Autism Europe

Online event: Web Accessibility Directive Deadline - Are we accessible yet?
2020-09-23 15:00 - 18:00 (Europe/Paris) | Online
The European Disability Forum invites you to an online discussion on the Web Accessibility Directive, co-organised with Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission.
The Web Accessibility Directive, adopted in 2016, sets 23 September 2020 as the date by which all public sector websites across the EU will have to be accessible for persons with disabilities. So, the online event will mark this important milestone for digital accessibility and participation in the EU.
Key stakeholders will highlight achievements and remaining challenges in terms of practical implementation of web accessibility from different perspectives, including policy makers, Member States, activists, users, academia and accessibility professionals.
The programme will become available on this page soon. Register now and save your spot (places are limited).
The online event will be public, free-of-charge, and recorded. International sign interpretation and live captioning will be provided.
Contact: Mher Hakobyan (EDF Accessibility Officer) mher.hakobyan@edf-feph.org
Please register through this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8130383120502176781

Webinar on advocating for strong national adoption of the European Accessibility Act
2020-09-30 14:30 - 16:00 | Online
The aim of this Webinar will be to provide an overview and transposition status of the European Accessibility Act and to give recommendations on how to advocate for strong national adoption of the Act.
The European Accessibility Act has been one of the most important European Union (EU) laws for strengthening right of persons with disabilities for equal access to services and products in the EU. It sets EU-wide minimum accessibility requirements for certain services and products available in the EU internal market. While it is a significant step towards reaching accessibility in the EU, this EU law can still be strengthened during national adoption by EU countries. The deadline for the adoption process is 28 June 2022.
To help the European Disability Forum (EDF) members and other disabilities advocates negotiate strong adoption of the Accessibility Act by their governments, we organise this webinar to:

provide an overview of the Act, including its scope, objectives, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, the role of the national surveillance authorities;
advise organisations of persons with disabilities on how to effectively advocate for ambitious transposition of the Act.

Speakers

Inmaculada Placencia Porrero, Senior Expert, Disability and Inclusion Unit, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
Alejandro Moledo, Policy Coordinator, EDF
Mher Hakobyan, Accessibility Officer, EDF

The webinar will provide International Sign interpretation and real-time captioning (English). The webinar will be recorded and shared later for those who cannot join.
Register here

Creating employment opportunities in the EU institutions for people with intellectual disabilities.- Online
2020-10-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Online
The aim is to raise the debate about how EU institutions could make sure they are also fostering the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.
Speakers
Stefan Trömel – Senior Disability Specialist at the International Labour Organization (ILO), Rebekka Wiemann – Equal Opportunities Officer at the Council of the European Union, Silvia Muñoz – Project Manager at Plena inclusión and Katrin Langensiepen – Member of the European Parliament (Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, Germany), member of the Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament and member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs of the European Parliament.
Click here to register

Conference on COVID-19 and disability- Building a better future.- Online
2020-10-30 10:30 - 17:00
The online Conference ‘COVID 19 and Disability’, hosted by the European Disability Forum,and Lebenshilfe is open to all. It will explore the impact of COVID-19 on persons with disabilities in Europe. Recommendations for policy-makers at National and European level will draw up.
The Conference will be in German and English, and there will be live captioning in German and English. There will be International Sign language interpretation.
The full programme will be soon available here.
Please register through this link

Autism-Europe General Assembly 2020.- ONLINE
2020-11-07 - 2020-11-08
In accordance with the statutes for our organisation, we are pleased to invite you to attend Autism- Europe’s Annual General Assembly. Due to the current Covid-19 situation, the date for the General Assembly has been pushed back to November, 2020. It will take place ONLINE from the 7-8 November, 2020.
Agenda:

Presentation of the executive committee report
Presentation of the activity report: 2019
Presentation of the financial report: 2019
Presentation of the work programme: 2020

All the working documents related to these meetings will be emailed to registered participants at a later date.
For more information, please contact Autism-Europe’s Secretariat: secretariat@autismeurope.org

Assemblée Générale Annuelle 2020 d’Autisme-Europe.- EN LIGNE
2020-11-07 - 2020-11-08
Conformément aux statuts de notre organisation, nous avons le plaisir de vous inviter à l’Assemblée générale d’Autisme-Europe. En raison de la situation du Covid-19, l’Assemblée générale a été reportée en novembre 2020. L’événement sera EN LIGNE, du 7 au 8 novembre 2020.
Ordre du jour :

Présentation du rapport du Comité exécutif
Présentation du rapport d’activité de 2019
Présentation du rapport financier de 2019
Présentation du programme de travail de 2020

Une réunion du Conseil d’Administration ainsi qu’une visite d’étude auront lieu en conjonction avec l’Assemblée générale.
Tous les documents de travail en lien avec les réunions seront envoyés ultérieurement par e-mail aux participants inscrits.
Pour de plus amples informations, nous vous prions de contacter le secrétariat d’Autisme-Europe : secretariat@autismeurope.org

Webinar on "Ending violence against women and girls with disabilities in the European Union"
2020-11-24 10:00 - 17:00 | Online
Women and girls with disabilities constitute 16% of the total population of women in the European Union, and 60% of the overall population of 100 million persons with disabilities. This corresponds to an estimated 60 million of women and girls with disabilities (equivalent to the total population of Italy).
Even before COVID-19, women and girls faced multiple forms of violence. Data show that, on average, they are 2 to 5 times more likely to face violence than other women and girls. In the EU, 34% of women with a health problem or a disability have experienced physical or sexual violence by a partner in their lifetime.
Violence may include domestic and gender-based violence, institutional violence, forced sterilisation, contraception and abortion, and harassment, including sexual harassment.
Despites being more at risks of becoming victims of violence, women and girls with disabilities received limited support due to lack of awareness, accessibility, and reasonable accommodation. They also face barriers in accessing justice.
Several policies of the European Commission have the potential to combat and end violence against women and girls with disabilities, in particular the Gender Equality Strategy and Strategy for Victims’ Rights adopted earlier this year, and the EU Disability Strategy to be adopted in 2021.
The Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention is also a fundamental instrument to end gender based and domestic violence.
How can we ensure that women and girls with disabilities are included and have the opportunity to lead all initiatives to combat violence in the EU?
Objectives:
The webinar will aim to:
• Identify forms of violence faced by women and girls with disabilities
• Discuss with EU actors and partners, including EU institutions, agencies and women’s organisations, how to work together to end violence against women and girls with disabilities
The webinar will provide International Sign interpretation and captioning.
Click here to register

Work to Inclusion: Jobs for people with intellectual disabilities in the labour market - Online
2020-11-24 15:00 - 16:30 | Online
As the goal of the project is to foster the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the open labour market through diversity management, in this event we will bring the perspective of companies sharing their experiences and knowledge of employing people with intellectual disabilities.
As the COVID-19 pandemic brought deep impacts in all areas of the life of people with intellectual disabilities, the employment situation is no different. Even though it is too soon to have a precise picture of the effects, there are some important impacts we can already see. In the event, we will also talk about the impact the pandemic has had on the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in Europe when it comes to employment.
Speakers confirmed: Klaus Candussi – Managing Director at Atempo, Melanie Wimmer – Staff member of Atempo, Anouk Van Hoofstadt – Senior Researcher at Antwerp Management School, Sarah Stemgée – Human Resources Director at Antwerp Management School, Thibeau Bastien – Junior Researcher at Antwerp Management School.
Click here to register

Safe online, safe at home: Together against gender-based violence
2020-11-25 16:00 - 16:30 | Online
As life moved inside home and social interactions went online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, data shows an alarming increase in harrassment and violence against women and girls online and offline. Raising awareness, providing resources and putting preventing measures and tools at the disposal of women who are facing such threats is now more important than ever.
In conversation with EU Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, Facebook’s Global Head of Women’s Safety Cindy Southworth will discuss the challenges and best practices in the fight against gender-based violence online and the priorities of the European Commission for the next 5 years. In this opening event, Cindy will also explore the tools and measures Facebook is putting in place to protect women and girls on its platforms.
Click here to register for the event
About the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence:
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November-10 December) is an annual international campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women and girls. It is coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership and mobilises individuals and organisations worldwide around actions to increase awareness, foster discussions and build tools and networks to fight against all forms of gender-based violence. In support of this initiative, the UN Secretary General calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

Tackling Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence Online and Off
2020-11-26 16:00 - 16:45 | Online
In their first Facebook live, STOP THE TRAFFIK CEO Ruth Dearnley meets David Miles, Head of Safety at Facebook. They’ll be talking about how platforms like Facebook and NGOs can team up in the fight against human trafficking. Human trafficking is a hidden, detestable crime, but using the power of technology, every person has a chance to defeat it. Watch the conversation and learn more.
Click here to register
About the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence:
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November-10 December) is an annual international campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women and girls. It is coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership and mobilises individuals and organisations worldwide around actions to increase awareness, foster discussions and build tools and networks to fight against all forms of gender-based violence. In support of this initiative, the UN Secretary General calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

European Day of Persons with disabilities: online conference this year
2020-12-01 - 2020-12-02 | Online
The European Day of Persons with Disabilities (EDPD) conference usually takes place in Brussels and is co-organised with the European Commission. This year, the EDPD will be a hybrid meeting, with some speakers in the room and an online audience. It will take place in the morning, on 1 December and 2 December.
The Access City Award event, which is linked to the conference, will take place on December 1 from 15:00 CET, with the anticipated participation of the Commissioner for Equality.
This year the conference’s topics are the next Disability Strategy (day 1) and COVID 19 (day 2).
More information and registration

Gender Based Violence: How Can Europe Do More To Help Women Achieve Financial Independence And Economic Empowerment
2020-12-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Financial independence and economic empowerment are pivotal to survivors’ recovery and ability to extract themselves from situations of abuse. A lack of economic independence can hinder women in reporting and leaving abusive relationships. The problem is compounded by the fact that women – in the EU, as all over the world – are still a minority on the labour market and especially in higher-level positions.
This webinar, presented by the Women Entrepreneurship Platform, will look at this link and discuss the challenges that women face in Europe when endeavouring to start a business, and provide ideas and solutions in terms of the policies needed at EU level to empower women to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
Click here to register
About the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence:
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November-10 December) is an annual international campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women and girls. It is coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership and mobilises individuals and organisations worldwide around actions to increase awareness, foster discussions and build tools and networks to fight against all forms of gender-based violence. In support of this initiative, the UN Secretary General calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

Women On The Web: Online Empowerment In The Covid-19 Era And Beyond
2020-12-01 16:00 - 17:30 | Online
Presented by the European Movement International and the European Women’s Lobby
The digital sphere can be an empowering space in our society and democracy, as well as a driver of connectivity and democratic participation. At the same time, the online world can become an echo chamber of our society, deepening existing power imbalances and inequalities while preventing underrepresented voices from being heard. To this end, women can find them themselves silenced, their rights undermined.
While the internet can be a tool of empowerment for women, online gender inequality and cyber violence are on the rise. Girls and women face an increasing amount of abuse and discrimination on digital platforms or are subject to bias through artificial intelligence algorithms. In light of the current pandemic, the internet has become a lifeline for many. Much of our daily lives, work, access to news and information, communication, and political debates now take place online, making the creation of a safe and inclusive online space more urgent than ever.
What do we know about the impact of digitalisation on democracy and participation of women? How does violence and discrimination online affect women in their political participation, the personal and professional development? How can we enhance actions at the EU level against the rise of gender inequality and gender-based violence online? How can civil society, social media platforms, and EU policy-makers work together to protect the rights of women online and help make cyberspace more inclusive and diverse?
Click here to register
About the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence:
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November-10 December) is an annual international campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women and girls. It is coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership and mobilises individuals and organisations worldwide around actions to increase awareness, foster discussions and build tools and networks to fight against all forms of gender-based violence. In support of this initiative, the UN Secretary General calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

Women of Europe Awards 2020
2020-12-02 16:00 - 17:30 | Online
Presented by the European Movement International and the European Women’s Lobby
The annual Women of Europe Awards are jointly organised by the European Movement International and the European Women’s Lobby, building upon the national awards of several National European Movement Councils, to highlight the contribution of women in promoting and advancing European issues, and to increase the involvement of women in debates about Europe and its future. The awards acknowledge and showcase inspiring women-led initiatives which lend a voice to women across Europe and defend European values such as democracy, inclusion and diversity.
Click here to register
About the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence:
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November-10 December) is an annual international campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women and girls. It is coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership and mobilises individuals and organisations worldwide around actions to increase awareness, foster discussions and build tools and networks to fight against all forms of gender-based violence. In support of this initiative, the UN Secretary General calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

Global Careers for Persons with Disabilities – Online Event
2020-12-03 | Online
Bringing international public sector organisations and Persons with Disabilities together during the International Day of Persons with Disability.
Following the great success of the first Global Careers for Persons with Disabilities event in October, Global Careers is teaming up once again with major international organisations to host their flagship recruitment event while celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disability on 3rd December 2020.
You can join this exciting online event from the comfort of your home or office. Just use your web browser and internet connection and you can engage with international employers – enabling you to explore a wealth of careers opportunities.
A full list of participating organisations will soon be available here.
Candidate Registration

Mind the Gap: The need for an inclusive response to the COVID-19 pandemic
2020-12-04 16:00 - 17:15 | Online
ENIL has organised side events as a part of the 13th Conference of States Parties to the CRPD. The aim of this side event is to focus on the role of organisations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) in contributing to the pandemic response. Areas addressed will be persons with disabilities living in institutions, those living in the community and underrepresented groups. After presenting the main findings of the COVID-19 DRM Global Report, examples of DPO response (i.e. good practices) gathered by the DRM Coordinating Group will be presented. This will be followed by a discussion of lessons learned, to be applied during the ongoing second wave of the pandemic and in the process of recovery. Recommendations made will be placed in the framework of governments’ obligations under the CRPD and the 2030 Agenda.
Click here to register
Click here to view the agenda
Organisers: Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, Ministry of Health and Welfare of the South Korea, Korean Disability Forum, European Network on Independent Living

Connecting & Empowering Women Through Immersive Technology
2020-12-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
Presented by Women in Immersive Technologies
The event will bring together experts to discuss how virtual, augmented and mixed technology can be used to connect and empower women.
Click here to register
About the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence:
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November-10 December) is an annual international campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women and girls. It is coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership and mobilises individuals and organisations worldwide around actions to increase awareness, foster discussions and build tools and networks to fight against all forms of gender-based violence. In support of this initiative, the UN Secretary General calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

Misogyny-Based Violent Extremism And Trends Around Incel/Volcel Communities
2020-12-08 16:00 - 17:30 | Online
Misogyny-based violence is a growing concern in the terrorism and violent extremism sector. In recent years there have been a number of attacks on civilians with misogyny-based motives and increasing links to “involuntarily and voluntarily celibate” (incel and volcel) communities online. There have also been increasing links between these communities with white supremacist and other nefarious subcultures. This panel will discuss current trends around the incel/volcel community, their links to real world harm, and potential areas for further cross- sector collaboration and risk mitigation.
The panel will gather experts on gender based violence to discuss incel/volcel trends and misogyny-based violent extremism, as a means of giving visibility to a morphing and relevant threat that is not yet socialised with wider audiences. We will also discuss how a multi-stakeholder approach to these issues can help mitigate the risk of real-world violence. The event will be livestreamed and participants will be able to submit questions upon registration to the event.
Click here to register
About the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence:
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November-10 December) is an annual international campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women and girls. It is coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership and mobilises individuals and organisations worldwide around actions to increase awareness, foster discussions and build tools and networks to fight against all forms of gender-based violence. In support of this initiative, the UN Secretary General calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

Ending Gender-Based Violence Online: What’s Next?
2020-12-10 15:00 - 16:30 | Online
The closing event of Facebook’s campaign around the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence will take stock of the discussions over remaining challenges, best practices and potential solutions to ensure women safety online and offline.
The event will feature speakers from UN Women, the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Women Lobby and Facebook.
Click here to register
About the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence:
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (25 November-10 December) is an annual international campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women and girls. It is coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership and mobilises individuals and organisations worldwide around actions to increase awareness, foster discussions and build tools and networks to fight against all forms of gender-based violence. In support of this initiative, the UN Secretary General calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.

Online Conference - "From Declarations to Action: Time for Social Rights!"
2021-03-05 14:00 - 16:00 | Online
As Covid-19 continues to rage across Europe and the world, the pandemic serves as a bitter and stark reminder of the need to invest in our societies and economies to make them more just, resilient and sustainable.
While this need is not new, it is in times of crisis that the European project must prove its validity as a project for the good of all through protecting people, supporting businesses, investing in equality, social progress and economic well-being. Such progress must have people at its centre, and the fulfilment of their needs for care, work, dignity, security and thriving future.
Today, the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) is called upon now more than ever to show in concrete terms its full value. The Action Plan for its implementation must live up to these strong demands by informing recovery and progress with the principles of social justice, investment in the common good, sustainable economy and democracy.
The European Alliance Stand Up for the EPSR invites you to the online conference, involving Europe’s institutions and key stakeholders, to explain what the European Pillar of Social Rights is, why Europe and its people need it and how it must become a reality on which to rebuild our future.
Interpretation will be available in English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish.
The link to the zoom online event will be shared upon registration.
Click here to access the agenda
Click here to register

Policy and Advocacy session: Gender inequalities in care and pay in the EU
2021-03-09 09:15 - 11:15 | COFACE
Gender equality in care and pay in Europe has always been a slow-paced struggle. However, faced with an unprecedented challenge such as the Covid-19 pandemic, unequal structures have even more intensified where women are once again those carrying the greatest burden of families and society. On International Women’s Day, COFACE Families Europe is therefore bringing into focus gender inequality in care and pay through a European expert seminar.
Different reports have stated that during the pandemic of Covid-19 the gender care gap is on the increase, with women taking up a disproportionate share of additional household and caring tasks, despite the fact that many men have been teleworking as well. Women have also been hit harder economically than men. This policy and advocacy session on gender inequalities is not only needed to shine a light on Covid-19 related circumstances, but is set in a crucial moment of social developments within the EU. The session comes after a year of the adoption of the European Commission’s Gender Equality Strategy (GES), a few months after the EPSCO Council adopted conclusions and guidelines aiming at closing the care gap, and the European Parliament voted its own report on the GES.
The objectives of the session are to:

Connect research, policy and practice of organisations working on gender equality from different perspectives.
Consider ways to strengthen advocacy and policy to close the gender care gap.

Read the full programme here
Register here

Autism and Mental Health Conference 2021- Online
2021-03-11 09:00 - 17:00 | Online
This conference will explore the impact of coronavirus on the mental health of autistic people. It will also address crucial issues around depression, anxiety, sleep, and more. Important updates will be heard and accounts from multiple perspectives.
Attendees will gain from hearing personal insight and practical guidance, and discover advances in evidence-based approaches.
Key topics of the conference include:

Coping with uncertainty and strategies for well-being.
Anxiety and interoception.
Assessment and treatment of mental health conditions for autistic people.

Who should attend:

Clinicians
CAMHS teams
Education professionals
Commissioners and local authorities
Social care professionals
Autistic people and family members

Read the full Programme here
Register here

Workshop on “European Disability Rights Strategy” - Online
2021-03-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
There are two rounds to this event dedicated to discussing the European Disability Rights Strategy. The First Round consists of the opening and the following Breakout Sessions:
1) Accessibility and Enjoying EU rights
2) Decent Quality of Life and Equal Participation
3) Promoting rights of persons with disabilities globally, Delivering the strategy and Leading by example
Register for the first round here
The second round consists of a closing and the following Breakout sessions.
1) Accessibility and Enjoying EU rights
2) Decent Quality of Life and Equal Participation
3) Promoting rights of persons with disabilities globally, Delivering the strategy and Leading by example
Register for the second round here
IMPORTANT: There will be two break-out sessions for both sessions. This means you will have the opportunity to participate in two out of the three break-out groups. You will be allocated to your groups on the basis of the topics you have a preference for, as well as your accessibility requirements. Please take care to specify clearly what accessibility requirements you have.

Is Telehealth Accessible for People with Disability? - Online Seminar
2021-03-25 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
The current COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that many people with disability experience difficulties accessing and using telehealth services.
To address this, World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have initiated the development of a global standard for accessibility of telehealth services.
Join WHO and the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) to discuss challenges and outline concrete solutions that healthcare providers and manufacturers of telehealth platforms need to implement to make telehealth accessible.
Objectives of the seminar
In the light of the above, a seminar will be held with the following objectives:

Discuss the use and potential of telehealth for people with disability
Identify difficulties that people with disability face when accessing telehealth services
Outline concrete solutions that healthcare providers and manufacturers of telehealth platforms need to ensure when delivering telehealth services

Read the Agenda here
Register here
For more information: disability@who.int

Advocating against the draft additional protocol to the Oviedo Convention - Online
2021-03-25 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
Topic: Advocating against the draft additional protocol to the Oviedo Convention: ending coercion in mental healthcare. Online launch of advocacy toolkit
Since 2014, the Council of Europe (regional organisation composed of 47 European countries) and its Committee of Bioethics are working on a piece of legislation to regulate involuntary treatment and placement in psychiatry – the so-called “draft additional protocol to the Oviedo Convention”. This initiative has been highly criticised by users and survivors of psychiatry, organisations of persons with disabilities, other civil society organisations, bodies within the Council of Europe and experts from the United Nations, including the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Despite the opposition, member states of the Council of Europe have continued to support the work on this draft protocol, ignoring their obligations under international law. A final draft has been approved and will be put for a vote in June 2021 within the Committee of Bioethics, for final adoption at the end of 2021 or early 2022.
The European Disability Forum and Mental Health Europe, together with numerous stakeholders are strengthening efforts to oppose the draft and request the withdrawal of the protocol. At this occasion, they are launching an advocacy toolkit against the draft additional protocol to the Oviedo Convention.
Speakers include representatives from the European Disability Forum, Mental Health Europe, the European Network of (Ex)-Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, Human Rights Watch, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and more!
Objectives:
• Present the latest draft additional protocol and understand why it violates human rights
• Understanding the process of adoption of the draft protocol
• Present the advocacy toolkit and how to use it
The webinar will provide International Sign interpretation and real-time captioning (English). The webinar will be recorded and shared later for those who cannot join.
Register for the webinar here

The Impact of COVID-19 on Residential Care Homes - Why Parliaments investigate and why the EP should, too - Online
2021-03-25 15:30 - 17:30 | Online
The impact of COVID-19 on users of and workers in residential care homes has been hard and tragic. As of 26 January, globally 41% of COVID-19 related fatalities occurred in care homes. In countries like in France, Belgium, Sweden or Spain, one out of twenty care home residents died as a result of COVID-19.
This does not come as a surprise: the care sector was already facing major problems in relation to breaches of human rights, understaffing and a lack of safety protocols before COVID-19. These were known and voiced by trade unions and NGOs long before the current crisis.
This event will show how Parliaments in Europe have used their investigative powers to shine a light on the political failures that caused such tragedy. These investigations are at the core of the institutions’ role, to hold government accountable. We want to highlight that also the European Parliament should step up and use its powers in a similar manner. Only a thorough reckoning with past and present allows us to strengthen our resilience in the future.
EPSU will be streaming the event live on the EPSU FACEBOOK page which you can see here
Click here for more information

Why and how should we prioritize marginalized communities in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Europe? - Online
2021-03-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
Public health means protection of the population as a whole and health for all. It is not only a question of fairness, but also failure to vaccinate certain social groups, who are often more susceptible because of pre-existing health conditions or their living environment, has repercussions for the rest of the community.

Join EPHA’s online discussion to explore how national governments and the European Commission can ensure that EU guidelines and national COVID-19 vaccination plans turn equitable access to vaccination into a tangible reality for all in Europe.
Click here to learn more
Click here to register

Autism-Europe's on-demand webinar "I can LEARN. I can WORK"- Online
2021-03-30 12:00 - 13:30 | Online- Zoom
Prior to World Autism Awareness Day, Autism-Europe (AE) will be hosting the webinar “I can LEARN. I can WORK”, as a part of its long-running awareness campaign 2020-2021. The webinar will take place on Tuesday, March 30th at 12:00 (CET) and an on-demand version will be available after April 30th.
Autistic people and their families, autism organisations, professionals, employers, EU policy-makers and the general population are called to take part of this collaborative event.
The first few months of 2021 have seen the release of the European Disability Strategy for 2021-2030 and the action plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. These landmarks to support the rights of people with disability in the European Union will set the pace for our campaign actions, as access to education and employment for autistic people have a strong presence within these instruments.
This webinar will voice AE’s demands and key messages based on common needs across Europe, and will also highlight the importance of:

Having a holistic approach to autism as access to education and employment are linked;
Supporting the implementation of the European Disability Strategy 2021-2030 that supports access to employment and quality education;
Supporting the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the Work Life Balance directive (an important instrument for carers’ leave) at national level;
Advocating for a EU guidelines on reasonable accommodation, so that all types of accessibility needs are taken into consideration.
Advocating for adequate use of EU funds to support inclusion
Advocating for an adequate response to the COVID-19 emergency that leaves no one behind; etc.

AE is calling autistic people and their families to participate by submitting a short video testimonial to be featured during the webinar. Videos can be submitted until Sunday 28th March 2021 (23:59 CET). More information here.
Download the agenda
The webinar will be in English only.
Register here
*There is a limited number of 500 attendees and interested parties should register as soon as possible.

World Autism Awareness Day
2021-04-02 | Worldwide
On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, which declares that every April 2 will mark World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). Each year, Autism-Europe works together with its member organisations to conduct campaigns that raise awareness of autism and the rights of people with autism across Europe.

More information

UN WAAD - Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World - Online
2021-04-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and heightened glaring inequalities around the world, especially when it comes to income and wealth distribution, access to health care, protection under the law, and political inclusion. Persons with autism have long faced many of these inequalities, which have only been further exacerbated by the pandemic. It’s a problem made worse by long recognized discriminatory hiring practices and workplace environments that present major obstacles for persons with autism; all of which contribute to the unemployment or severe underemployment of a large majority of adults on the autism spectrum.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaders at the United Nations in 2015 provide a blueprint for addressing the major challenges facing the world, including strategies for reducing inequalities that hinder prosperity for people and the planet. One of the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) – Decent Work and Economic Growth – is to promote full and productive employment and decent work for all, including persons with disabilities. Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities also recognizes “the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others,” and to a “work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities.”
Some employers have recently launched inclusive employment programmes, which accommodate people with diagnoses of autism and related conditions, such as ADHD, OCD, etc., often referred to as neurodivergent persons. Based on the experience gained from these programmes, and motivated by the desire to both be socially responsible and to gain a competitive advantage by benefitting from the skills and abilities of a more diverse talent pool, an increasing number of employers are now creating models to make the workplace and hiring practices more inclusive generally.
The pandemic has undoubtedly impacted the efforts of companies to implement these new models, at a time when the international economy is undergoing the worst economic recession since the great depression, with the loss of hundreds of millions of jobs. At the same time, new ways of working, including remote working and the use of new technologies, have created opportunities for employees on the autism spectrum that previously found it difficult to thrive in traditional workplace environments.
The 2021 World Autism Awareness Day observance will address these issues through a virtual event that will include moderated panel discussions with individuals on the autism spectrum who have themselves experienced the challenges and seen these new opportunities in the employment market.
The event is organized by the UN Department of Global Communications and UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Specialisterne Foundation.
As presented at the 2015 UN observance of World Autism Awareness Day, the mission of the Specialisterne Foundation is to leverage knowledge gained from the employment of autistic persons to support the creation of meaningful and fulfilling employment for one million persons, in a world where there are equal opportunities for all in the labour market.
Event Programme Overview
10:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
10:13 a.m. PANEL 1: Disparities and Discrimination Exposed by the Pandemic
10:33 a.m. PANEL 2: Ensuring Inclusion as we Build Back Better
10:53 a.m. Closing Remarks

Click here for more information about the event
Click here to register
