speakers from the National Autistic Society will give you the tools and knowledge to support and help autistic people affected by sensory issues. It will look at how you can help overcome challenges caused by sensory issues and help you to understand the huge impact they can have on the life of an autistic person.

The National Homelessness Conference 2017 - input from Scottish Autism on homelessness and autism.
2017-11-16 | Conference & Events Venue, 200 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5RQ, United Kingdom
This year the association Homeless Action Scotland holds the annual national homelessness conference ‘Ever Changing Times’ in Glasgow.
Keynote speaker Dr Joe Long,from Autism Scotland (member of Autism-Europe) will give his input about homelessness and autism “Homelessness & Autism, Signs and Good Practice”.
Book now
Programme in full

Online course- Understanding Autism
2017-11-13 - 2017-12-13 | Bruxelles-Capitale, Région de;Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest
Understand more about autism, including diagnosis, the autistic spectrum and life with autism, with this online course.

What topics will you cover?

What is autism… and does it exist?
Social communication skills
Sensory sensitivities and repetitive behaviours
Co-occurring conditions
Strengths and difficulties of people on the autism spectrum
Lived experiences of people on the autism spectrum

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to…

Explain what autism is, and evaluate whether it really exists

Identify social communication skills and explain what happens if they do not develop as expected

Summarise knowledge of sensory and repetitive behaviours, and whether such behaviours are advantages or disadvantages

Explain why many people on the autism spectrum have co-occurring conditions

Identify the origins of strengths and difficulties experienced by people on the autism spectrum

Explore and discuss lived experiences of people on the autism spectrum

Who is the course for?

You don’t need any prior experience or qualifications to do this course but it might be of interest to practitioners in the field of autism, healthcare workers, people on the autism spectrum, and parents or carers.

Who will you learn with?

Tony Osgood

Tony is a senior lecturer at the Tizard Centre, part of the University of Kent. He specialises in understanding and responding to challenging behaviour. He is interested in human service organisations

Fiona Gullon-Scott

I am An Associate Lecturer with the Tizard Centre and an Academic Tutor with the University of Newcastle. A Chartered Psychologist, I have specialised in autism spectrum conditions for over 22 years.

Jill Bradshaw

Dr Jill Bradshaw is a Senior Lecturer in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and a Speech/Language Therapist -Tizard Centre, University of Kent. She has been working in this field for 25 year

Who developed the course?

The University of Kent, the UK’s European University, is one of the country’s most dynamic universities. Established in 1965, it now has 19,850 students studying at its various campuses.

EU Contribution to WHO Global campaign against ageism. Brussels, Belgium
2017-11-09 09:00 - 13:00 | Delegation of the Basque Country to the European Union, 27 rue des Deux Eglises, Brussels, 1000, Belgium
The existence of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination towards older adults – commonly referred to as ageism – imposes barriers to developing good policy on ageing. Ageism also hinders older people’s ability to do the things that they value and aspire to. Stereotyping affects how people think about older people; prejudice affects how people feel about older people; and discrimination affects how people and institutions act towards older people.
According to the World Health Organisation, ageism is highly prevalent worldwide and remains unchallenged in society largely because it is socially accepted and entrenched in institutions.
This event, co-organized by AGE Platform Europe with the support of the delegation of the Basque Country, the European Commission and the World Health Organization, will be an opportunity to raise the visibility of the issue and to examine what more can be done at EU level to combat ageism and to contribute to the WHO global campaign to combat ageism.
Target audience: Policy makers at EU level, national, regional and local authorities, civil society organisations, service providers, public health organisations
