Autism Europe

EDF Webinar "Left behind? Women with disabilities during COVID-19"
2020-06-19 14:00 - 15:30 (Europe/Paris) | Online
With the COVID-19 pandemic, discrimination, abuses and human rights violations against women and girls with disabilities have worsened. What are the specific issues faced by women and girls with disabilities during the pandemic? How can we ensure that intersectionality be a mandatory component to the response to the pandemic to ensure that no women and girls are left behind?
The webinar will aim to:
• Outline the specific issues faced by women and girls with disabilities during the pandemic
• Discuss with EU actors and partners, including women’s organisations, how to work together to protect the rights of all women during and after the pandemic Share good practices and learnings on how to ensure responses to the pandemic that are inclusive of women and girls with disabilities
Moderator: Ana Peláez Narváez, Vice-President, European Disability Forum
Agenda
Opening and setting the scene – Ana Peláez Narváez, Vice-President, European Disability Forum
• Updates on situation of women and girls with disabilities – EDF women’s committee
• Good practice on actions taken during the pandemic – CERMI Women Foundation
• Response to the pandemic by the European women’s movement – Joanna Maycock, European Women’s Lobby
• Collecting data on women with disabilities – Dr Marre Karu, European Institute on Gender Equality
• The impact of pandemic on the implementation of the Gender Equality Strategy – Gender Equality Unit of the European Commission (tbc)
• Recommendations on next steps: nothing about COVID-19 without women with disabilities
o European Parliament FEMM Committee (tbc)
o UN Women Liaison Office to the European Union (tbc)
Q&A / open floor
The webinar will provide real-time captioning and international sign. The webinar will be recorded and shared later for those who cannot join. Here is the link for the real-time captioning https://www.text-on-tap.live/index.html#e=nxWG8sCUQS

Register here

Webinar: “Safety through inclusion: The case for emergency deinstitutionalisation”
2020-06-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
In this webinar, a panel including persons with disabilities and experts in disaster management, human rights and service provision will discuss the need for “emergency deinstitutionalisation” of persons with disabilities and how this could be achieved. The term “emergency deinstitutionalisation” refers to protecting disabled peoples’ basic rights to live in the community, getting them the support required to leave the institution in the short term, and subsequently providing any additional support and access to mainstream society, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The aim is to achieve the transition as fast as possible, while preventing against homelessness, absence of formal support services and over-reliance on informal care.
Speakers will include:

Catalina Devandas Aguilar, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Danlami Umaru Basharu, Chair, UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Dr George Nikolaidis, Chair, Lanzarote Committee, Council of Europe

The webinar will cover the following topics:

Immediate threats to the health and life of children and adults with disabilities in institutions, and the need to move people out of institutional care settings;
Emergency protections against irreparable harm through human rights law and international human rights systems;
How to protect persons with disabilities through community inclusion and emergency deinstitutionalisation;
The elements of emergency deinstitutionalisation strategies;
The role of a potential international commission to protect people with disabilities in institutions by calling for urgent deinstitutionalisation and development of community-based supports a matter of priority;
The feasibility of developing Emergency Deinstitutionalisation Guidelines, and for such guidance to be formally annexed to the International Health Regulations.

Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted in graphic detail the dangers inherent in congregate forms of residential care. Viruses spread like wildfire in institutional settings and pose a mortal threat to persons with disabilities, older persons, and children in alternative care. Emerging evidence shows the rates of mortality in institutions have been exceptionally high, in some cases accounting for between 40 – 60% of all deaths.
Many countries have initiated emergency strategies to respond to the heightened risks faced by sections of the population at increased risk of infection, including providing emergency shelters for the homeless, adopting decongestion strategies in penal facilities, and implementing schemes to provide remote primary health care assistance. A number of countries are in the stage of lifting emergency measures and planning for a possible second wave of the virus, including better preparedness of social and health care services.
But many countries have pursued failed strategies in the field of residential social care which have focused on locking down institutions and prohibit any contact with the outside world, instead of triggering emergency procedures to rehouse people with proper support in the community. Such responses continue, even where the rest of the population has been allowed to return to many of the usual activities.
Practical information:
The webinar will be held on Zoom. Closed captioning will be provided. International Sign will be provided if required by any of the registered participants.
There will be a follow-up webinar Friday June 12 organized by Disability Rights International (DRI) on challenges and implementation in the Americas, featuring: Maria Soledad Cisternas, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Disability, Amalia Gamio, Member, UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Joel Hernandez, President, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Esmeralda Arosemena, Commissioner & Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Children, IACHR, and Silvia Quan, President, Colectivo Vida Independiente, former member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. For more information, see here.

To register click here

Conférences en ligne ASD-EAST
2020-06-08 08:00 - 2020-06-28 17:00 | Online
Le projet ASD-EAST a le plaisir d’annoncer quatre conférences en ligne pour présenter le programme de formation pour enseignants et le matériel de formation du projet à des enseignants spécialisés et autres parties intéressées de toute l’Europe. Les partenaires du projet ASD-EAST ont décidé de tenir ces conférences virtuellement en raison de la situation actuelle du COVID-19. Les conférences seront présentées sur le site web du projet ASD-EAST par les pays partenaires, à savoir la Belgique, la Croatie, la Pologne et la République de Macédoine du Nord. Les vidéos des conférences resteront accessibles aux participants pendant trois semaines, du 8 au 28 juin.
Ce qui est prévu au programme :

présentation du programme de formation pour les enseignants et le matériel développé par le projet ASD-EAST ;
exploration du rapport de recensement ;
discussion des résultats dévaluation
présentation des recommandations du projet pour les décideurs politiques
diffusion d’informations sur les formations des partenaires locaux du projet

Nous espérons que vous vous joindrez à nous pour cet événement afin de prendre connaissance de nos conclusions et d’avoir l’occasion de discuter de problématiques avec des personnes qui soutiennent les enfants autistes dans l’éducation.
Inscription aux conférences :
Belgique
http://asd-east.org/online-conferences/brussels/
Croatie
http://asd-east.org/online-conferences/zagreb/
République de Macédoine du Nord
http://asd-east.org/online-conferences/skopje/
Pologne
http://asd-east.org/online-conferences/krakow

En ce qui concerne le projet ASD-EAST :
Le projet ASD-EAST vise à aider les enseignants spécialisés à promouvoir l’inclusion des enfants autistes dans l’éducation.

ASD-EAST Online Conferences
2020-06-08 08:00 - 2020-06-28 17:00 | Online
The ASD-EAST project is delighted to announce four one-day online conferences to share the projects teacher education curriculum and training materials with specialists teachers across Europe. ASD-EAST partners have decided to host the conferences virtually due to the current COVID-19 situation. The conferences will be hosted on the ASD-EAST website by partner countries Belgium, Croatia, Poland and Republic of North Macedonia. The videos from the conferences will remain available for attendees to access for three weeks from the 8th – 28th June.
The conferences will:

Outline the teacher education curriculum and training materials developed by ASD-EAST
Explore the mapping report
Discuss the evaluation findings
Present the projects’ recommendations for policy makers
Provide information about the projects’ local partner trainings

We hope that you will join us for this event to hear about our findings and to have the opportunity to discuss issues with people who support children with autism in education.

About the ASD-EAST Project:
The ASD-EAST project aims to support specialist teachers in addressing the inclusion of children with autism in education.

European Commission Webinar: Helpdesk on Support to Social Services to Respond to Covid-19 Crisis
2020-06-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
On 3rd June 2020, 10h00-12h00 CEST, the European Commission will be hosting a virtual helpdesk, in the form of a webinar, that will provide advice to social services on how to access the EU’s Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (CRII and CRII Plus).
Launched in response to the outbreak, the initiative seeks to re-direct unspent EU Structural Funds to national, regional & local communities fighting COVID-19. Bringing together the European Commission, Managing Authorities, support services providers and users, this webinar will address how this initiative can boost funding for social services.
The webinar will be the opportunity for you to engage with the European Commission and Managing Authorities and shape the measures that can boost CRII funding for social services. If you have additional or pressing funding needs linked to your response to the COVID-19 outbreak, this event will provide a unique space to communicate with the European Commission and Managing Authorities and potentially transform your funding needs into EU funded projects!
Click here to register

CANCELLED: Europe in Action conference: Quality education for all.- Vienna, Austria
2020-05-27 - 2020-05-29 | Catamaran, Johann-Böhm-Platz 1, Vienna, 1020, Austria
This conference has been cancelled due to the current Covid-19 situation.
Europe in Action is an annual conference which brings together more than 200 people with intellectual disabilities, their families and professionals. They discuss issues important to them and share experiences and ideas to advance inclusion. Europe in Action 2020 is organised by Inclusion Europe together with Lebenshilfe Austria. The topic fro 2020 is Quality education for all.
The conferences are organised by Inclusion Europe and a national partner organisation (Inclusion Europe member). The first Europe in Action conference was organised in 2003. The latest Europe in Action took place in Vilnius, Lithuania, in June 2019.
Register here

Advancing inclusive education throughout the life-span

The conference aims at setting the stage looking at aspects of education as an essential part of life.

The goal is to start a conversation for inclusive education becoming the new normal.
The keynotes, workshops and “walkshops” demonstrate how well-working examples of good practices can be facilitated and turned into new perspectives.
Discussions focus on how crucial stakeholders, policy makers, teachers, students, families and communities can take action and contribute within their areas of responsibility.

Areas of education
The different stages of education form the basis for the conference:

Pre-school
School
University
Vocational training and further education
People with disabilities as teachers and education professionals

Programme concept note

The Istanbul Convention: preventing and combating violence against women and girls with disabilities
2020-05-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Online
This webinar will be an opportunity to hear from the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) on the relevance of the Istanbul Convention for women and girls with disabilities and how to contribute to its implementation with the goal to end violence against all women and girls. We will also be joined by some organisations of persons with disabilities who monitored the implementation of the Convention and reported on violence of women and girls with disabilities to GREVIO to hear about their experience.
Moderator: Ana Peláez Narváez, Vice-President, European Disability Forum

The speakers will address the following points:
• The Istanbul Convention and its importance for the disability movement
• The role of GREVIO as a monitoring mechanism: how to contribute from the civil society to the process
• Sharing good practices: reporting on women and girls with disabilities

Agenda:
14:00 – 14:40
The Istanbul Convention and its importance for the disability movement
Christina Olsen, Administrator, Secretariat of the Istanbul Convention monitoring mechanism
Questions & Answers
14:40 – 15:20
The role of GREVIO as a monitoring mechanism: how civil society can contribute to the process
Biljana Brankovic, Member of the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO)
Questions & Answers
15:20 – 16:00
Panel on sharing good practices: reporting on women and girls with disabilities
• Luisa Bosisio, Italian Disability Forum
• Isabel Caballero, CERMI Women’s Foundation
• Claire Desaint, Femmes pour le Dire, Femmes pour Agir
Questions & Answers
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. Here is the link for the real-time captioning https://synchshare.de/live/edf.
Register here.

Online conference: ‘Road to employment for Persons with Disabilities.’
2020-05-04 10:00 - 2020-05-05 16:00
EASPD and LADAPT are delighted to announce a new online conference: ‘Road to employment for Persons with Disabilities.’
Via the conference’s online panel discussion and workshop sessions, expert speakers and participants from across the world will come together to exchange and discuss how we can work to promote inclusive employment for persons with disabilities.
Held on the 4th-5th May the conference will:

Explore how we can all work together to create new opportunities for the employment of persons with disabilities;
Discuss the impact of inclusive employment within the lifecycle of individuals;
Identify the concrete steps that must be taken towards more inclusive employment in the EU;
Learn from the latest innovative practices in the social service and business sector via the winners of our ‘Employment for All’ Award.

Real-time captioning in English, as well as French and Croatian interpretation will be provided. To read the full programme, click here
To register, click here

POSTPONED: Conference: 'Thriving & Autism - Preparing for Success in Adulthood'
2020-04-30 | The Poseidon Hall, AX Seashells Resort, Dawret il-Qawra, Saint Paul’s Bay, 1902, Malta
Conference postponed until a later date.
This one day conference explores the importance of preparing children with autism to have successful and fulfilling lives in adulthood. It will take us on a journey which starts with early intervention and moves on to school years. It addresses issues such as autism and girls, sexuality, mental health, parenting as well as employment.
The conference will draw on the personal and professional experience of autistic people and those working in the field and will be valuable to all stakeholders – from persons with autism to parents as well as professionals working directly with the autistic community.
More details and registration

Webinar on "European Electronic Communications Code: Ensuring accessibility of telecom services for persons with disabilities"
2020-04-22 16:00 - 17:00
The European Disability Forum is delighted to announce its Webinar on “European Electronic Communications Code: Ensuring accessibility of telecom services for persons with disabilities”.
This webinar will aim to:

provide an overview of the Code, including its scope, objectives, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, the role of the national regulators and Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC);
advise organisations of persons with disabilities on how to effectively advocate for ambitious transposition of the European law with stronger provisions on accessibility and protection of consumers with disabilities in national law, notably through the promotion of relevant accessibility standards and the European Accessibility Act;
introduce the main recommendations of the EDF toolkit on transposition of EECC, which will be published before the webinar.

Moderators:
• Marie Denninghaus: EDF Policy Coordinator
Speakers:
• Hannele Lahti: Policy Officer, European
• Alejandro Moledo: EDF Policy Coordinator
• Mher Hakobyan: EDF Accessibility Officer
The webinar will provide real-time captioning and international sign. The webinar will be recorded and shared later for those who cannot join.
Link for streaming text https://www.streamtext.net/text.aspx?event=CFI-EDF
Register here

Webinar on "Poverty and social exclusion of persons with disabilities"
2020-04-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
The European Disability Forum is delighted to announce its Webinar on “Poverty and social exclusion of persons with disabilities”.
Join the European Disability Forum and the European Anti-Poverty Network for our free webinar on the 22nd of April, between 11:00 and 12:00 CET. This webinar will be an opportunity to present the key outcomes of our research and summarise the main issues persons with disabilities still face with regards to poverty and social exclusion. We will hear first-hand some personal testimonies of persons with disabilities who have lived experience of the issues presented. We will also be joined by a representative from the European Anti-Poverty Network to discuss what actions are taking place in the field of poverty at the EU level, and how the needs of persons with disabilities can be mainstreamed into them. Finally, we will invite a representative from the European Commission to explore how future EU policies might address this issue, including the future Disability Strategy.
Moderator: Haydn Hammersley – Social Policy Officer at EDF
Speakers:
• Vera Hinterdorfer – Vice-President of the European Anti-Poverty Network
• Elena Schubert – European Commission, Policy Officer – Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion – Social Affairs – Disability and Inclusion
• Stijn Broecke – Senior economist in the Employment, Labour and Social Affairs Directorate of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• Loredana Dicsi – EDF
The webinar will provide real-time captioning and international sign. The webinar will be recorded and shared later for those who cannot join.
Link for streaming text https://www.streamtext.net/text.aspx?event=CFI-EDF
Registration here

34th Annual Conference of Social Firms Europe (CEFEC) Inclusion by employment.- Dortmund, Germany
2020-03-18 09:30 - 2020-03-19 16:00 | Messe Dortmund ( or Westfalenhallen), Rheinlanddamm 200, Dortmund, 44139, Germany
With the 34th CEFEC conference in March 2020 in Dortmund , Social Firms Europe CEFEC focuses on companies under the motto “Inclusion through work” and contribute to an inclusive European labor market.
Around 100 inclusive companies will present their broad portfolio of services and products at the fair.
For more inclusion in the European labor market, CEFEC seeks dialogue with politicy-makers . CEFEC will welcome Katrin Langensiepen as Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs of the European Parliament. They also expect representatives from the EU Commission, the BMAS, and the European Disability Forum.
Both in plenary and inworkshops , CEFEC will address important issues concerning the employment of people with disabilities and disadvantages. They talk about the success factors of inclusive employment and the benefits of working together in European networks for more inclusion in the labor market. Leadership in inclusion companies, training of people with disabilities and promising business concepts in the field of “Green & Social Business” are further topics that we take up in our workshops.
In addition to the inclusion trade fair, best practice examples play an important role at the CEFEC conference. With the award of the Rudolf Freudenberg Prize and the European Social Firm of the Year Award, inclusive and social enterprises are honored for their special business ideas and employment concepts.
More information

Congress of Autismus Deutschland: Autism - Strength or Disorder.- Lübeck, Germany
2020-03-06 - 2020-03-08 | Musik- und Kongresshalle Lübeck, Willy-Brandt-Allee 10, Lübeck, 23554, Germany
Autism-Europe’s member Autismus Deutschland invites you to its 16th Autism Congress from 6 to 8 March 2020 in the beautiful Hanseatic city of Lübeck. The topic of the congress “Autism – Strength or Disorder” will be examined from many sides. I look forward to stimulating lectures and exciting discussions.
***The conference is currently fully booked***
Autismus Deutschland celebrates its anniversary looking back on 50 years of self-help, in which parents have managed to set up therapy centers and residential facilities for their autistic children in order to enable them to live with dignity and the greatest possible independence.
Since 1979, the Schleswig-Holstein State Association (Help for the Autistic Child, LV Schleswig-Holstein eV), based in Neumünster, and the Regional Association Elbe-Trave (autism Elbe-Trave eV) based in Lübeck, have been working politically and therapeutically since 2014 improving the care of people on the autism spectrum.
Download the programme flyer (in German)

Shaping the EU agenda for disability rights 2020-2030.- Brussels, Belgium
2020-02-26 | European Economic and Social Committee- JDE Building, 99 rue Belliard – 6th floor – Foyer, Brussels, 1040, Belgium
The European Economic and Social Committee will hold a conference to shape the new EU agenda for disability rights 2020-2030 on 26 February 2020 in the EESC’s premises.
The aim of the conference is to present the EESC’s proposal for the new strategy at a crucial moment in the EU landscape. With a new European Commission, a new European Parliament and a new budget programming period, it is now the perfect timing for a new Disability Strategy that fully takes into account the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCPRD), the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The conference will tackle various areas of work of the EU, drawing attention to the crosscutting character of disability rights.
More information and registration

International Asperger's Day
2020-02-18 | Worldwide
International Asperger’s Day falls on February 18th. This event, which aims to highlight the significance of Asperger syndrome for both society and individuals, also illustrates one of the many challenges to the newcomer trying to understand the autism spectrum. Such a person might reasonably assume that Asperger syndrome is a condition in its own right.
On the 18 June 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its new International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). The ICD catalogues different pathologies and conditions in order to provide a common language to inform and control their development, as well as comparing and sharing data following standard criteria between hospitals, regions and countries in different time periods. To do this, the diagnostic terms are converted into around 55 000 unique alphanumeric codes.
The ICD-11 updates the diagnostic criteria for autism, and is now more in line the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) published in 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association. This is to say that it includes Asperger’s Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and certain other generalised developmental disorders, within the category of ‘Autism’.
More information

1st Regional Autism Conference (RAC 2020).- Muscat, Oman
2020-01-24 - 2020-01-26 | Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, Al Irfan, Airport Heights, Muscat, Al Athaiba P.C, 130, Oman
In view of the current situation in Oman and neighboring countries, this regional conference looks to bring light to children on the autism spectrum and related health disorders in Oman. Acting as a platform for integration between different regional and local stakeholders, this integrative multidisciplinary conference looks to target parents, educators and health care professionals.
The Conference aims to bring light to autistic children and related health disorders, targeting parents, educators and healthcare professionals. Keynote international and local experts will provide the latest scientific information with the most recent evidence based knowledge through a series of lectures, presentations, panel discussions and comprehensive workshops.
The conference aims to develop a co-operative and integrated approach for planning, commissioning and managing autism services within governmental organizations. Furthermore, to improve technical skills, boost international awareness and enhance collaborations and exchange of ideas.
Overall Objectives
The objective of the conference is to improve technical skills, boost international awareness and enhance collaborations and exchange of ideas. Over the duration of the conference, the suggested themes will be tackled by the proposed international, regional and local experts in the following ways:

State-of-the-art Lectures: Each international expert is a leader in the field that he/she will speak about
Presentations: On research output from local, regional and international scholars. It will enhance collaboration, exchanging knowledge and enriching experts’ input
Workshops: To target educational staff, social developmental staff and primary care staff. These workshops will be delivered by experts in specific fields
Panel Discussions: Open to all participants, to be delivered and chaired by international, regional and local experts that will educate and eliminate all misconceptions about individuals, especially children with autism

Specific Objectives

To establish a common understanding of autism between Ministries in Oman and regional neighbours on current approaches for measuring and diagnosing children with an ASD
To identify needs and gaps in the literature and practice of caring for autistic children
To identify best ways to advocate for better care of children with autism
To provide basic training methods to participants who are seeking to better understand caring for children and other individuals with autism
To review legislation in Oman and neighbouring countries on the protection of children with autism and other disabilities

More information
Registration

Disability Intergroup and New Years Reception.- Brussels, Belgium
2020-01-22 18:00 - 20:00 | European Parliament in Brussels – ASP 0G Salon, Place de Luxembourg 100, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
On December 12, the European Parliament formally confirmed the re-establishment of the Disability Intergroup. To celebrate this achievement, DPOs and other related stakehodlers are kindly invited to join an informal discussions with the most active Members of the European Parliament on disability rights.
Click here to register
Autism-Europe’s call to re-establish the Disability Intergroup at the European Parliament (July 2019)

Towards Inclusion conference.- Brussels, Belgium
2020-01-16 08:00 - 16:30 | Charlemagne Building, Rue de la Loi 170, Brussels, 1040, Belgium
The European Expert Group on the transition from institutional to community-based care (EEG), of which Autism-Europe is a member, will hold the “Towards Inclusion conference” to mark the 10 years since the release of the Špidla report.The conference is supported by DG Employment of the European Commission.
The purpose of the conference is to evaluate the progress made during the 10 years since the Špidla report:

how has the EU contributed to the transition from institutional to community-based care;
what needs to be done during the next 10 years?

Among the speakers are people who experience institutionalisation, experts on transition to community-based care and high-profile representatives of the European Commission.
Download the agenda of the conference
The EEG is also working on a research to evaluate the situation with institutionalisation in EU countries. The results of this research will be presented at the time of the conference.

Half-day conference ETTECEC-Together we grow. Brussels-Belgium
2019-12-04 09:00 - 13:00 | KU Leuven Hermes, Brussels Campus, Rue d'Assaut 2, Brussels, Belgium
If you are a pre-school teacher working with autistic children, this free conference will give you the opportunity to:
• discover a freely available training and online tools to develop your skills to respond to the needs of children on the autism spectrum;
• meet teachers from various European countries to share their experience in responding to the needs of children on the autism spectrum.
More information
This event, organised by Autism-Europe, will share the results of the work undertaken by partners from Spain, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Belgium in the framework of the Erasmus+ project ETTECEC.
Simultaneous translation into English and French will be provided.
Places are limited.
Register here by November 30 2019

European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2019.- Brussels, Belgium
2019-11-28 - 2019-11-29 | Charlemagne Building,, Rue de la Loi 170, Brussels, 1000, Belgium
Hosted by the European Commission, in partnership with the European disability forum, this event is the opportunity for the EU to mainstream disability issues and to raise awareness of the everyday- life challenges faced by persons with disabilities.

Politicians, high-level experts and self-advocates will attend the conference to discuss the challenges, the solutions and the projects for improving policies dedicated to persons with disabilities.
The 2019 conference will be an opportunity to discuss the preliminary findings of the public consultation on the European disability strategy 2010-2020, as well as the delegates’ expectations for the next decade. Inspiration from outside the EU is also to be brought and participants will hear about the inclusion in sport and discuss how it can be improved.
How to participate
Please e-mail the European Commission explaining your interest in taking part in the conference.
Access city award 2020 ceremony
The access city award 2020 ceremony will be the occasion for the European Commission to unveil the name of the award’s 10th winner. Let us all celebrate the access city award’s 10th anniversary! This year, 47 cities sent their applications.
Social media
Follow and comment on the event on social media: #EDPD2019 #EUDisability, #EUAccessCity and #WeAreEUCitizens

Autism-Europe Council of Administration meeting. Brussels, Belgium
2019-11-16 - 2019-11-17 | Leopold Hotel Brussels EU, Rue du Luxembourg 35, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
In accordance with the statutes for our organisation, the 2019 Autism- Europe’s Council of Administration second meeting will take place in Brussels, Belgium, on November 16 and 17, 2019.
Side activities will also be organized. All the working documents related to these meetings will be emailed to registered participants at a later date.

Innovation in Autism Practice: The Future is Here.- Glasgow, Scotland (UK)
2019-11-14 | The Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow, 99 Gordon St, Glasgow, G1 3SF, United Kingdom
Following on from the success of our International Conference, “Innovation in Autism Practice: The Future is Calling”, Autism-Europe’s member Scottish Autism (SA) is pleased to announce a further, one day conference to take place in the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow on Thursday, 14 November 2019.
“Innovation in Autism Practice: The Future is Here” seeks to explore how our evolving understanding of autism can, and should, influence service provision. SA will place autistic perspectives and experiences at the heart of these discussions.
SA is delighted to welcome autistic keynote speakers including Sarah Hendrickx, Dean Beadle, Damian Milton as well as acclaimed keynotes such as Dr James Barrett.
This conference will be of interest to any professional who seeks to develop their practice in keeping with current thinking. Autistic people, parents and carers will find an event where they are welcome and their perspectives are valued.
More information and registration

Shaping the EU agenda for disability rights 2020-2030 - Brussels
2019-10-21 09:00 - 13:30 | European Economic and Social Committee- Room VMA1, Rue Van Maerlant 2, Brussels
What lessons can be learned from the current EU Disability Strategy 2010-2030? What could be changed or improved in the next EU Strategy 2020-2030?
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is organising a public hearing on “Shaping the EU agenda for disability rights 2020-2030” on 21 October 2019, where we will try to give an answer to these questions.
Programme
09:00 – 09:30 | Welcome coffee and registration
09:30 – 10:00 | Opening session
Moderator: Madi Sharma, European Economic and Social Committee

Ioannis Vardakastanis, Rapporteur of the opinion on “Shaping the EU agenda for disability rights 2020-2030”, European Economic and Social Committee

10:00 – 10:20 | Keynote speakers

Marc Priestley, Professor of Disability Policy, Leeds University

10:20 – 11:30 | Session 1
Moderator: Gunta Anca, European Economic and Social Committee

Monica Silvana González, MEP, European Parliament
Representative, DG EMPL, Unit for Disability and Inclusion
Antero Kiviniemi, Finnish presidency
Representative, European Ombudsman
Representative, Fundamental Rights Agency
Representative, Committee of the Regions

11:40 – 12:50 | Session 2
Moderator: Bo Jansson, European Economic and Social Committee

Catherine Naughton, European Disability Forum
Representative, Social Platform
Representative, European trade Union Confederation (ETUC)
Representative, Business Europe

12:50 – 13:00 | Conclusions

Ioannis Vardakastanis, Rapporteur of the opinion on “Shaping the EU agenda for disability rights 2020-2030”, European Economic and Social Committee

Interpretation requested from French, English, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Czech, Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish into French, English, Italian, Spanish and Czech.
More information

9th ENIL Freedom Drive-Burssles, Belgium
2019-10-01 - 2019-10-03 | Brussels
The Freedom Drive is one of the key campaigns of the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) – held every two years since 2003. It provides supporters of the Independent Living Movement with the unique opportunity to meet MEPs and promote human rights issues, as well to share experiences and ideas with colleagues from around Europe.
Its rich programme includes the ENIL General Assembly, a conference with sessions on multiple topics, a meeting of the ENIL Youth Network and the culmination – a noisy march to the European Parliament where Freedom Drivers meet with MEPs.
The first six editions of the Freedom Drive took place in Strasbourg, until 2015, when for the first time the location was changed to Brussels for strategic reasons.
More information
Download the dossier for participants
Download the Freedom Drive Demands 2019
Schedule of events*
30 September – Monday
Arrival of Freedom Drivers
1 October – Tuesday
10:30 – 17:30 Workshops on topics related to Independent Living (click here to find out more)
10:00 – 18:00 Meetings with MEPs, arranged by national delegations
2 October – Wednesday
9:00 – 10:00 Gathering in front of the Parc du Cinquantenaire
10:00 – 12:00 Protest march for Independent Living
15:00 – 17:00 Hearing on Freedom of Movement in the Parliament
17:30 – 21:30 30th Birthday Party
3 October – Thursday
10:00 – 14:00 Conference on Independent Living
15:30 – 17:30 ENIL General Assembly
18:00 – 20:00 Side events (World Independent Living Network meeting, ENIL Youth General Assembly)
4 October – Friday
Departure of Freedom Drivers
*This agenda is subject to changes.

2019 Cork Autism Conference - Autism: No Limits, Just Possibilities.- Cork, Ireland
2019-09-22 08:00 - 18:00 | Clayton Hotel Silversprings, WH3G+PJ, Cork, Ireland
Are you a parent, family member or professional caring or supporting autistic children or adults? At the 2019 Cork Autism Conference you will learn tools, strategies and insights which will help you to best support and empower the lives of autistic people.
This conference will address approaches to issues from first diagnosis, early intervention to adulthood. The event provides a unique forum for parents, families, caregivers, autistic adults, employers, educators, professionals, agencies, advocates and anyone with an interest in autism.
This year’s conference provides a unique forum for parents, families, caregivers, autistic adults, employers, educators, professionals, agencies, advocates and anyone with an interest in autism.
Featured speakers

Dr. Peter Vermeulen
Connor Ward
Anna Kennedy OBE
Geoff Evans
Jessie Hewitson
The Cork Autism Conference 2019 has been independently recognised by the CPD Standards Office. This is the gold standard of CPD accreditation and means attending the Cork Autism Conference will be able to offer even more benefits to delegates and organisations across all professions and sectors when it comes to their professional development.

Click here to register

National Autism Conference AsIAm.- Dublin, Ireland
2019-09-20 08:30 - 2019-09-21 17:30 | The Grand Hotel Malahide, Grove Road, Malahide, K36 XT65, Ireland
Autism-Europe’s member AsIAm annual National Autism Conference will take lace in The Grand Hotel, Malahide, Co. Dublin on Friday 20th September and Saturday 21st September 2019.
This year, the theme will be “Building Partnerships” – exploring the need for close collaboration between professionals supporting autistic people, the autism community, and the wider society. Every session will be co-presented by members of the autism community and relevant professionals, many of whom themselves are autistic.
AsIAm will post about this year’s Conference across all of our platforms using the hashtag #AsIAmConf19, and encourage you to do the same!
Friday 20th September is a professional development seminar targeting healthcare, education and social care in particular as well as policy. Saturday 21st September is our Autism Community Conference.
Please note that this agenda below is provisional and subject to change, and that keynote and workshop speakers will be confirmed in the time leading up to the conference.

Friday 20th September – Professional Development Seminar
First Keynote – Professionals as Respectful Facilitators – Professor Andy McDonnell and Joan McDonald
Morning Workshops –
1. “What I Wish My Teacher Knew”
2. Accessible Healthcare Services
3. Creating Supportive Environments
4. Effective Communication For All
Second Keynote – Building the Bridge into the World of Employment
Afternoon Workshops –
1. Autism-Friendly Toolkit for Schools
2. Supporting Positive Mental Health Throughout the Life Cycle
3. Fostering Independence and Self-Esteem in Adult Life
4. Autism-Friendly Hospital Experiences
Third Keynote – The Importance of “Autism-Proofing” Your Service – Sarah Hendrickx
Voices of Our Community – Adopting a Strengths-Based Approach

Saturday 21st September – Community Conference
First Keynote – Partnership Through Respect – Professor Andy McDonnell and Joan McDonald
Morning Workshops –
1. Schools as Supportive Partners for Learning
2. Inclusive Employment Partnerships
3. Working Together to Promote Independence
4. Managing Stress and Anxiety in Everyday Life
Second Keynote – The Environment as a Partner – Dr. Magda Mostafa
Afternoon Workshops –
1. Supportive Workplace Environments
2. Autism-Friendly School Experiences
3. The Journey to Building Self-Esteem and Confidence
4. Well-Being and Self-Care Survival Guide
Third Keynote – Georgia Harper and Sam Ahern – As seen on Channel 4’s ‘Are You Autistic?’
Voices of Our Community – Reaching Me Through My Interests

Building Social Europe: Flagship Conference.- Helsinki, Finland
2019-09-16 11:00 - 2019-09-18 13:30 | Folkhälsans Huvudbyggnad, Topeliuksenkatu 20, Helsinki, 00250, Finland
The Social Platform, of which Autism Europe is a member, organises the second Flagship Conference, that take place during a very crucial time: European leaders will be preparing the next EU legislature following the European elections results, negotiating, nominating and electing the future European Commission and filling in EU top jobs.
All this will be taking place against the backdrop of growing popular mobilisation for greater social justice and democracy, stopping and reversing an environmental crisis and securing the future for the next generations.
As civil society organisations active in the social sector, we will take a leading role in that debate and we will take our responsibility to make sure that the common good prevails over the interest of a few.
Our Flagship Conference will be an opportunity for our members and actors from a wider European social movement to debate with national and EU level decision-makers on how the European Union can prevent further decay in social justice, democracy and trust in the EU.
In particular we will look at:
1. Participatory democracy: How can civil society become the missing link between people and decision-makers?
2. Social justice: How to make the economy work for people?
This Flagship Conference 2019 is listed as an official side event of Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the Europe Union 2019.
More information and programme
More about workshops and study visits
More information about the Flagship Conference 2018

Autism-Europe's 12th International Congress.- Nice, France
2019-09-13 - 2019-09-15 | Palace of Congresses and Exhibitions Nice Acropolis, 1 Esplanade John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Nice, 06000, France
Autism-Europe’s 12th International Congress will take place in Nice, France, between the 13 and 15 September 2019.
The Congress, organised this year in Nice by Autisme France in partnership with Autism-Europe, will bring together more than 2,000 people on the autism spectrum, parents, professionals, carers and other interested parties from 80 different countries from all over the world to sharing advances in practical and scientific knowledge about autism to as wide an audience as possible.
Our international congresses take place every three years and have become one of the cornerstones of the work we do to bring together autistic people, families, researchers and professionals from across Europe and beyond, so as to exchange state of the art knowledge and experiences. Where our congresses really shine out in comparison to others on the subject of autism, is that they focus particularly on social questions around autism, and practical ways in which we can structure our societies to ensure that nobody is left behind.
The representatives of the media interested in being accredited to cover the Congress should register in the website of the Congress.
Useful links
Visit the official website of the Congress (available in English and French)

Enhancing student experience: innovative support tools for students with disabilities.- Brussels, Belgium
2019-09-12 09:00 - 17:00 | Odisee Campus Brussels, Stormstraat 2, Brussels, 1000
At this year’s conference, together with international organisations, SIHO will be showcasing innovative tools that assist students with disabilities to feel connected, resourceful and competent to participate in higher education and international mobility programmes.
Students with disabilities have different needs, requiring a tailor-made and flexible approach. SIHO, the Support Centre for Inclusive Higher Education, responds to student needs by developing support tools that enhance student experience in an accessible way.

Registration form

Conference programme
9:00 Registration and coffee
9:30 Welcome and introduction
Valérie Van Hees | Coordinator | SIHO
9:40 Qualitative support for students with autism spectrum disorder
Prof. dr. Herbert Roeyers | Ghent University – Academic Collaborative Centre for Autism
10:10 Roadmap: a support tool for students with autism spectrum disorder
Lisa Herman – Valérie Van Hees | SIHO in cooperation with Student Counselling Office Ghent University -Academic Collaborative Centre for Autism
11:10 Coffee Break
11:30 Book-a-Book: facilitating access to learning materials for students with disabilities
Roel Vuegen – Bart Peeters | SIHO – KU Leuven Bibliotheekdiensten – LIBIS
12:10 Lunch – networking
13:10 Inclusive Mobility: enhancing qualitative international mobility experiences for students with disabilities
Dominique Montagnese | SIHO – Confia International
Erasmus Student Network | ESN International
14:00 Strategies towards equity, diversity and inclusion at higher education institutions in Europe: INVITED project survey outcomes
Anna-Lena Claeys-Kulik | European University Association
14:30 Coffee Break
14:50 Panel qualitative support for students with disabilities in the various countries: on the way to inclusive education
A panel of international experts will inspire participants with strategies, policies and case studies that improve inclusion and the student experience of students with disabilities in higher education and international mobility programmes.
Panelists

Dr. Marijke De Pauw | Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities Unia
Erasmus Student Network | ESN International
Anna-Lena Claeys-Kulik | European University Association
Anke Schoonhoven | SIHO

Moderator Dominique Montagnese | SIHO – Confia International
16:10 Closing speeches
Represent Cabinet Flemish Minister of Education
Dr. Imran Uddin | president SIHO
16:30 Reception
Target audience
This conference will bring together policy advisers, coordinators, disability practitioners, international officers, teaching staff, student services staff, students, national agencies, politicians, board members and all others interested in supporting students with disabilities in a qualitative manner.
Information support tools
Learn more about Roadmap, Book-a-Book and Inclusivemobility.eu

Webinar on the European Accessibility Act.-Online
2019-06-17 14:30 - 15:30 | Online
The European Accessibility Act is finally adopted! After 4 years in the making we can now take stock and analyse what this new law will actually bring for persons with disabilities. Which products and services are included? What are the obligations on manufacturers? How can you enforce your rights? What will happen next?
The European Disability Forum will try to answer all those questions and more in our 1-hour webinar.
Register now
