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Their sexual and reproductive health and mental health are often overlooked. Health care needs to be more accessible by using easy-to-read information, training health care professionals and lowering the costs.","/healthcare","2023-10-02T13:53:42.000Z","2025-11-21T12:45:37.000Z",{"idx":58,"title":59,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":60,"picture":61,"content_e2r":10,"content":64,"excerpt":10,"default_t
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80ype":29,"url":77,"created_at":78,"modified_at":79,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},13,"Non-discrimination","discrimination,access,segregation",{"alt":73,"picture":74},"Conference room. Woman siting, posing for the photo.","https://str.inclusion.eu/b06abb8234b52c2500644d800.png","%23%23%23%20The%20right%20to%20be%20treated%20equally.%0A%0APersons%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20have%20the%20right%20to%20equal%20opportunities%20and%20to%20be%20free%20from%20discrimination%20and%20violence.%2052%25%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20feel%20discriminated%20against.%20They%20are%20also%20more%20likely%20to%20experience%20violence%20and%20abuse%20in%20their%20home%20and%20in%20institutions.%20This%20leads%20to%20further%20social%20exclusion.%20%0A%0AFamily%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20can%20also%20experience%20discrimination.%20This%20is%20called%20discrimination%20by%20association.%0A%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20The%20right%20to%20equality%20%20%0A%0APeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20often%20discriminated%20against%20and%20experience%u202Fsocial%20exclusion.%20Discrimination%20can%20be%20segregation%20in%20education%2C%20denial%20of%20employment%20opportunities%2C%20inaccessibility%20or%20physical%2C%20psychological%20and%20social%20harm.%20%0A%0APeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20discrimination%20in%20housing%2C%20education%2C%20employment%2C%20healthcare%20and%20many%20other%20services.%20These%20services%20are%20often%20not%20accessible%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0AThis%20results%20in%20the%20violation%20of%20their%20right%20to%20equality%20and%20non-discrimination%2C%20as%20recognized%20in%20%5BArticle%205%20of%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%5D%28https%3A//www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-5-equality-and-non-discrimination.html%29%28UN%20CRPD%29.%20%0A%0ADiscrimination%20is%20also%20the%20lack%20of%20accessibility%20and%20the%20denial%20of%20reasonable%20accommodation.%20Accessibility%20and%20non-discrimination%20are%20necessary%20so%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20able%20to%20fully%20participate%20in%20society%20on%20an%20equal%20basis.%20%20%0A%0A%20%0A%23%23%23%20Discrimination%20by%20association%20%0A%0A%0ANot%20only%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20discrimination%20themselves%2C%20also%20their%20family%20members%20can%20face%20discrimination.%20This%20is%20called%3A%20%u201Cdiscrimination%20by%20association%u201D.%20Family%20members%20are%20often%20denied%20equal%20opportunities%20in%20many%20European%20countries.%20For%20example%2C%20parents%20with%20a%20child%20with%20a%20disability%20who%20depends%20on%20care%20find%20it%20more%20difficult%20to%20work.%20%0A%0AFamilies%20meet%20obstacles%20to%20equal%20opportunities%20in%20the%20following%20areas%3A%20%0A%0A-%20Education%20%0A-%20Work%20%0A-%20Transportation%20%0A-%20Housing%20%0A-%20Social%20security%20%0A%0AThree%20changes%20would%20help%20family%20members%20balancing%20their%20work%2C%20care%20responsibilities%20and%20life%3A%20%0A%0A-%20Legal%20provisions%20such%20as%20credit-time%2C%20parental%20holidays%2C%20the%20extension%20of%20paternity%20and%20maternity%20leave%20%0A-%20Encouraging%20employers%20to%20take%20into%20account%20the%20challenges%20of%20family%20members%20having%20a%20care%20responsibility%20%0A-%20Increasing%20the%20number%20and%20the%20quality%20of%20respite%20care%20and%20family%20support%20services.%20%0A%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20is%20Inclusion%20Europe%20working%20on%3F%u202F%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20continues%20to%20advocate%20for%20the%20rights%20and%20interests%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20family%20members%20at%20European%20level.%20%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20wrote%20a%20%5BPosition%20Paper%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/non_discrimination_for_people_with_intellectual_disability_position_paper_inclusion_europe.pdf%29%20on%20the%20EU%20Equality%20in%20Employment%u202Fdirective.%20The%20paper%20focussed%20on%20issues%20brought%20up%20by%20our%20member%20organisations%20on%20discrimination%20in%20employment.%0A%0AFor%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Disability%20Strategy%202010-2020%5D%28https%3A//eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/%3Furi%3DLEGISSUM%3Aem0047%29%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%20strongly%20advocated%20for%20an%u202Fambitious%20strategy%20for%20the%20post-2020%20period.","People with intellectual disabilities often face discrimination in many areas of life, such as education, employment, and healthcare. Lack of accessibility and denial of reasonable accommodation are also discrimination. They result in social exclusion. Inclusion Europe advocates for the right to equality and to be free from discrimination and violence.","/non-discrimination","2023-10-02T14:14:45.000Z","2025-11-21T12:45:28.000Z",{"idx":81,"title":82,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":83,"picture":84,"content_e2r":10,"content":87,"excerpt":88,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":89,"created_at":90,"modified_at":91,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},14,"Right to decide","legal capacity,guardianship,access,independent living",{"alt":85,"picture":86},"Two people talking on the microphone.","https://str.inclusion.eu/b06abb8234b52c2500644d801.png","%23%23%23%20Supported%20instead%20of%20substituted%20decision-making.%20Let%20people%20make%20their%20own%20decisions.%0A%0ALegal%20capacity%20is%20the%20right%20to%20make%20legally%20binding%20decisions%20which%20have%20to%20be%20respected%20by%20the%20law%20and%20other%20people.%20The%20United%20Nations%u2019%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28UN%20CRPD%29%20%5Brecognizes%20that%5D%28https%3A//www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-12-equal-recognition-before-the-law.html%29%20%u201Cpersons%20with%20disabilities%20enjoy%20legal%20capacity%20on%20an%20equal%20basis%20with%20others%20in%20all%20aspects%20of%20life%u201D.%0A%0AYet%2C%20many%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20deprived%20of%20their%20legal%20capacity%20and%20put%20under%20guardianship.%20This%20means%20that%20they%20are%20not%20able%20to%20make%20their%20own%20decisions%20on%20important%20topics%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20their%20health%2C%20finances%2C%20where%20they%20would%20like%20to%20live%20or%20who%20to%20votefor.%20%20%0A%0APeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20do%20not%20need%20to%20be%20%u2018protected%u2019%20from%20making%20their%20own%20decisions.%20They%20should%20be%20supported%20in%20their%20decision-making.%20Inclusion%20Europe%20fights%20for%20supported%20decision-making%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20is%20the%20problem%3F%20%0A%0A*What%20shall%20I%20wear%3F%20Where%20do%20I%20want%20to%20live%3F%20Who%20do%20I%20want%20to%20vote%20for%3F%20Life%20is%20full%20of%20decisions.%20Some%20decisions%20we%20make%20turn%20out%20to%20be%20wrong.%20But%20everyone%20makes%20mistakes%2C%20don%u2019t%20we%20say%20that%20we%20learn%20from%20our%20mistakes%3F*%20%20%0A%0AThere%20is%20a%20widespread%20belief%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20need%20to%20be%20%u201Cprotected%u201D%20from%20making%20their%20own%20decisions.%20This%20leads%20to%20them%20being%20put%20under%20guardianship%20and%20stripped%20of%20their%20legal%20capacity.%20%20%0A%0AMany%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Europe%20have%20been%20deprived%20of%20their%20legal%20capacity.%20As%20a%20result%2C%20other%20rights%20are%20affected%20as%20well%2C%20including%20effective%20access%20to%20justice%2C%20political%20participation%20and%20the%20right%20to%20vote.%20Without%20legal%20capacity%2C%20it%20is%20not%20possible%20to%20make%20your%20own%20medical%20and%20financial%20decisions.%20%0A%0AWhen%20it%20comes%20to%20legal%20capacity%20laws%2C%20the%20situation%20in%20Europe%20varies%20a%20lot%20from%20country%20to%20country.%20Some%20have%20introduced%20progressive%20laws%2C%20whereas%20others%20continue%20to%20stick%20to%20outdated%20legislation.%20A%20general%20trend%20of%20reforms%20to%20implement%20%u201Cmodern%20guardianship%u201D%20laws%20keeps%20the%20question%20of%20legal%20capacity%20on%20the%20political%20agenda%20in%20many%20countries.%20There%20have%20been%20several%20attempts%20to%20include%20models%20of%20supported-decision%20making%20in%20the%20legislation%20in%20some%20countries.%20%20%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Challenges%2C%20however%2C%20continue%20to%20exist%3A%20%0A%0A-%20Economic%20and%20financial%20challenges%3A%20people%20often%20are%20not%20given%20the%20possibility%20to%20hold%20a%20bank%20account%2C%20and%2C%20in%20some%20cases%2C%20to%20dispose%20of%20their%20own%20money%3B%20%0A-%20Overprotective%20/%20restrictive%20attitudes%20in%20society%20towards%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%3B%20%0A-%20Legal%20framework%3A%20guardianship%20agreements%20are%20still%20a%20part%20of%20many%20national%20legislations.%20These%20countries%20have%20not%20shifted%20from%20the%20guardianship%20system%20to%20the%20assisted-decision%20making%20one%20intended%20by%20the%20UN%20CRPD%3B%20%0A-%20Lack%20of%20political%20will%20to%20make%20the%20change%20happen.%20%20%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20is%20the%20solution%3F%20%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20advocates%20for%20a%20c
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800mistakes%20is%20part%20of%20the%20process.%20%0A%0ALiving%20independently%20and%20being%20included%20in%20the%20community%2C%20persons%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20can%20exercise%20choice%20over%20their%20lives%20and%20have%20the%20same%20opportunities%20as%20a%20non-disabled%20person.%20Inclusion%20Europe%u202Fsubmission%20in%20regional%20consultation%202021%u202F%28.docx%29%20%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Resources%20%0A%0A%0A**Reports%20and%20papers%3A**%0A%0A%5BLack%20of%20understanding%20is%20not%20the%20issue%2C%20lack%20of%20action%20is%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/lack-of-understanding-is-not-the-issue-lack-of-action-is-contribution-to-guidance-on-living-independently-and-being-included/%29%20-%20contribution%20to%20guidance%20on%20living%20independently%20and%20being%20included%0A%0A-%20European%20Commission%20%5BGuidance%20on%20independent%20living%20and%20inclusion%20in%20the%20community%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/deinstitutionalisation-news-reports%29%0A%0A%5BSurvivors%20of%20institutionalisation%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/tag/survivors/%29%0A%0A%5BHousing%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities%253A-issues-ideas-practices%29%0A%0AArticles%20about%20%5Bdeinstitutionalisation%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/deinstitutionalisation%29%20and%20%5Bindependent%20living.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/independent%2520living%29%20Current%20%5Bprojects.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/projects%29%0A%0A%5BInclusion%20indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%0A%0A**Deinstitutionalisation**%20%0A%0A-%20%5BCall%20to%20action%3A%20The%20Use%20of%20EU%20money%20for%20independent%20living%20and%20inclusion%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/call-to-action-use-of-eu-money%29%0A-%20%5BChecklist%20on%20use%20of%20EU%20funds%20%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Checklist-to-ensure-EU-funded-measures-contribute-to-independent-living-by-developing-and-ensuring-access-to-family-based-and-community-based-services.pdf%29%0A-%20%5BCommon%20European%20Guidelines%u202Fon%20the%20Transition%20from%20Institutional%20to%20community-based%20Care%5D%28https%3A//deinstitutionalisation.com/eeg-publications/%29%20%0A-%20%5BReport%20of%20the%20Ad-hoc%20expert%20group%20on%20transition%20from%20institutional%20to%20community-based%20care%5D%28https%3A//deinstitutionalisationdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2017/11/report-fo-the-ad-hoc_2009.pdf%29%0A-%20%5BReport%20on%20the%20transition%20from%20institutional%20care%20to%20community-based%20services%20in%2027%20EU%20member%20states%20%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/eeg-di-report-2020-1.pdf%29%0A%0A**More%20resources**%0A%0A-%20%5BIncluded%20in%20Society%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Included-in-Society.pdf%29%20%0A-%20%5BPrinciples%20for%20quality%20evaluation%20of%20services%20%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Achieving_Quality.pdf%29%0A-%20%5BUser%20Councils%20in%20services%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/User_Councils_EN.pdf%29%0A-%20%5BEmpowering%20people%20with%20complex%20support%20needs%20%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Empowerment-of-people-with-complex-support-needs.pdf%29%0A%20%0A%0A**CRPD%20Committee**%0A%0A-%20%5BGeneral%20comment%20No.5%20on%20Article%2019%20%u2013%20the%20right%20to%20live%20independently%20and%20be%20included%20in%20the%20community%20%5D%28https%3A//www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/general-comment-no5-article-19-right-live%29%0A-%20%5BSubmissions%20on%20the%20right%20to%20live%20independently%20and%20be%20included%u202Ffor%20the%20UN%20CRPD%20Committee%20General%20Comment%20on%20article%2019%20%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Submission-to-the-Draft-General-Comment-No-5-on-Article-19.pdf%29%0A%0A","Many people with intellectual disabilities still live in institutions, isolated from the community. Inclusion Europe advocates for the right to live independently and to be included. People with intellectual disabilities must be included in the society and have support to build social relations.","/independent-living","2023-10-03T13:39:50.000Z","2025-11-21T12:45:20.000Z",{"idx":105,"title":106,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":107,"picture":108,"content_e2r":10,"content":111,"excerpt":112,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":113,"created_at":114,"modified_at":115,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},16,"Violence against women","woman,violence",{"alt":109,"picture":110},"Illustrations showing types of violence agains woman.","https://str.inclusion.eu/b06abb8234b52c2500644d802.jpeg","%23%23%23%20Violence%20against%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0AWomen%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20at%20greater%20risk%20of%20being%20targets%20of%20physical%2C%20sexual%2C%20or%20psychological%20violence.%20They%20are%20even%20at%20greater%20risk%20when%20they%20are%20living%20in%20institutions%2C%20making%20them%20completely%20dependable%20on%20care%20givers%20and%20isolated%20from%20the%20rest%20of%20society.%20Inclusion%20Europe%20fights%20for%20the%20closing%20down%20of%20institutions%2C%20and%20for%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20to%20be%20included%20in%20their%20communities%20to%20make%20them%20less%20vulnerable%20from%20abuse.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Violence%20against%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%0A%0AWomen%20with%20disabilities%20experience%20violence%20at%20significantly%20higher%20rates%20than%20women%20without%20disabilities1.%20They%20experience%20violence%20more%20frequently%2C%20for%20longer%2C%20in%20more%20ways%2C%20and%20by%20more%20perpetrators.%20Women%20with%20disabilities%20have%20considerably%20fewer%20pathways%20to%20safety%2C%20and%20are%20less%20likely%20to%20report%20experiences%20of%20violence.%20%20%0A%0AWomen%20with%20disabilities%20face%20domestic%20violence%20at%20a%20rate%20that%20is%20twice%20as%20high%20as%20that%20of%20women%20without%20disabilities%20worldwide.%20They%20encounter%20specific%20forms%20of%20violence%20that%20are%20directly%20linked%20to%20their%20disabilities%3A%20isolation%2C%20violence%20in%20institutions%2C%20and%20the%20denial%20of%20necessary%20medication%2C%20or%20accessibility%20aids.%0A%0AWomen%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20responded%20to%20a%20survey%20are%20also%20at%20higher%20risk%20to%20experience%20sexual%20violence%3A%20%0A%0A-%2061%25%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities%20were%20victims%20of%20sexual%20harassment%20since%20the%20age%20of%2015.%0A-%2026%25%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities%20were%20stalked%3B%0A-%2046%25%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities%20said%20they%20suffered%20from%20a%20physical%2C%20sexual%20or%20psychological%20violence%20before%20the%20age%20of%2015.%20%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20at%20the%20highest%20risk%2C%20especially%20if%20they%20live%20in%20institutions.%0A%0AA%20%5Breport%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/LAV-Publication_web.pdf%29%20by%20Inclusion%20Europe%20identified%203%20main%20areas%20of%20violence%3A%20%20%0A%0A-%20**Direct%20violence**%3A%20when%20someone%20intentionally%20tries%20to%20hurt%20someone%2C%20person%20to%20person.%20It%20is%20also%20called%20%u2018personal%20violence%u2019%2C%20and%20can%20be%20done%20sexually%2C%20physically%2C%20psychologically%2C%20financially%20or%20through%20neglect.%20%0A-%20**Careless%20attitude**%3A%20when%20someone%20gets%20hurt%20because%20someone%20they%20depend%20upon%20does%20not%20care%20about%20them.%0A-%20**Structural%20violence**%3A%20when%20someone%20is%20hurt%20through%20societal%20structures%2C%20systems%20of%20power%20and%20control%2C%20or%20rules%20and%20regulations.%20%0A%0AOn%20top%20of%20the%20violence%20and%20abuse%2C%20there%20is%20a%20lack%20of%20trust%2C%20and%20there%20are%20not%20enough%20services%2C%20recovery%20mechanisms%20or%20restorative%20justice%20to%20help%20them%20cope%20with%20the%20violence%20they%20were%20victims%20of.%20This%20leads%20to%20double%20victimisation%20and%20less%20pathways%20to%20safety.%20Women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20in%20the%20end%20far%20less%20likely%20to%20report%20violence.%20%0A%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Forced%20sterilisation%20and%20abortion%20%0A%0APeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20especially%20those%20under%20guardianship%2C%20are%20more%20likely%20to%20be%20at%20risk%20of%20being%20sterilised%20without%20their%20consent.%20Women%20and%20girls%20with%20disabilities%20are%20the%20most%20targeted.%20Sterilisation%20is%20a%20permanent%20way%20of%20birth%20control%20to%20make%20sure%20a%20woman%20cannot%20get%20pregnant%20anymore.%20If%20a%20woman%20with%20an%20intellectual%20disability%20does%20get%20pregnant%2C%20they%20are%20often%20forced%20to%20have%20an%20abortion.%20%0A%0AThe%20UN%20Committee%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28UN%20CRPD%29%20are%20worried%20about%20forced%20sterilisation%20and%20abortion%20of%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20disabilities.%20Forced%20sterilisation%20and%20abortion%20violates%20the%20human%20rights%20of%20women.%20It%20violates%20their%20right%20to%20choose%20what%20happens%20to%20their%20body%2C%20and%20it%20violates%20their%20right%20to%20privacy.%20It%20can%20also%20lead%20to%20life-long%20trauma.%20%0A%0AHowever%2C%20forced%20sterilisation%20is%20still%20legal%20and%20widespread%20across%20Europe.%0A%0A-%209%20EU%20countries%20forbid%20forced%20sterilisation%20%20%0A-%2014%20EU%20countries%20still%2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80old.%0A-%203%20EU%20countries%20the%20use%20of%20birth%20control%20or%20sterilisation%20can%20be%20a%20requirement%20to%20live%20in%20an%20institution.%20%0A%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Protect%2C%20educate%2C%20empower%20%0A%0A**Deinstitutionalisation**%3A%20Inclusion%20Europe%20advocates%20to%20close%20down%20institutions.%20All%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20have%20the%20right%20to%20independent%20living%20regardless%20of%20their%20disability%20under%20article%2019%20on%20independent%20living%20of%20the%20UN%20CPRD.%20The%20continued%20support%20and%20funding%20of%20institutions%20denies%20women%20with%20disabilities%20of%20this%20right%20and%20puts%20them%20at%20greater%20risk%20of%20violence.%20%0A%0A**Social%20integration%20and%20social%20protection**%3A%20women%20with%20disabilities%20who%20have%20been%20institutionalised%20and%20experienced%20violence%20need%20support%20to%20re-enter%20society%20and%20recover%20from%20the%20trauma%20of%20their%20abuse%28s%29.%20They%20also%20need%20the%20necessary%20social%20protection%20to%20fulfil%20their%20right%20to%20independent%20living.%20%20%0A%0A**Education**%3A%20women%20with%20disabilities%20are%20excluded%20from%20mainstream%20education.%20other%20than%20from%20this%20being%20wrong%20in%20itself%2C%20it%20means%20they%20lose%20out%20on%20social%20and%20sexual%20education.%20They%20are%20removed%20from%20situations%20where%20one%20usually%20learns%20about%20boundaries%20with%20her%20peers.%20In%20their%20segregated%20education%20they%20are%20not%20given%20sex%20education%20classes%20due%20to%20common%20bias%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20somehow%20not%20sexual.%20%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20is%20Inclusion%20Europe%20working%20on%3F%20%0A%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20has%20been%20supporting%20the%20ratification%20of%20the%20Council%20of%20Europe%u2019s%20Istanbul%20Convention%20on%20preventing%20and%20combating%20violence%20against%20women%20and%20domestic%20violence%20by%20the%20EU%20and%20%20EU%20countries.%20%0A%0ATherefore%2C%20the%20recent%20vote%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%20in%20favour%20of%20the%20EU%20accession%20constitutes%20a%20landmark%20in%20the%20protection%20of%20women%u2019s%20rights%20and%20security%20%28tag%20convention%29.%20%0A%0AThe%20Convention%20specifically%20recognises%20the%20forms%20of%20violence%20faced%20by%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20disabilities%2C%20such%20as%20forced%20sterilisation.%20It%20also%20gives%20the%20tools%20to%20support%20victims%20with%20disabilities.%20%0A%0A%u202F%20%0A%0A%20","Women with intellectual disabilities are more likely to fall victims of physical, sexual, or psychological violence. They are also at a greater risk of forced sterilisation and abortion. Inclusion Europe conducted the study âLife after Violence Reportâ on violence against women with intellectual disabilities in institutions, where they are segregated from the rest of society and more vulnerable from abuse.","/violence-against-women","2023-10-03T13:57:35.000Z","2025-11-21T12:45:17.000Z",{"idx":117,"title":118,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":119,"picture":120,"content_e2r":10,"content":123,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":124,"created_at":125,"modified_at":126,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},17,"Right to vote","voting,elections,legal capacity",{"alt":121,"picture":122},"Drawing of a person speaking at a conference. 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80organisations%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities.%20The%20goal%20is%20to%20implement%20the%20EU%20Strategy%20and%20look%20ahead%20at%20what%20still%20needs%20to%20be%20done.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20*%u201CThis%20Platform%20acts%20as%20a%20privileged%20channel%20for%20mutual%20learning%2C%20in%20which%20gender%20equality%20and%20political%20participation%20are%20key%20aspects%20to%20consider%20when%20ensuring%20the%20rights%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20in%20the%20EU.%u201D*%20%0A%0AThe%20work%20of%20the%20Commission%20along%20with%20the%20EU%20countries%20in%20the%20European%20Cooperation%20Network%20on%20Elections%20is%20an%20important%20step.%20The%20guide%20of%20good%20electoral%20practices%20must%20ensure%20an%20intersectional%20approach%20that%20addresses%20the%20needs%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities.%20The%20Commission%20also%20provides%20technical%20and%20financial%20support%20to%20EU-level%20NGOs.%20In%20this%20way%2C%20they%20can%20participate%20in%20EU%20policy%20process%2C%20including%20those%20concerning%20political%20participation.%20%0A%0AMoreover%2C%20Katarina%20and%20her%20team%20in%20DG%20Employment%2C%20Social%20Affairs%20and%20Inclusion%20work%20closely%20with%20many%20Directorate%20Generals%20%28DGs%29%2C%20for%20example%20with%20DG%20Justice%2C%20and%20with%20EU%20agencies.%0A%0AThe%20European%20Commission%27s%20commitment%20to%20promote%20political%20participation%20among%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20is%20very%20important%20to%20create%20changes.%20They%20are%20creating%20a%20more%20inclusive%20and%20equal%20society%20for%20all%20by%20addressing%20intersectional%20barriers%20and%20improving%20accessibility%20through%20technology.","An interview with Katarina IvankoviÄ-KneževiÄ about the solutions that the European Commission is adopting to support the participation of women with disabilities in the politics.","/katarina-ivankovi%C4%87-kne%C5%BEevi%C4%87-talks-about-women-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-political-participation","2023-11-23T13:38:24.000Z","2025-12-18T12:21:03.000Z",{"idx":204,"title":205,"author":206,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":208,"picture":209,"content_e2r":10,"content":212,"excerpt":213,"default_type":29,"url":214,"created_at":215,"modified_at":216,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},35,"Inclusion Indicators 2023","[email protected]","report","indicators,inclusion,Europe",{"alt":210,"picture":211},"Illustration of the map of European countries with drawing of topics like housing, voting, education, employment, health and institutionalisation.","https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd00.jpg","%5BNew%20report%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20shows%20for%20the%20first%20time%20what%20the%20%u201CEuropean%20way%20of%20life%u201D%20means%20for%2020%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20%0A%0A%u201CThis%20is%20the%20reality%20for%20millions%20of%20people%2C%u201D%20says%20Jyrki%20Pinomaa%2C%20president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20and%20father%20of%20two%20adult%20sons%20with%20disabilities.%20%u201CDespite%20the%20EU%20and%20all%20countries%20legally%20committing%20to%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20persons%20with%20disabilities%2C%20they%20deny%20them%20a%20good%20life%20and%20their%20basic%20rights.%20%0A%0A%u201CGovernments%20don%u2019t%20even%20care%20enough%20to%20collect%20and%20provide%20data%20about%20the%20situation.%20But%20now%2C%20we%20have%20this%20information%2C%20and%20it%20is%20not%20a%20good%20look.%u201D%20%0A%0AThis%20new%20report%20shows%20information%20about%2029%20countries%2C%2023%20of%20them%20in%20the%20EU.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Key%20findings%u202F%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Not%20being%20allowed%20to%20decide%20about%20ones%u2019%20life%20%0A%0A-%20In%2026%20countries%20a%20person%u2019s%20legal%20capacity%20can%20be%20removed%2C%20and%20they%20cannot%20decide%20about%20their%20own%20money%2C%20or%20where%20to%20live%2C%20or%20who%20to%20marry.%0A-%20In%207%20countries%20people%20under%20guardianship%20cannot%20vote%20at%20all.%20%0A-%20In%2015%20countries%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20restricted%20to%20stand%20for%20elections.%0A-%20Only%205%20countries%20fully%20respect%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20and%20make%20voting%20accessible.%20%20%0A%0AAll%20of%20these%20are%20grave%20violations%20of%20people%u2019s%20rights%20as%20protected%20by%20law%20signed%20by%20these%20countries%20%28%5BUN%20CRPD%5D%28https%3A//www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-2.html%29%29.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Segregated%20in%20harmful%20places%20%0A%0A-%20750%2C000%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20must%20live%20in%20segregated%20%u201Ccare
80%u201D%20institutions%20with%2030%20persons%20or%20more%20in%20one%20place.%20%0A-%2039%2C000%20%u201Clive%u201D%20in%20psychiatric%20hospitals.%0A%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20No%20place%20to%20live%2C%20support%20left%20for%20families%20to%20provide%20%0A%0A-%20In%2021%20countries%20few%20or%20no%20adults%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20live%20in%20their%20own%20place.%20That%20is%20a%20far%20cry%20from%20how%20adults%20in%20Europe%20typically%20live.%20%0A-%20Many%20are%20forced%20to%20segregated%20institutions%20%28see%20above%29.%0A-%20Many%20more%20live%20with%20their%20parents%20until%20they%20are%20unable%20to%20provide%20daily%20support.%20Family%20members%20become%20disability%20support%20providers%20instead%20of%20being%20just%20parents%20or%20siblings.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Education%20on%20a%20good%20path%20%0A%0A-%201%2C1%20million%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20in%20mainstream%20schools.%20This%20allows%20them%20to%20grow%20up%20alongside%20their%20non-disabled%20schoolmates%2C%20develop%20important%20skills%2C%20and%20belong%20in%20the%20community%20where%20they%20live.%20%0A-%20Still%2C%20700%2C000%20are%20in%20special%20schools%2C%20deprived%20of%20the%20positive%20effects%20of%20inclusive%20schooling.%20%0A-%2020%2C000%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20getting%20no%20education%20at%20all.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Looking%20for%20a%20workforce%3F%20%0A%0A-%20Less%20than%2010%25%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20have%20a%20paid%20job.%20%28Employment%20rate%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities%20in%20general%20is%2050%25%2C%20and%2075%25%20for%20people%20without%20disabilities.%29%20%0A-%20In%2017%20countries%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20risk%20losing%20disability%20benefits%20when%20they%20earn%20their%20salary.%0A-%20Similarly%2C%20lack%20of%20support%20means%20family%20members%2C%20mostly%20women%2C%20have%20to%20leave%20the%20labour%20market%20and%20stay%20at%20home%20with%20their%20disabled%20family%20member.%20%0A%0AOn%20a%20continent%20strained%20for%20workforce%2C%20surely%20governments%20and%20businesses%20could%20do%20worse%20than%20engage%20and%20benefit%20from%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Resources%0A-%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%202023%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/4fbaa7b98fcf6c493d7f54e03.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%20full%20report%0A-%20Online%20overview%20of%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%5D%28http%3A//inclusion.eu/indicators%29%0A-%20**Fran%E7ais%3A**%20%5BIndicateurs%20d%27inclusion%202023%5D%28http%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Inclusion-indicators-2023-report-fr.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29","Union of equality? Hereâs the reality. Half of EU countries donât allow people with intellectual disabilities to vote. 700,000 people are forced to live in harmful segregated institutional âcareâ. ","/inclusion-indicators-report-2023%3A-union-of-equality%3F-here%E2%80%99s-the-reality.","2023-11-23T14:39:47.000Z","2025-12-19T16:21:55.000Z",{"idx":218,"title":219,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":220,"picture":221,"content_e2r":10,"content":224,"excerpt":225,"default_type":29,"url":226,"created_at":227,"modified_at":228,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},36,"Monica Semedo: Shaping the future at the 2024 European Union elections ","european elections,woman,political participation",{"alt":222,"picture":223},"Photo of a woman in front of the projection of logo of the European Parliament","https://str.inclusion.eu/bad073077c38defc13bd8ff04.JPEG","Monica%20Semedo%20is%20a%20Member%20of%20%5BRenew%20Europe%20Group%5D%28https%3A//www.reneweuropegroup.eu/%29%2C%20Co-Chair%20of%20the%20%5BDisability%20Intergroup%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/disability-intergroup/%29%2C%20and%20Member%20of%20the%20Anti-Racism%20and%20Diversity%20Intergroup%20of%20the%20European%20Parliament.%20She%20is%20a%20strong%20advocate%20for%20an%20intersectional%20approach%2C%20may%20it%20be%20regarding%20employment%2C%20appointments%20to%20boards%20or%20politics.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Obstacles%20to%20the%20political%20participation%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities%20%0A%0ADiscrimination%20and%20stereotypes%20are%20obstacles%20for%20the%20political%20engagement%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities.%20%20%0A%0AMEP%20Semedo%20spoke%20about%20the%20initiatives%20that%20the%20Members%20of%20the%20European%20Parliament%20can%20take%20to%20tackle%20these%20and%20encourage%20a%20greater%20inclusion%20in%20political%20life.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20*%u201CPromoting%20greater%20inclusion%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities%20in%20political%20life%20is%20essential%20to%20foster%20a%20more%20diverse%20and%20representative%20democracy%20and%20to%20put%20forward%20laws%20that%20benefit%20these%20groups.%u201D*%0A%0AMEP%20Semedo%20believes%20the%20European%20Parliament%20should%20raise%20awareness%20and%20promote%20inclusion%2C%20but%20also%20that%20concrete%20actions%20are%20needed.%20She%20constantly%20does%20this%20by%20paying%20extra%20attention%20to%20women%2C%20people%20with%20disabilities%2C%20youth%20and%20anti-racism%2C%20amongst%20other%20groups%2C%20in%20the%20work%20she%20carries%20out.%20For%20EU%20democracy%2C%20it%20is%20crucial%20that%20women%20with%20disabilities%20act%20as%20citizens%2C%20stakeholders%20or%20politicians.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20*%u201CBeing%20a%20woman%20in%20politics%20is%20already%20challenging.%20As%20a%20woman%20you%20have%20to%20prove%20yourself%20in%20order%20to%20get%20the%20same%20respect%20and%20recognition%20as%20your%20male%20colleagues%20or%20compet
80itors%2C%20although%20you%20have%20the%20same%20skills.%20Being%20a%20woman%20and%20disabled%20adds%20difficulties%20to%20this%2C%20because%20as%20a%20person%20with%20a%20disability%20you%20are%20often%20perceived%20as%20less%20capable%20to%20do%20politics.%u201D*%0A%0AWhen%20it%20comes%20to%20public%20and%20political%20participation%2C%20Semedo%20MEP%20explained%20that%20as%20in%20many%20other%20aspects%20of%20life%2C%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20might%20suffer%20from%20different%20obstacles%3A%20%0A%0A-%20underestimation%20of%20competence%20%0A-%20difficulties%20to%20access%20information%20%0A-%20legal%20barrier%20such%20as%20the%20restriction%20of%20vote%20in%20certain%20EU%20Member%20States%2C%20for%20example%20via%20an%20intermediate%20%0A-%20impossibility%20to%20open%20their%20own%20business%20%0A%0AMEP%20Semedo%20highlights%20the%20need%20of%20representation%20to%20foster%20visibility%20in%20the%20public%20scene%20for%20other%20women%20with%20disabilities%20and%20encourage%20them%20to%20follow%20those%20steps.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Accessible%20and%20inclusive%20elections%20%0A%0ADiscrimination%20based%20on%20disability%20affects%20people%20from%20various%20backgrounds%20differently.%20The%20rights%20and%20participation%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities%20from%20marginalised%20groups%2C%20such%20as%20ethnic%20minorities%20and%20LGBTIQ+%20community%2C%20are%20not%20always%20fully%20recognised%20and%20protected.%20%0A%0AA%20key%20aspect%20for%20Semedo%20MEP%20is%20to%20promote%20inclusive%20representation.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20*%u201CIf%20women%20with%20disabilities%20reach%20political%20and%20socio-economic%20public%20roles%2C%20they%20can%20help%20bring%20more%20women%20in%20similar%20conditions%20into%20the%20political%20field%2C%20and%20not%20only%20work%20for%20them%2C%20but%20also%20encourage%20their%20participation.%u201D*%0A%0AMEP%20Semedo%20highlighted%20that%20if%20women%20with%20disabilities%20reach%20political%20and%20decision-making%20positions%2C%20they%20can%20have%20influence%20and%20encourage%20their%20political%20party%20to%20set%20up%20a%20more%20diverse%20and%20inclusive%20list%20of%20candidates%20for%20elections%20at%20internal%2C%20local%2C%20regional%2C%20national%20or%20European%20level.%0A%0AWe%20discussed%20how%20the%20EU%20can%20better%20involve%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20the%20political%20sphere.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20*%u201CAccessible%20information%20and%20communication%20ensure%20that%20EU%20policy%20reaches%20them%20broadly%2C%20and%20especially%20in%20the%20right%20language.%u201D*%20%0A%0AAmong%20the%20solutions%20she%20mentioned%2C%20there%20are%20braille%2C%20sign%20language%2C%20and%20easy-to-read%20materials.%20It%20is%20also%20essential%20to%20increase%20legal%20protection%20and%20invest%20in%20support%20services%20and%20programs%20adapted%20to%20women%20and%20people%20with%20disabilities%20in%20general.%20%0A%0AAccording%20to%20her%20experience%2C%20MEP%20Semedo%20believes%20that%20disability%20as%20such%20does%20not%20hinder%2C%20but%20the%20circumstances%20are%20often%20not%20as%20accessibility-friendly%20as%20they%20should%20and%20could%20be.%20To%20enable%20equal%20participation%20for%20everyone%2C%20it%20is%20important%20to%20make%20documents%20and%20voting%20processes%20accessible.%20%20%0A%0APhysical%20and%20digital%20accessibility%20barriers%20prevent%20individuals%20with%20disabilities%2C%20including%20women%2C%20from%20engaging%20in%20politics.%20We%20discussed%20the%20strategies%20that%20the%20European%20Parliament%20should%20implement%20to%20enhance%20the%20accessibility%20and%20inclusivity%20of%20political%20processes.%20%0A%0AThe%20Eruopean%20Parliament%20should%20lead%20as%20an%20example%20and%20improve%20its%20own%20inclusiveness.%20Although%20much%20has%20been%20done%2C%20inclusiveness%20can%20be%20improved.%20As%20Semedo%20MEP%20suggested%2C%20the%20European%20Parliament%20should%20lead%20as%20an%20example.%20She%20said%20that%20there%20is%20still%20room%20for%20improvement%20regarding%20internal%20rules%20for%20MEPs%2C%20assistants%2
80C%20and%20staff.%20%0A%0AWe%20also%20talked%20about%20the%20importance%20of%20quality%20education.%20When%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20disabilities%20have%20equal%20chances%20and%20access%20to%20quality%20education%2C%20they%20feel%20more%20self-confident.%20This%20helps%20being%20active%20citizens%20in%20many%20areas%20of%20life%2C%20including%20politics.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20*%u201CAt%20national%20level%2C%20it%20is%20key%20that%20people%20with%20disabilities%20have%20equal%20chances%20and%20access%20to%20quality%20education.%20This%20is%20important%2C%20especially%20for%20young%20girls%20with%20disabilities.%20As%20they%20become%20aware%20they%20have%20the%20same%20chances%20and%20opportunities%2C%20it%20is%20worth%20to%20strive%20to%20reach%20their%20goals.%20This%20gives%20them%20self-confidence%20to%20be%20an%20active%20part%20in%20school%2C%20a%20job%20or%20perhaps%20in%20politics%2C%20although%20or%20-%20better%20said%20-%20because%20they%20are%20capable%20to%20overcome%20obstacles%20living%20with%20a%20disability.%u201D*%20%20%0A%0AMEP%20Semedo%20explained%20that%20The%20European%20Disability%20Strategy%20foresees%20that%20Member%20States%20shall%20enhance%20accessibility%20via%20a%20National%20Action%20Plan%2C%20and%20digital%20accessibility%20is%20nowadays%20as%20crucial%20as%20physical.%20For%20example%2C%20she%20reported%20that%20often%20the%20digital%20exams%20you%20need%20to%20pass%20to%20become%20a%20civil%20servant%20might%20not%20be%20accessibility-friendly.%20This%20is%20especially%20thew%20case%20for%20people%20who%20have%20an%20impairement%2C%20have%20dyslexia%20or%20are%20paralysed%2C%20blind%20and/or%20mute%20at%20the%20same%20time.%0A%0AShe%20highlights%20that%20there%20is%20an%20important%20need%20for%20accessibility%20standards%20also%20at%20digital%20level%2C%20such%20as%20in%20websites%2C%20platforms%2C%20mobile%20apps%2C%20voting%20systems.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Why%20is%20support%20important%3F%0A%0AWe%20asked%20MEP%20Semedo%20how%20important%20being%20and%20ally%20and%20support%20are%20for%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20who%20want%20to%20enter%20a%20political%20career.%20She%20said%20that%20having%20a%20supportive%20net
80work%20may%20help%20overcoming%20challenges%20and%20obstacles.%20People%20around%20you%20that%20support%20you%2C%20give%20you%20advice%2C%20exchange%20experiences%20and%20help%20to%20find%20solutions%20can%20really%20make%20the%20difference.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20*%u201CWomen%20in%20general%20need%20to%20empower%20other%20women%2C%20and%20especially%20women%20with%20disabilities%20or%20people%20from%20marginalised%20groups.%20As%20a%20young%20woman%2C%20impaired%20and%20black%20I%20do%20my%20best%20to%20not%20only%20encourage%20but%20help%20others%20to%20follow.%u201D*%20%0A%0AMEP%20Semedo%20commitment%20to%20intersectionality%20is%20fundamental.%20As%20Co-chair%20of%20the%20Disability%20Intergroup%20of%20the%20European%20Parliament%20and%20Member%20of%20the%20Anti-racism%20and%20Diversity%20Intergroup%2C%20she%20keeps%20supporting%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20disabilities%20and%20people%20from%20marginalised%20groups.%0A","The European electionsâ¯are approaching. This is a crucial period to discuss priorities and challenges. What about the impact on women with disabilities? Here's a discussion with the Member of the European Parliament Monica Semedo. ","/monica-semedo%3A-shaping-the-future-at-the-2024-european-union-elections","2023-11-23T14:50:27.000Z","2023-11-28T19:39:44.000Z",{"idx":230,"title":231,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":232,"menu_position":233,"tags":10,"picture":234,"content_e2r":10,"content":237,"excerpt":238,"default_type":29,"url":239,"created_at":240,"modified_at":241,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},37,"European Platform of Self-Advocates",2,3,{"alt":235,"picture":236},"Self-advocates at Hear our Voices","https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd01.jpeg","%23%23%20People%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20speaking%20up%20for%20themselves%0A%0ASelf-advocates%20are%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20who%20speak%20up%20for%20themselves%20about%20the%20things%20that%20are%20important%20to%20them.%20%0A%0ASelf-advocacy%20aims%20to%20strengthen%20the%20independence%20and%20autonomy%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0AThe%20self-advocacy%20movement%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20began%20in%20Sweden%20in%20the%201960s%20when%20a%20group%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20received%20support%20for%20the%20initiative%20to%20organize%20and%20lead%20their%20own%20leisure%20groups.%0A%0A%21%5BSelf-advocates%20at%20Hear%20our%20Voices%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca90521.jpg%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Self-advocacy%20is%20about%3A%0A%0A-%20understanding%20your%20own%20rights%20and%20the%20rights%20of%20other%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0A-%20coming%20together%20in%20groups%20and%20giving%20one%20another%20peer%20support%0A-%20sharing%20experiences%20and%20learning%20from%20one%20another%0A-%20building%20confidence%20and%20power%0A-%20taking%20action%20by%20holding%20organisations%20and%20governments%20accountable%0A%0AA%20person%20must%20be%20supported%20to%20understand%20the%20responsibilities%20of%20being%20a%20self-advocate%20and%20representing%20others.%20Not%20all%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20%28or%20want%20to%20be%29%20self-advocates.%20%0A%0A%0A%23%23%20The%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%20%28EPSA%29%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20set%20up%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%20%28EPSA%29%20in%202000.%0A%0AEPSA%20is%20made%20of%20%5Borganisations%20and%20groups%20of%20self-advocates%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/epsa-members%29%20which%20are%20members%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Representation%20and%20inclusion%0A%0AEPSA%20makes%20sure%20Inclusion%20Europe%20is%20inclusive%20organisation.%0A%0AEPSA%20appoints%20at%20least%203%20%5BBoard%20members%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/staff%29%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%0AThe%20Chair%20of%20EPSA%20is%20also%20the%20Vice-President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%0A*%20The%20first%20president%20of%20EPSA%20was%20**Ulla%20Topi.**%20We%20named%20%5Bour%20traineeships%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/ulla-topi-traineeship-in-inclusive-policy-making%29%20in%20her%20honour.%0A%0AEPSA%20gives%20Inclusion%20Europe%20feedback%20on%20how%20well%20self-advocates%20are%20represented%20and%20included.%0A%0ASelf-advocates%20represent%20Inclusion%20Europe%20at%20conferences%20and%20meetings%0A%0AEPSA%20helps%20make%20the%20self-advocacy%20movement%20in%20all%20European%20countries%20stronger.%20The%20platform%20represents%20self-advocacy%20groups%20in%20Europe.%0A%0A%21%5BSenada%20Halilcevic%20speaking%20at%20a%20conference%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca90522.jpg%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Steering%20Group%0A%0AThe%20Steering%20Group%20are%20self-advocates%20elected%20to%20lead%20the%20work%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates.%0A%0AMembers%20of%20the%20Steering%20Group%20are%3A%0A%0A*%20**L%E1szl
80%F3%20Bercse%2C**%20Hungary.%20Chair%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%2C%20and%20Vice-President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A*%20**Oswald%20F%F6llerer%2C**%20Austria.%20Board%20member%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A*%20**Andreas%20Zehetner%2C**%20Austria.%20Board%20member%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A*%20**Ana%20Mart%EDnez%2C**%20Spain.%0A*%20**Ellis%20Jongerius%2C**%20Netherlands.%0A%0A%0A%23%23%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%20self-advocacy%20conferences%0A%0AThe%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%20organises%20conferences%20by%20self-advocates%20for%20self-advocates.%0A%0AThe%20conferences%20are%20called%20%5BHear%20our%20Voices%21%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/hear-our-voices%29%20%0A%0A%21%5BLaszlo%20Bercse%20at%20Hear%20our%20Voices%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca90523.png%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%20Europe%20for%20us%20magazine%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20produces%20%5BEurope%20for%20us%20easy-to-read%20magazine.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-magazine%29%20%0A%0AEurope%20for%20us%20is%20published%20four%20times%20per%20year%20in%20different%20languages.%0A%0AThe%20magazine%20is%20about%20important%20topics%20about%20and%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A%0A**Read%20also%3A**%20%0A%0A-%20%5BHistory%20of%20self-advocacy%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/history%29%0A-%20%5BSelf-advocacy%20articles%5D%28/tag/self-advocacy%29%0A%0A","The European Platform of Self-Advocates brings together organisations and groups of self-advocates from different countries.","/european-platform-of-self-advocates","2023-11-23T15:30:08.000Z","2026-04-16T15:16:12.000Z",{"idx":243,"title":244,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":245,"picture":246,"content_e2r":249,"content":132,"excerpt":250,"default_type":251,"url":252,"created_at":253,"modified_at":254,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},40,"Make it real manifesto from Hear our Voices! conference","easy to read,hear our voices,self-advocacy",{"alt":247,"picture":248},"Notes from the participants. Words on the post-its. Right for education, affordable living and supported decision making.","https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd02.png","[{\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd03.png\", \"text\": \"Self-advocates wrote [the manifesto](https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e92f.pdf) (.pdf)\\nat the Hear our Voices! conference.\\n\\nThe conference took place in Tallinn.\\nThe city is in Estonia.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd04.png\", \"text\": \"Manifesto is a statement that explains the beliefs, goals, \\nand intentions of a person, group, or organization. \\n\\nIt's a way to express what they stand for and what they want to achieve. \"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd05.png\", \"text\": \"We believe everyone has the right to enjoy life.\\nWe believe everyone must have their rights respected.\\nThis is what we want to say.\\nListen to us.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd06.png\", \"text\": \"For 3 days, we, the self-advocates, \\nshared our experiences, dreams, and hopes.\\nWe learned from one another.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd07.png\", \"text\": \"We talked about: \\n⢠What we want and need.\\n⢠How do we make those things happen.\\n⢠What support we need.\\n\\nEach of us is an individual.\\nUnique, not âspecialâ.\\nValue every one of us.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd08.png\", \"text\": \"We want to understand the world we live in. \\nInformation should be easy to understand, and available to all.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd09.png\", \"text\": \"We want real jobs, and real pay.\\nWe want equal and fair access to employment.\\nIf we need support for work, we should get it.\\n\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd0a.png\", \"text\": \"We want all children and students to go to school together.\\nAll children should go to school together, \\nnot to be segregated by disability.\\n\\nChildren and students who need support to learn should get it.\\nWe want this at all levels of education\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd0b.png\", \"text\": \"We want to live in the community, with the people we choose.\\nWe donât want to be placed in institutions.\\nWe want to decide about where and how we live.\\nWe want to have proper support if we need it.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd0c.png\", \"text\": \"We want public spaces accessible to all.\\nPublic transport must be available and accessible.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd0d.png\", \"text\": \"We want equal access to healthcare.\\nAll people must access hospitals, doctors, and other health services.\\nHealthcare professionals need to learn how to communicate with us.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd0e.png\", \"text\": \"We want our decisions to be respected.\\nWe have the right to make decisions.\\nWe have the right to supp
80ort in decision-making, if we need and want it.\\nWe have the right to say ânoâ.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd0f.png\", \"text\": \"We are the experts in our life.\\nWe will have a say on decisions that affect our lives.\\n\\nWe want the right to vote in elections.\\nWe all have the right to take part in society.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd10.png\", \"text\": \"We want to be able to connect with others,\\nand to work together for our goals.\\nWe work together to build inclusive society.\\n\\nWe must share and learn from each other.\\nWe all have knowledge to share.\\nTogether we can change the world.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/eac30e59b9bf37addd85ddd11.png\", \"text\": \"We are done waiting.\\nWe demand politicians and decision-makers to keep their promises.\\nWe are not asking. \\nWe are claiming our rights.\\n\\nHear our voices.\"}, {\"pic\": null, \"text\": \"### Read the full document: [Make it real!](https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e92f.pdf) (.pdf)\"}]","Self-advocatesâ manifesto was created during the Hear our Voices! self-advocacy conference in Tallinn, Estonia in September 2023.","e2r","/make-it-real","2023-11-25T12:19:29.000Z","2025-06-23T15:25:30.000Z",{"idx":256,"title":257,"author":258,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":260,"picture":261,"content_e2r":264,"content":265,"excerpt":266,"default_type":29,"url":267,"created_at":268,"modified_at":269,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},41,"European Disability Strategy","[email protected]","news","disability strategy ,intellectual disabilities,european commission",{"alt":262,"picture":263},"Illustration of a document with a title European Disability Strategy. People with disabilities on the cover of the document.","https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae59300.png","[{\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae59301.png\", \"text\": \"**Current situation for persons with disabilities in the European Union.**\\n\\nAround 87 million people with disabilities living in the European Union face barriers.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae59302.png\", \"text\": \"Persons with disabilities are more likely to \\nface barriers in healthcare, education, employment,\\nrecreation activities and participation in political life. \"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae59303.png\", \"text\": \"**Unemployment and poverty**\\n\\nEmployment rate of people with disabilities is at 50.8%, \\ncompared to 75% for people without disabilities.\\n\\nIt means that persons with disabilities\\nare more likely to be unemployed.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae59304.jpeg\", \"text\": \"The risk of poverty or social exclusion rises to 28,4%. \\n\\nIt means that persons with disabilities are more\\nlikely to be poor and segregated from the community.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae59306.png\", \"text\": \"**The European Disability Strategy**\\n\\nThe European Commission made a the ten-year\\nstrategy for the rights of persons with disabilities.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae59307.png\", \"text\": \"The strategy calls for an inclusive society\\nin which the rights of people living with disabilities\\nare protected and there is no discrimination. \\n\\n \\n\\nThe strategy supports many projects around\\nEU rights, independent living, decision making,\\nnon-discrimination and equal opportunities. \"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae59308.png\", \"text\": \"The goal of the strategy is to include\\nthe rights of people living with disabilities\\ninto all policies and areas. \\n \\n\\nThe strategy wants to ensure equal access to\\nhealth care, employment, public transport and housing. \"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae59309.png\", \"text\": \"**Elements of the strategy**\\n\\nThe strategy includes elements to improve\\nthe life of the people with disabilities.\\n\\nThe strategy will support people with disabilities\\nwho get affected by health crises like Covid-19. \\n\\n\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae5930a.png\", \"text\": \"**European Disability Card**\\n\\nThe European Disability card project\\nwill allow for mutual recognition of disabilities\\nin different EU countries.\\n\\nIt means that the card will show the disability\\nsomeone has and it will be recognised by all EU countries.\\n\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae5930b.png\", \"text\": \"Person with disabilities can use the card while traveling \\nand use it in case itâs necessary.\\n\\n \\n\\nFor example, someone can use it to access transportation\\nor healthcare help while in a different c
80ountry.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae5930c.png\", \"text\": \"**The European Accessibility Act**\\n\\nThe European Accessibility Act recommends \\nthat more products and services\\nneed to be accessible to everyone.\\n\\nProducts like smartphones and tablets ATMs or E-books.\\n\\nThis will help persons with disabilities live more independently.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae5930d.png\", \"text\": \"**The Directive on Web accessibility**\\n\\nThe Directive on Web accessibility is a recommendation\\nto make the online data and services\\nmore accessible to people with disabilities. \"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/159f2f7eca8c4aae65ae5930e.jpeg\", \"text\": \"The directive will affect public places\\nlike hospitals, courts or universities.\\n\\nThe directive will help persons with disabilities\\nwho need information written in easy to read.\"}]","The%20European%20Commission%20presents%20an%20ambitious%20Strategy%20for%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%202021-2030%20%28%5BEasy-to-read%20version%5D%28https%3A//ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp%3FcatId%3D1535%26langId%3Den%29%29%20to%20ensure%20their%20full%20participation%20in%20society.%20%0A%0AThe%20new%20strategy%20builds%20on%20its%20predecessor%2C%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Disability%20Strategy%202010-2020%5D%28https%3A//eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/%3Furi%3DLEGISSUM%253Aem0047%29%2C%20and%20contributes%20to%20the%20implementation%20of%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Pillar%20of%20Social%20Rights.%5D%28https%3A//ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp%3FcatId%3D1226%29%0A%0A87%20million%20people%20in%20the%20EU%20have%20some%20form%20of%20disability%20and%20face%20considerable%20barriers%20in%20access%20to%20healthcare%2C%20education%2C%20employment%2C%20recreation%20activities%2C%20as%20well%20as%20participation%20in%20political%20life.%20The%20employment%20rate%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20stands%20at%2050.8%25%2C%20compared%20to%2075%25%20for%20people%20without%20disabilities%20and%2028.4%25%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20in%20the%20European%20Union%20are%20at%20risk%20of%20poverty%20or%20social%20exclusion.%0A%0A%u201CPersons%20with%20disabilities%20have%20the%20right%20to%20have%20good%20conditions%20in%20the%20workplace%2C%20to%20live%20independently%2C%20to%20equal%20opportunities%2C%20to%20participate%20fully%20in%20the%20life%20of%20their%20community.%20All%20have%20a%20right%20to%20a%20life%20without%20barriers.%20And%20it%20is%20our%20obligation%2C%20as%20a%20community%2C%20to%20ensure%20their%20full%20participation%20in%20society%2C%20on%20an%20equal%20basis%20with%20others.%u201D%20Commission%20President%20von%20der%20Leyen%0A%0A%23%23%20Enhancing%20equal%20participation%20and%20non-discrimination%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20EU%20rights%0APersons%20with%20disabilities%20have%20the%20same%20right%20as%20other%20EU%20citizens%20to%20move%20to%20another%20country%20or%20to%20participate%20in%20political%20life.%20Building%20on%20the%20experience%20of%20the%20pilot%20project%20ongoing%20in%20eight%20countries%2C%20by%20the%20end%20of%202023%20the%20European%20Commission%20will%20propose%20a%20European%20Disability%20Card%20for%20all%20EU%20countries%20that%20will%20facilitate%20mutual%20recognition%20of%20disability%20status%20between%20the%20Member%20States%2C%20helping%20disabled%20people%20enjoy%20their%20right%20of%20free%20movement.%20The%20Commission%20will%20also%20work%20closely%20with%20the%20Member%20States%20to%20ensure%20the%20participation%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20in%20the%20electoral%20process%20in%202023.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Independent%20living%20and%20autonomy%0APersons%20with%20disabilities%20have%20the%20right%20to%20live%20independently%20and%20choose%20where%20and%20with%20whom%20they%20want%20to%20live.%20To%20support%20independent%20living%20and%20inclusion%20in%20the%20community%2C%20the%20Commission%20will%20develop%20guidance%20and%20launch%20an%20initiative%20to%20improve%20social%20services%20for%20persons%20with%20disabilities.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Non-discrimination%20and%20equal%20opportunities%0AThe%20strategy%20aims%20to%20protect%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20from%20any%20form%20of%20discrimination%20and%20violence.%20It%20aims%20to%20ensure%20equal%20opportunities%20in%20and%20access%20to%20justice%2C%20education%2C%20culture%2C%20sport%20and%20tourism.%20Equal%20access%20must%20also%20be%20guaranteed%20to%20
80all%20health%20services%20and%20employment.%0A%0A%0A%23%23%20Flagship%20projects%0A%0ATo%20foster%20the%20inclusion%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20the%20Commission%20will%20propose%20several%20flagship%20initiatives%3A%0A%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20AccessibleEU%0A%0AIn%202022%20the%20Commission%20will%20launch%20a%20European%20resource%20centre%20AccessibleEU%20to%20increase%20coherence%20in%20accessibility%20policies%20and%20facilitate%20access%20to%20relevant%20knowledge.%20This%20cooperation%20framework%20will%20bring%20together%20national%20authorities%20responsible%20for%20implementing%20and%20enforcing%20accessibility%20rules%20with%20experts%20and%20professionals%20from%20all%20areas%20of%20accessibility%2C%20to%20share%20good%20practices%20across%20sectors%2C%20to%20inspire%20policy%20development%20at%20the%20national%20and%20EU%20level%2C%20as%20well%20as%20to%20develop%20tools%20and%20standards%20aiming%20to%20facilitate%20implementation%20of%20EU%20law.%20The%20Commission%20will%20start%20preparations%20for%20AccessibleEU%20within%20the%20newly%20established%20Disability%20Platform.%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20European%20Disability%20Card%0A%0AFree%20movement%20of%20persons%20is%20a%20right%20of%20every%20EU%20citizen.%20The%20Commission%20will%20propose%20a%20European%20Disability%20Card%20recognised%20by%20all%20Member%20States%2C%20that%20will%20make%20it%20easier%20for%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20to%20exercise%20their%20right%20to%20move%20freely.%20The%20Commission%20will%20propose%20creating%20a%20European%20Disability%20Card%20by%20end%20of%202023%20with%20a%20view%20to%20be%20recognised%20in%20all%20Member%20States.%20It%20will%20build%20on%20the%20experience%20of%20the%20ongoing%20EU%20Disability%20Card%20pilot%20project%20in%20eight%20Member%20States%20and%20upon%20the%20European%20parking%20card%20for%20persons%20with%20disabilities.%0A%0A","The strategy calls for an inclusive society in which the rights of people living with disabilities are protected and where there is no discrimination.","/european-disability-strategy","2023-11-25T12:59:09.000Z","2023-11-26T15:13:42.000Z",{"idx":271,"title":272,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":232,"menu_position":232,"tags":273,"picture":274,"content_e2r":10,"content":277,"excerpt":278,"default_type":29,"url":279,"created_at":280,"modified_at":281,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},42,"Inclusion Indicators ","inclusion,european union,disability,Inclusion Indicators",{"alt":275,"picture":276},"Inclusion Indicators","https://str.inclusion.eu/1ae9325913c0e75f069412a0f.jpg","Living%20in%20your%20own%20place.%20Having%20friends.%20Making%2
800your%20own%20choices.%20Being%20good%20at%20something.%20Belonging.%20That%u2019s%20what%20inclusion%20is%20about.%20That%u2019s%20what%20many%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20denied.%20%0A%0A**Inclusion%20Indicators%20show%20what%20Europe%20looks%20like%20for%2020%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.**%u202F%0A%0AStarting%20in%202023%2C%20Inclusion%20Indicators%20are%20**updated%20every%20year%20to%20provide%20data%20and%20comparison%20across%2030+%20European%20countries.**%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Data%20for%20Inclusion%20Indicators%0A%0AInclusion%20Indicators%20reports%20cover%207%20topics%20important%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20families%3A%20%20%0A%0A1.%20Right%20to%20decide%20and%20right%20to%20vote%20%20%0A2.%20Right%20to%20live%20independently%20and%20to%20be%20included%20in%20the%20community%20%20%0A3.%20Housing%20and%20support%0A4.%20Education%0A5.%20Employment%0A6.%20Healthcare%0A7.%20Representation%0A%0AInclusion%20Indicators%20reflect%20experiences%20and%20views%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20provided%20by%20their%20representative%20organisations.%u202FThe%20reports%20are%20based%20on%20answers%20from%20our%20member%20organisations.%0A%0A%21%5Bindicators_25_banner.jpg%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/abd4926d4300153c68fc9850c.jpg%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%202025%20Inclusion%20Indicators%0A33%20countries%20covered.%20Plus%2C%20an%20extra%20chapter%20with%20focus%20on%20housing%20and%20support.%20%0A%0A-%20Key%20findings%3A%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%202025%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2025-key-findings%29%0A-%20Full%20report%3A%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%202025%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/abd4926d4300153c68fc98502.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%202024%20Inclusion%20Indicators%0A%0A31%20countries%20covered.%20Plus%2C%20a%20survey%20of%20more%20than%20400%20self-advocates%3A%0A%0A-%20Key%20findings%3A%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%202024%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2024-key-findings%29%0A-%20Full%20report%3A%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%202024%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca9050b.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%202023%20Inclusion%20Indicators%0A%0AThis%20new%20report%20shows%20information%20about%2029%20countries%2C%2023%20of%20them%20in%20the%20EU%3A%0A%0A-%20Summary%3A%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%202023%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-report-2023%253A-union-of-equality%253F-here%25E2%2580%2599s-the-reality.%29%0A-%20Full%20report%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%202023%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/4fbaa7b98fcf6c493d7f54e03.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A-%20%20Fran%E7ais%20-%20rapport%20complet%20%3A%20%5BIndicateurs%20d%27inclusion%202023%5D%28http%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Inclusion-indicators-2023-report-fr.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Online%20overview%0A%0AIn%20the%20table%20below%2C%20you%20can%20view%20**country**%20scores%20for%20each%20indicator.%20You%20can%20switch%20between%20different%20yeears%2C%20and%20you%20can%20click%20on%20the%20country%20for%20details.%20You%20can%20click%20on%20the%20arrows%20next%20to%20an%20indicator%20to%20switch%20country%20comparisons.","Inclusion Indicators reveal what Europe looks like for 20 million people with intellectual disabilities and their family members.","/indicators","2023-11-25T15:24:10.000Z","2025-12-17T13:05:25.000Z",{"idx":283,"title":284,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":285,"picture":286,"content_e2r":10,"content":289,"excerpt":290,"default_type":29,"url":291,"created_at":292,"modified_at":293,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},44,"Rosa Estaràs Ferragut: Shaping the future of the 2024 European Union elections ","Disability rights,Legal capacity,Intersectionality",{"alt":287,"picture":288},"Woman siting at the table looking over documents.","https://str.inclusion.eu/bad073077c38defc13bd8ff05.jpg","Rosa%20Estar%E0s%20Ferragut%20is%20a%20member%20of%20the%20European%20Parliament%2C%20from%20the%20Group%20of%20the%20%5BEuropean%20People%u2019s%20Party%5D%28https%3A//www.eppgroup.eu/%29.%0A%0ASince%202009%2C%20she%20is%20a%20member%20of%20the%20%5BDisability%20Intergroup%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/disability-intergroup/%29.%20She%20is%20also%20active%20in%20the%u202FCommittee%20on%20Employment%20and%20Social%20Affairs%20and%20the%20Committee%20on%20Women%u2019s%20Rights%20and%20Gender%20Equality.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Legal%20capacity%20and%20voting%20rights%20%0A%0AMany%20people%20under%20guardianship%20can%u2019t%20vote%20or%20stand%20for%20elections.%20This%20means%20they%20can%u2019t%20participate%20in%20political%20life%20and%20make%20decisions%20for%20themselves%20and%20the%20country%20where%20they%20live.%20The
80ir%20participation%20in%20democracy%20is%20limited.%20%0A%0AMEP%20Rosa%20Estar%E0s%20defines%20the%20denial%20of%20voting%20rights%20as%20a%20%u2018big%20democratic%20anomaly%u2019%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20*%u201CWe%20have%20to%20guarantee%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20for%20all%20citizens.%20People%20cannot%20be%20excluded%20because%20they%20have%20some%20kind%20of%20disability%2C%20European%20citizens%20cannot%20be%20excluded%20from%20their%20right%20to%20vote%20and%20to%20participate%20in%20elections.%u201D*%0A%0ARosa%20Estar%E0s%20said%20it%20is%20important%20to%20urge%20all%20EU%20countries%20to%20comply%20with%20%5BUNCRPD%5D%28https%3A//social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/crpd/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-crpd%29%2C%20which%20states%20that%20voting%20right%20is%20a%20right%20of%20all%20citizens.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20*%u201CWe%20must%20insist%20that%20all%20Member%20States%20make%20all%20legislative%20changes%20to%20comply%20with%20the%20United%20Nations%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20and%20comply%20with%20democracy.%u201D*%0A%0AAs%20an%20example%2C%20she%20reported%20that%20in%202018%2C%20Spain%20undertook%20the%20reform%20of%20its%20general%20electoral%20law%20to%20allow%20all%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20to%20exercise%20their%20right%20to%20vote.%20With%20this%20reform%20100%2C000%20Spanish%20citizens%20who%20were%20deprived%20of%20this%20right%20can%20now%20vote.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Discrimination%20and%20participation%20%0A%0AWomen%20with%20disabilities%20face%20many%20difficulties%2C%20firstly%20because%20they%20are%20women%20and%20because%20they%20are%20people%20with%20disabilities%2C%20that%20is%20to%20say%2C%20they%20have%20a%20double%20circumstance%20that%20generates%20greater%20discrimination.%0A%0AWomen%20with%20disabilities%20face%20intersectional%20discrimination%20in%20many%20areas%20of%20life.%20MEP%20Estar%E0s%20Ferragut%20added%20that%20the%20first%20thing%20to%20do%20is%20to%20fight%20against%20discrimination%20in%20the%20areas%20of%20education%20and%20workplace.%20In%20this%20way%2C%20it%20is%20possible%20to%20achieve%20greater%20inclusivity%20and%20greater%20participation.%20%0A%0ARosa%20Estar%E0s%20reported%20examples%20of%20how%20women%20with%20disabilities%20are%20discriminated%20against%20in%20daily%20life.%0A%0A**Regarding%20employment%3A%20**%0A%0A-%20unemployment%20rates%20for%20women%20with%20disabilities%20throughout%20Europe%20are%20higher%20than%20for%20men%20with%20disabilities%20%0A-%20both%20men%20and%20women%20with%20disabilities%20have%20higher%20rates%20of%20unemployment%20than%20people%20without%20disabilities%0A-%20difficulties%20in%20social%20participation%20%20%0A%0A**Regarding%20justice%20and%20equality%3A**%20%0A%0A-%20women%20with%20disabilities%20face%20many%20problems%20to%20access%20justice%0A-%20there%20are%20higher%20rates%20of%20violence%20against%20women%20with%20disabilities%0A-%20access%20to%20health%20services%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20*%u201CWe%20have%20to%20take%20many%20steps%20to%20be%20able%20to%20change%20all%20this%20and%20to%20have%20data%20to%20be%20able%20to%20make%20strategies%20to%20remove%20all%20the%20obstacles%20and%20discrimination%20of%20which%20they%20are%20already%20victims.%u201D*%0A%0A%23%23%23%20European%20elections%3A%20inclusive%20political%20campaigns%20and%20data%20%0A%0ARosa%20Estar%E0s%20discussed%20with%20us%20how%20political%20campaigns%20and%20messages%20often%20overlook%20the%20concerns%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20*%u201CWe%20have%20a%20European%20Disability%20Strategy%20and%20a%20Gender%20Strategy%2C%20but%20we%20need%20a%20lot%20of%20data%20to%20be%20able%20to%20create%20an%20adequate%20strategy%20for%20all%20those%20women%20with%20disabilities.%u201D*%20%0A%0AFor%20Rosa%20Estar%E0s%2C%20it%20is%20necessary%20to%20have%20all%20the%20data%20to%20be%20able%20to%20create%20strategies%20that%20are%20precisely%20aimed%20at%20the%20specific%20needs%20of%20these%20women.%20Collecting%20data%20is%20a%20priority%20to%20increase%20accessibility%20and%20inclusion%20in%20the%20labour%20market%2C%20justice%2C%20participation%20and%20fair%20salaries.%20It%20is%20also%20important%20to%20avoid%20a%20digital%20divide%20and%20to%20fight%20against%20violence%20against%20women.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20EU%20institutions%20and%20political%20participation%3A%20best%20practices%20%0A%0ARosa%20Estar%E0s%20mentioned%20the%20existence%20of%20specific%20networks%20for%20women%20with%20disabilities%2C%20but%20also%20the%20need%20for%20more%20networks%20like%20these.%20For%20instance%2C%20the%20Association%20of%20Women%20with%20Disabilities%20%28CERMI%29%2C%20was%20created%20in%202014.%20They%20work%20with%20networks%20and%20are%20part%20of%20many%20alliances.%2
800They%20also%20conduct%20studies%20and%20have%20a%20permanent%20observatory.%20%0A%0A%0A%0A","An interview with MEP Rosa Estaràs Ferragut about her commitment to disability rights and her perspective on the upcoming European elections.","/rosa-estar%C3%A0s-ferragut%3A-shaping-the-future-of-the-2024-european-union-elections","2023-11-27T13:50:47.000Z","2023-11-28T19:53:25.000Z",{"idx":295,"title":296,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":297,"picture":298,"content_e2r":10,"content":301,"excerpt":302,"default_type":29,"url":303,"created_at":304,"modified_at":305,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},45,"Samaneh Shibani: Voting rights and representation in politics ","woman,political participation,european elections",{"alt":299,"picture":300},"Woman looking at her laptop while sitting at the desk in a dark lit room.","https://str.inclusion.eu/bad073077c38defc13bd8ff06.JPG","Samaneh%20Shabani%20works%20at%20the%20European%20Disability%20Forum%20%28EDF%29%2C%20as%20Women%u2019s%20Rights%20Officer.%0A%0AI%20met%20Samaneh%20to%20discuss%20about%20the%20political%20participation%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities.%20We%20talked%20about%20the%20work%20of%20EDF%27s%20Women%20Committee.%0A%0ASamaneh%u2019s%20has%20worked%20on%20gender%20and%20disability%2C%20and%20wrote%20a%20book%20on%20domestic%20violence%20against%20women%20with%20disabilities%20and%20access%20to%20justice%20in%20Iran.%0A%0A%23%23%20EDF%u2019s%20Women%20Committee%20and%20representation%20%0A%0AThe%20Women%u2019s%20committee%20is%20responsible
80%20to%20promote%20rights%20of%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20disabilities.%20They%20collaborate%20with%20movements%20such%20as%20the%20European%20Women%u2019s%20Lobby%20and%20the%20European%20Coalition%20to%20End%20Violence%20against%20Women%20and%20Girls.%20%20%0A%0AThe%20role%20of%20the%20Women%u2019s%20committee%20is%20to%20mainstream%20the%20gender%20perspective%20in%20all%20the%20activities%20of%20the%20European%20Disability%20Forum%20%28EDF%29.%20%0A%0AThe%20Women%u2019s%20committee%20has%2013%20members%20and%204%20observers%20from%20different%20organisations%20from%20all%20over%20Europe%2C%20including%20Senada%20Halil%u010Devi%u0107.%0A%0A*%u201CWe%20represent%20people%20with%20visual%20impairment%2C%20physical%20disabilities%2C%20hearing%20disabilities%20or%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20The%20idea%20is%20that%20all%20of%20those%20different%20groups%20are%20well%20represented.%u201D*%20%0A%0AAll%20the%20different%20groups%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20need%20to%20be%20represented%20because%20they%20have%20different%20priorities.%20Each%20member%20is%20responsible
80%20for%20different%20topics%3A%20violence%2C%20%20employment%2C%20inclusion%2C%20accessibility.%20%20%0A%0AThe%20Women%u2019s%20committee%20also%20represents%20mothers%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities.%20They%20know%20a%20lot%20about%20disability%20because%20they%20often%20take%20care%20of%20their%20child%20with%20a%20disability.%0A%0A%23%23%20The%20role%20of%20EDF%u2019s%20Women%20Committee%20in%20promoting%20political%20rights%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities%20%0A%0AEvery%2010%20years%2C%20EDF%20publishes%20a%20Manifesto%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Women%20and%20Girls%20with%20Disabilities%20in%20the%20European%20Union.%20%20%0A%0ASamaneh%20is%20working%20on%20the%20third%20Manifesto%2C%20for%20this%20year.2023%2C%20that%20will%20be%20on%20leadership%20and%20empowerment.%20%20%0A%0AWomen%20with%20disabilities%20share%20their%20challenges%2C%20needs%20and%20ideas%20about%20different%20things%2C%20including%20political%20participation%20and%20self-advocacy.%0A%0AThere%20is%20a%20lack%20of%20data%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20disability%20and%20gender.%20It%20is%20difficult%20to%20find%20data%20on%20women%20with%20disabilities%20in%20political%20participation%2C%20and%20even%20more%20for%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0AGiving%20women%20with%20disabilities%20a%20voice%20is%20a%20priority%20of%20the%20woman%27s%20committee%20and%20to%20make%20people%20understand%20that%20women%20can%20participate%20actively%20in%20society%20and%20political%20life.%0A%0A*%22In%20some%20countries%2C%20women%20still%20don%27t%20have%20equal%20rights%20in%20political%20participation.%u201D*%0A%0AAlthough%20countries%20should%20ensure%20equal%20political%20rights%20here%20are%20still%20many%20challenges%20and%20obstacles.%20Some%20European%20countries%20do%20not%20recognise%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20or%20run%20for%20the%20elections.%20They%20are%20often%20fully%20or%20partially%20deprived%20of%20their%20legal%20capacity.%0A%0A*%u201CWhen%20it%20comes%20to%20disability%20and%20gender%2C%20there%20are%20big%20challenges%20like%20accessibility%2C%20lack%20of%20reasonable%20accommodation%2C%20discrimination%2C%20and%20inequality%20in%20general.%20In%20the%20case%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20but%20also%20have%20denial%20or%20restriction%20of%20legal%20capacity%u201D.*%20%0A%0AIn%20many%20countries%2C%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20cannot%20participate%20and%20represent%20themselves%20in%20the%20public%20life.%20Even%20where%20voting%20rights%20are%20guaranteed%2C%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20intersectional%20discrimination%20and%20stereotypes.%20%0A%0AFor%20Samaneh%20it%20is%20very%20important%20to%20talk%20about%20the%20stereotypes%20and%20challenges%20that%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face.%20%0A%0A*%u201CWomen%20with%20disabilities%20face%20more%20violence%20or%20forms%20of%20hate%20speech%20when%20they%20act%20as%20politicians%20and%20activists.%u201D*%20%0A%0AShe%20reported%20an%20example%20of%20hate%20speech%20from%202018%2C%20when%20a%20male%20politician%20from%20Iceland%20made%20comments%20about%20a%20female%20colleague%20with%20a%20disability.%20%20%0A%0ASamaneh%20explained%20how%20male%20dominancy%20still%20exists%20and%20that%20it%20impacts%20women%20disabilities%20in%20many%20ways%3A%20%20%0A%0A-Stereotypes%20result%20in%20a%20lack%20of%20awareness%20in%20the%20society.%20%20%0A%0A-Expectations%20towards%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20low.%20%0A%0A-Women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20often%20treated%20as%20children%2C%20regardless%20of%20their%20level%20of%20education%20or%20experience.%20%20%0A%0A-This%20has%20an%20impact%20on%20the%20vision%20women%20with%20disabilities%20have%20of%20themselves%2C%20for%20example%20they%20may%20think%20they%20are%20not%20qualified%20enough.%20%0A%0A*%u201CTheir%20behaviour%20and%20the%20way%20of%20their%20life%20is%20different%20and%20it%27s%20just%20the%20diversity.%20This%20does%20not%20mean%20that%20they%27re%20missing%2
800something%2C%20or%20that%20they%20are%20not%20qualified.%20This%20is%20not%20the%20case%2C%20and%20this%20is%20really%20the%20misunderstanding%20among%20the%20society.%20When%20we%20say%20somebody%20has%20an%20intellectual%20disability%2C%20society%20believes%20we%20cannot%20count%20on%20their%20ideas.%u201D*%0A%0AThe%20consequences%20of%20the%20lack%20of%20presence%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities%20in%20policy%20and%20decision-making%20positions%20and%20in%20organiszations%20promoting%20human%20rights%20are%20that%20as%20long%20as%20women%20with%20disabilities%20are%20not%20activeactively%20involved%2C%20their%20concerns%20will%20remain%20unheard.%0A%0A*%u201CThe%20concerns%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities%20wouldn%27t%20be%20reflected%2C%20so%20we%u2019re%20simply%20missing%20part%20of%20our%20society.%20We%20need%20to%20give%20voice%20to%20them%2C%20to%20talk%20about%20their%20needs%20and%20their%20concerns%20from%20their%20point%20of%20view%20with%20a%20genuine%20voice%20and%20not%20a%20voice%20coming%20from%20other%20people.%u201D*%0A%0ADemocracy%20means%20that%20everybody%20has%20their%20voice.%20People%20with%20disabilities%20are%20part%20of%20the%20society%20and%20shouldn%27t%20be%20marginalized.%0A%0A*%u201CNothing%20about%20us%20without%20us%u201D*%20%0A%0ASamaneh%20gave%20some%20tips%20for%20girls%20with%20disabilities%20who%20want%20to%20work%20in%20politics%20and%20leadership.%20%0A%0AShe%20spoke%20about%20the%20importance%20of%20being%20active%20in%20networking.%20%20%0A%0ABeing%20included%20in%20organizations%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20will%20give%20the%20chance%20to%20have%20enough%20support%20and%20network%20to%20go%20further%20to%20express%20ourselves.%20%20%0A%0AIt%20also%20helps%20feeling%20understood%20when%20facing%20challenges%20and%20discrimination.%20%0A%0ASamaneh%u2019s%20words%20should%20be%20heard%20by%20all%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20disabilities%2C%20and%20by%20everyone%3A%0A%0A*%u201CWhen%20we%20are%20together%2C%20we%20have%20stronger%20voice.%u201D*%20%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A","An interview with Samaneh Shibani, a women's rights officer at the European Disability Forum, about political participation of women with disabilities.","/samaneh-shibani%3A-voting-rights-and-representation-in-politics","2023-11-27T16:25:47.000Z","2023-11-28T19:57:28.000Z",{"idx":307,"title":308,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":309,"picture":310,"content_e2r":10,"content":313,"excerpt":314,"default_type":29,"url":315,"created_at":316,"modified_at":317,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},46,"Include news November 2023: Accessible technology, Over-medication report ","include news",{"alt":311,"picture":312},"Include News","https://str.inclusion.eu/85ed4d167f8d92b2b91523600.png","%23%23%23%20Spain%3A%20Technology%20Alliance%20for%20Inclusion%20created%0AThe%20%5BTechnology%20Alliance%20for%20Inclusion%5D%28https%3A//www.plenainclusion.org/l/transformacion-digital/%29%20is%20a%20union%20between%20organisations%20and%20companies%20that%20are%20dedicated%20to%20technology%20to%20overcome%20the%20digital%20divide%20of%20people%20with%20comprehension%20difficulties.%20The%20goal%20of%20the%20alliance%20is%20to%20make%20technology%20easier%20to%20understand%20and%20use%20for%20all%20people.%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Czechia%201%3A%20Report%20about%20parents%2C%20and%20about%20living%20independently%20as%20adults%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0A%0A%5BNew%20report%5D%28https%3A//www.spmpcr.cz/sites/default/files/2023-10/final_zprava_rodice_z_hnizda.pdf%29%20surveyed%20parents%20of%20daughters%20and%20sons%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20The%20report%20asked%20about%20how%20they%20are%20preparing%20to%20support%20independent%20life%20in%20adulthood.%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Poland%3A%2060th%20anniversary%20of%20PSONI%0APSONI%20is%20member%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20PSONI%20celebrated%20their%2060th%20anniversary%20%5Bduring%20a%20conference%5D%28https%3A//psoni.org.pl/bez-kategorii-pl/w-miniony-czwartek-zakonczylo-sie-lxiv-sympozjum-naukowe/%29%20on%2012%20November.%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Updates%20from%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A%0A-%20Board%20members%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20met%20on%2022%20November%2C%20online%20and%20discussed%20strategy%20for%20the%20next%20years%20and%20Theresa%20Shearer%20was%20appointed%20as%20Inclusion%20Europe%20vice-president%20for%20second%20term.%0A%0A-%20**You%20can%20now%20follow%20our%20%5BWhatsApp%20channel%5D%28https%3A//www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaDx78BChq6OjHRBRt0Q%29**%0A%0A%23%23%23%20European%20Commission%3A%20European%20Semester%2C%20Employment%20report%0AThe%20Commission%20has%20%5Blaunched%5D%28https%3A//ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp%3FlangId%3Den%26catId%3D89%26furtherNews%3Dyes%26newsId%3D10697%23navItem-1%29%20the%202024%20European%20Semester%20cycle%20of%20economic%20policy%20coordination.%0A%0AProposal%20for%20the%20employment%20report%20highlights%20the%20need%20to%20tackle%20wage%20disparities%2C%20lower%20employment%20rates%20for%20example%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities%2C%20and%20shortage%20of%20skills%20and%20workforce.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Czechia%202%3A%20Over-medication%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0A%0A%5BNew%20report%5D%28https%3A//rokdustojnosti.cz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Brozura-netlum-2023_FINAL.pdf%29%20says%20that%20there%20are%2062%2C636%20adults%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Czechia%2C%20according%20to%20official%20health%20statistic.%2019%2C094%20of%20them%20showed%20signs%20of%20%u201Cch
80allenging%20behaviour%u201D.%20More%20than%20a%20third%20%2837%25%29%20of%20adults%20with%20intellectual%20disability%20disability%20were%20prescribed%20medication%20for%20schizophrenia%20and%20other%20psychoses%20in%20the%20last%2012%20years.%20But%2082%25%20of%20them%20do%20not%20have%20such%20mental%20illness.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Croatia%3A%20Adopted%20draft%20Law%20on%20iclusive%20supplement%0A%0AAn%20%5Binclusive%20allowance%5D%28https%3A//mrosp.gov.hr/vijesti/na-sjednici-vlade-rh-prihvacen-nacrt-prijedloga-zakona-o-inkluzivnom-dodatku/13226%29%20is%20a%20monetary%20allowance%20intended%20for%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20for%20the%20purpose%20of%20overcoming%20various%20obstacles%20that%20may%20prevent%20their%20full%20and%20effective%20participation%20in%20society%20on%20an%20equal%20basis%20with%20others.%20The%20supplement%20will%20be%20used%20for%3A%0A%0A-%20personal%20disability%20allowance%0A-%20benefit%20for%20assistance%20and%20care%0A-%20child%20benefit%20in%20an%20increased%20amount%0A-%20financial%20assistance%20for%20unemployed%20persons%20with%20disabilities","Include news brings you updates about work done for inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in Europe. This post is updated during the month.","/include-news-november-2023%3A-accessible-technology-over-medication-report","2023-11-28T15:31:36.000Z","2026-04-07T12:31:42.000Z",{"idx":319,"title":320,"author":258,"article_type":321,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":322,"picture":323,"content_e2r":326,"content":132,"excerpt":327,"default_type":251,"url":328,"created_at":329,"modified_at":330,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},47,"People with intellectual disabilities and access to elections","e2r_article","european elections,intellectual disabilities,accessability,legal capacity",{"alt":324,"picture":325},"Dark blue background. Yellow stars. People with disabilities walking on the stars.","https://str.inclusion.eu/dc6bdebf82bc49302c424b000.png","[{\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/dc6bdebf82bc49302c424b005.png\", \"text\": \"It should be a normal thing to be \\nable to participate in the elections as a citizen.\\n\\nThe UNCRPD confirms the right to vote \\nand be elected for people with disabilities.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/dc6bdebf82bc49302c424b002.png\", \"text\": \"There are still restrictions in several EU States, especially for persons with intellectual disabilities.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/dc6bdebf82bc49302c424b003.png\", \"text\": \"15 EU countries grant full voting rights \\nfor people with intellectual disabilities under guardianship.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/dc6bdebf82bc49302c424b004.JPG\", \"text\": \"7 EU countries grant limited voting rights \\nfor people with intellectual disabilities under guardianship.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/dc6bdebf82bc49302c424b006.png\", \"text\": \"5 EU countries grant no voting rights \\nfor people with intellectual disabilities under guardianship\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/dc6bdebf82bc49302c424b007.png\", \"text\": \"People with disabilities who are under guardianship might not be allowed to vote because of certain laws.\\n\\nSome people have to make a hard decision \\nbetween keeping their rights and getting a disability allowance. \\n\\nThis choice isn't fair.\\n\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/dc6bdebf82bc49302c424b008.png\", \"text\": \"A big problem that stops people with disabilities from voting is that many things aren not easy for them to use. \\n\\nThe places where you vote, the papers you vote on, the machines you use to vote, \\nand the information you get.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/dc6bdebf82bc49302c424b00a.png\", \"text\": \"All of these can be hard for people with disabilities. \\n\\nEven online the politicians post about their campaigns don't always think about people with disabilities.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/dc6bdebf82bc49302c424b00b.png\", \"text\": \"The big problem is that not many \\npeople with disabilities are involved in politics. \\n\\nThis means that the people who should be\\nspeaking up for them and fighting for their rights don't get chosen to do that job.\"}]","There are more than 7 million people with intellectual disabilities and their families in the European Union. Their votes matter. Election campaigns must also reach people with intellectual disabilities. Both elections and campaigns must be fully accessible.","/people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-access-to-elections","2023-11-29T10:23:31.000Z","2023-11-29T10:24:51.000Z",{"idx":332,"title":333,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":334,"picture":335,"content_e2r":10,"content":336,"excerpt":10,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":337,"created_at":338,"modified_at":339,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},49,"Senada HalilÄeviÄ, self-advocacy and supported decision making","Self-advocacy,EPSA,EDF,Self-empowerment,Decision making",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"Senada%20Halil%u010Devi%u0107%20is%20a%20self-advocate%20from%20Croatia.%20%0A%0AShe%20was%20the%20chair%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%20%28EPSA%29%20and%20Vice-president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20%0A%0AShe%20took%20part%20in%20the%20%5BEnd%20Segregation%20campaign%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/end-segregation/%29%20and%20is%20a%20strong%20advocate%20of%20deinstitutionalisation.%0A%0AWe%20discussed%20with%20Senada%20about%20the%20importance%20of%20self-advocacy%20and%20supported%20decision-making%20for%20the%20**political%20participation%20of%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities**.%20%0A%0AAs%20an%20%5BEPSA%20%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/european-platform-of-self-advocates-epsa/%29member%2C%20she%20is%20very%20active%20in%20her%20country%20and%20takes%20part%20in%20international%20conferences.%20She%20is%20also%20a%20member%20of%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Disability%20Forum%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/%29%20%28EDF%29%u2019s%20Women%27s%20committee%2C%20where%20she%20represents%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20shares%20their%20concerns.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20About%20self-advocacy%0A%0A%5BSelf-advocacy%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/self-advocacy/%29%20means%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20speak%20up%20for%20themselves.%20Senada%20explained%20that%20self-advocacy%20is%20closely%20related%20to%20%5Bdecision-making%20and%20support%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/legal-capacity/%29.%20%0A%0AFor%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20having%20the%20necessary%20information%20in%20%5Beasy-to-read%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/easy-to-read/%29%20is%20very%20important.%20This%20format%20allows%20them%20to%20understand%20things%20and%20make%20good%20decisions%20for%20themselves%20not%20only%20for%20private%20matters%2C%20but%20also%20for%20political%20participation.%20%0A%0ASenada%20said%20that%20through%20self-advocacy%2C%20it%20is%20possible%20to%20hear%20the%20different%20experiences%20of%20other%20people%20and%20know%20about%20the%20challenges%20they%20face.%20%0A%0A*%u201CSelf-advocacy%20plays%20a%20major%20role%20in%20empowering%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%u201D*%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Discrimination%20and%20stereotypes%20%0A%0AWomen%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20often%20not%20considered%20or%20valued%20for%20their%20expertise%20and%20knowledge.%20%20%0A%0AThey%20also%20face%20discrimination%20when%20they%20want%20to%20participate%20in%20political%20life.%20%0A%0AAs%20many%20other%20women%20with%20disabilities%2C%20Senada%20experienced%20inequalities%20and%20stereotypes.%20%20%0A%0A%0AShe%20told%20me%20about%20a%20bad%20episode%20that%20happened%20in%20her%20life%3A%0A%0A*%u201CA%20few%20years%20ago%2C%20I%20called%20a%20store%20to%20inquire%20about%20a%20product%20I%20needed%20to%20buy.%20When%20I%20called%20that%20store%20and%20asked%20if%20they%20had%20that%20product%2C%20the%20lady%20who%20answered%20the%20phone%20commented%20to%20the%20other%20saleswoman%3A%20%u2018mentally%20retarded%20person%20called%u2019%20and%20hung%20up%20on%20me.%u201D*%20%0A%0ASociety%20has%20still%20many%20negative%20stereotypes%20towards%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20They%20are%20humiliated%20and%20not%20taken%20seriously.%20%20%0A%0AThis%20is%20especially%20true%20for%20women.%20%0A%0ASometimes%2C%20women%20with%20disabilities%20interiorise%20**stigma**%20and%20do%20not%20feel%20encouraged%20to%20express%20themselves%20or%20**make%20decisions**.%20%20%0A%0AThey%20do%20not%20feel%20allowed%20to%20make%20political%20choices%20and%20participate%20in%20**elections**.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Right%20to%20vote%20and%20barriers%0A%0A14%20European%20countries%20still%20limit%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20under%20guardianship.%20%20%0A%0AThis%20is%20not%20fair.%20With%20the%20right%20support%2C%20they%20are%20perfectly%20able%20to%20make%20decisions%20and%20vote.%20%0A%0AYet%2C%20in%20many%20European%20countries%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20deprived%20of%20legal%20capacity%20and%20cannot%20run%20for%20elections.%0A%0AThere%20are%20not%20only%20legal%2C%20but%20also%20practical%20barriers.%20%20%0A%0AThis%20means%20that%20even%20when%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20is%20guaranteed%2C%20there%20are%20many%20obstacles.%20%0A%0AAmong%20them%2C%20there%20is%20the%20lack%20of%20accessibility%20and%20reasonable%20accommodation%20such%20as%20
80assistance%2C%20assistive%20tools%20and%20alternative%20means%20of%20voting.%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0AThe%20situation%20for%20people%20living%20in%20institutions%20is%20even%20worst.%20This%20is%20why%20it%20is%20important%20to%20advocate%20for%20deinstitutionalisation.%20%20%0A%0AInstitutions%20segregate%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20form%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20community.%20They%20are%20never%20an%20option.%20%0A%0A*%u201CAlthough%20I%20had%20the%20right%20to%20participate%20in%20the%20elections%20while%20I%20was%20in%20the%20institution%2C%20I%20could%20not%20use%20that%20right%20because%20I%20was%20not%20allowed%20to%20go%20outside%20the%20institution%20alone.%20And%20none%20of%20the%20employees%20wanted%20to%20give%20me%20any%20support%20so%20that%20I%20could%20participate%20in%20the%20elections.%u201D*%0A%0AWomen%20have%20always%20been%20excluded%20from%20**political%20decisions**.%20%0A%0AThis%20is%20even%20more%20true%20for%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20They%20are%20judged%20all%20the%20time%20and%20are%20not%20allowed%20to%20make%20choices.%20%0A%0APeople%20do%20not%20understand%20that%2C%20with%20the%20necessary%20support%2C%20they%20can%20make%20their%20decisions%20as%20everyone%20else.%20%0A%0AExcluding%20women%20with%20disabilities%20from%20the%20elections%20means%20excluding%20**part%20of%20society**.%20%0A%0AEveryone%20should%20be%20allowed%20to%20equally%20participate%20in%20**democracy**.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Progress%20and%20challenges%20%0A%0ASenada%20thinks%20that%20society%20is%20finally%20changing%20its%20perception%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0AMany%20self-advocates%20and%20activists%20are%20raising%20awareness%20about%20intellectual%20disability%2C%20and%20this%20is%20having%20a%20great%20impact.%20%0A%0AMany%20changes%20are%20taking%20place.%20For%20example%2C%20some%20countries%20are%20changing%20legislation%20and%20there%20are%20less%20stereotypes%20compared%20to%20the%20past.%0A%0A*%u201CWhen%20we%20look%20back%20a%20few%20years%2C%20we%20can%20see%20some%20difference%20in%20society%20in%20a%20good%20direction%20as%20far%20as%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20concerned.%u201D*%0A%0AHowever%2C%20Senada%20noticed%20that%20the%20process%20is%20still%20too%20slow%2C%20and%20the%20situation%20is%20not%20improving%20for%20women.%20%0A%0A*%u201CAs%20for%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20we%20unfortunately%20come%20across%20judgments%20against%20women%2C%20especially%20in%20planning%20and%20realising%20family%20life%2C%20participation%20in%20public%20and%20political%20life.%u201D*%20%20%0A%0AWomen%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20still%20face%20discrimination%20in%20many%20areas%20of%20life%2C%20including%20in%20public%20and%20political%20life.%20%0A%0A%20%0AHaving%20women%20like%20Senada%2C%20as%20a%20self-advocate%2C%20in%20leadership%2C%20political%20and%20decision-making%20positions%20is%20very%20important.%20%0A%0AIt%20is%20good%20in%20terms%20of%20**visibility**.%20Young%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20have%20the%20capacity%20to%20participate%20in%20political%20life%20and%20make%20important%20decisions%20for%20themselves%20and%20the%20society.%20They%20must%20know%20that%20they%20can%20be%20**active%20citizens**%20too.%20%0A%0A%20%0AIncluding%20more%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20politics%20is%20the%20only%20way%20to%20change%20society.%20","/senada-halil%C4%8Devi%C4%87-self-advocacy-and-supported-decision-making","2023-12-06T11:22:34.000Z","2023-12-06T14:47:44.000Z",{"idx":341,"title":342,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":343,"picture":344,"content_e2r":10,"content":346,"excerpt":347,"default_type":29,"url":348,"created_at":349,"modified_at":350,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},50,"Tamara Byrne and her experience as a self-advocate representing people with disabilities","Self-advocacy,Disabilities",{"alt":132,"picture":345},"https://str.inclusion.eu/f7025769da7bedcc0d62ca300.jpeg","Tamara%20Byrne%20spoke%20about%20her%20experience%20as%20a%20**self-advocate%20representing%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities**.%0A%0AShe%20spoke%20about%20what%20she%20stands%20for%3B%0AWhat%20she%20does%20to%20change%20the%20world%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%3B%20%0A%0AThe%20stereotypes%20she%20faces%20as%20
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800policy**%20with%20**Richard%20Baker%20and%20Heather%20Gilchrist**%20%28Enable%29%20%0A%0A**%22Marketplace%22%20exchange**%0AOpportunity%20to%20share%20your%20work%2C%20and%20learn%20from%20others%3A%0A-%20Right%20to%20vote%20and%20right%20to%20decide%0A-%20Education%0A%0A%0A**Wednesday%2C%208%20May**%0A%0A**Plenary%20sessions%3A**%0A%0A**1.%20Monitoring%20inclusion%2C%20advancing%20human%20rights**%0A-%20Stephanie%20Boyce%2C%20Scotland%0A-%20Milan%20Sverepa%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A%0A**2.%20EU%20disability%20rights%20and%20social%20policy**%0A-%20Katarina%20Ivankovi%u0107%20Kne%u017Eevi%u0107%2C%20European%20Commission%0A%0A**Workshops**%20%28both%20morning%20and%20afternoon%3A%0A-%20Elections%20in%20Scotland%20and%20the%20EU%20with%20Enable%2C%20and%20European%20Parliament%0A-%20**Struggle%20for%20rights%20and%20inclusion**%20with%20**Inclusion%20Ukraine**%0A-%20**Breaking%20barriers**%20with%20**Lianne%20Williams**%20%28Enable%29%0A-%20**PA%20Model**%20with%20Enable%0A%0A**Trainings%3A**%0A-%20**Fundraising**%20%0A%0A**%22Marketplace%22%20exchange**%0AOpportunity%20to%20share%20your%20work%2C%20and%20learn%20from%20others%3A%0A-%20Education%0A-%20Housing%20and%20support%0A-%20Employment%0A%0A**Inclusion%20Europe%20members%3A**%0A-%20General%20Meeting%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%0A-%20General%20assembly%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A%0A**Enable%2070th%20anniversary%20reception**%20in%20%5BKelvingrove%5D%28https%3A//www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/kelvingrove-art-gallery-and-museum%29%20Art%20Gallery%20and%20Museum%0A%0A%21%5BEnable%2070%20years%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2430.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A**Thursday%2C%209%20May**%0A%0APlenary%20session%3A%20Learning%20from%20Scotland%27s%20deinstitutionalisation%20journey%0A-%20Ruth%20McEwan%2C%20Lung%20Ha%20Theatre%20Company%0A-%20Session%20will%20include%20selected%20recorded%20extracts%20from%20Castle%20Lennox%20theatrical%20performance%0A%0AClosing%20plenary%0A-%20Theresa%20Shearer%20%28CEO%20of%20Enable%2C%20vice-president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%29%0A-%20Laszlo%20Bercse%2C%20vice-president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A%0A**%5BFull%20programme%20%28.pdf%29.%5D%28https%3A//media.enable.org.uk/media/kcrfqhdb/enable-conference-timetable_final.pdf%29**%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Location%0AUniversity%20of%20Strathclyde%2C%20The%20Technology%20and%20Innovation%20Centre%0A%0A99%20George%20Street%2C%20Glasgow%2C%20G1%201RD%20United%20Kingdom%0A%0A%21%5Bconference%20venue%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea242e.jpg%29%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%5BRead%20the%20conference%20report%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2024-report%29%0A%0A","Diversity. Equality. Inclusion. In action.","/europe-in-action-2024","2023-12-15T11:13:09.000Z","2025-06-23T00:15:54.000Z",{"idx":364,"title":365,"author":258,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":366,"picture":367,"content_e2r":10,"content":370,"excerpt":371,"default_type":29,"url":372,"created_at":373,"modified_at":374,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},52,"Hear our voices. Make it real. - Europe for us magazine 3/2023 ","self-advocacy,hear our voices,easy to read",{"alt":368,"picture":369},"Conference room. Person speaking with a microphone in front of the audience.","https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2407.png","%23%23%23%20Contents%20of%20the%20latest%20issue%3A%0A%0A1.%20Make%20it%20real%21%20-%20Self-advocates%u2019%20manifesto%0A2.%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%20conference%0A3.%20L%E1szl%F3%20Bercse%u2019s%20opening%20speech%0A4.%20L%E1szl%F3%20Bercse%27s%20closing%20speech%0A5.%20Self-advocacy%20in%20Ukraine%0A6.%20Thinking%20together%20about%20the%20future%0A7.%20The%20role%20of%20families%0A8.%20Young%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Sweden%0A9.%20Being%20independent%20and%20speaking%20out%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Language%20versions%3A%0A%0A%5BEnglish%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8ba83d59477ad25df22c47801.pdf%29%0A%5BNederlands%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea240d.pdf%29%0A%5BFran%E7ais%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea240e.pdf%29%0A%5BDeutsch%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8ba83d59477ad25df22c47800.pdf%29%0A%5BEspa%F1ol%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea240f.pdf%29%0A%5BRom%E2n%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2410.pdf%29%0A%5BMagyar%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2411.pdf%29%0A%5BItaliano%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2412.pdf%29%0A%5B%u0443%u043A%u0440%u0430%u0457%u043D%u0441%u044C%u043A%u0430%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2413.pdf%29%0A%0ASubscribe%20to%20our%20%5Bmailing%20list%5D%28https%3A//e34b73c4.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFACxokgTbhuJCuLfAc2Ifim0DgELA4WZiFONtpBoE4S0ec508gn0-InlSjqcNtJ60bcnzL6g4NJCdADATuGTFAzAa_NHSaI6NeuYHsvfX66u4tPlKpl64o7Qx41IY1u3RKOuUD1Asg1dmHbNqZQ3GSLReo-j00e9wswdEtqO1GS8H1TTfFyOIsCt4mfbeWdglJD0kVCynxGf9%29%20to%20receive%20Europe%20for%20us%20magazine%20in%20your%20email.%0A%0A**%5BPrevious%20issues%20
80of%20Europe%20for%20us.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-magazine%29**","Europe for Us is an easy-to-read magazine. It is published four times per year in English, French, German, Spanish, Romanian, Hungarian, Dutch and Italian.","/europe-for-us-3-2023","2023-12-20T16:25:23.000Z","2024-12-11T15:07:05.000Z",{"idx":376,"title":377,"author":258,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":378,"picture":379,"content_e2r":382,"content":383,"excerpt":384,"default_type":29,"url":385,"created_at":386,"modified_at":387,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},53,"Use your vote (If you have one). Right to vote of people with intellectual disabilities and European elections 2024","elections,legal capacity,voting",{"alt":380,"picture":381},"Person in a wheelchair in front of an obstacle, stairs which lead to a voting box.","https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2414.png","[{\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2416.png\", \"text\": \"Inclusion Europe published [a video](https://youtu.be/JHJvLWqhFx4) about voting rights for people with intellectual disabilities under guardianship in Europe.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2417.png\", \"text\": \"Guardianship allows some people to make life choices for others. \\n\\nThe person who makes choices for you is your guardian.\\n\\n\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2418.png\", \"text\": \"It should be a normal thing to be able to participate in the elections as a citizen.\\n\\nThe UNCRPD confirms the right to vote and be elected for people with disabilities.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea241a.png\", \"text\": \"There are still restrictions in several EU countries, especially for persons with intellectual disabilities.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea241b.png\", \"text\": \"14 EU countries grant full voting rights for people with intellectual disabilities under guardianship.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea241c.jpeg\", \"text\": \"9 EU countries grant limited voting rights for people with intellectual disabilities under guardianship.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea241d.png\", \"text\": \"4 EU countries grant no voting rights for people with intellectual disabilities under guardianship.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea241e.png\", \"text\": \"People with disabilities who are under guardianship might not be allowed to vote because of certain laws.\\n\\nSome people have to make a hard decision between keeping their rights and getting a disability allowance. This choice isn't fair.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea241f.png\", \"text\": \"A big problem that stops people with disabilities from voting is that many things aren not easy for them to use.\\n\\nThe places where you vote, the papers you vote on, the machines you use to vote, and the information you get.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2420.png\", \"text\": \"All of these can be hard for people with disabilities.\\n\\nEven online the politicians post about their campaigns don't always think about people with disabilities.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2421.png\", \"text\": \"The big problem is that not many people with disabilities are involved in politics.\\n\\nThis means that the people who should be speaking up for them and fighting for their rights don't get chosen to do that job.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2422.png\", \"text\": \"The European Parliament ruled in 20203 that people with disabilities, regardless of legal capacity restrictions, should be allowed the right to vote.\"}, {\"pic\": \"https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2423.png\", \"text\": \"EU countries need to follow this guidance, and respect the rights of people with disabilities. \\n\\nIt would be a significant step towards inclusive and accessible European democracy.\"}]","Inclusion%20Europe%20published%20%5Ba%20video%5D%28https%3A//youtu.be/JHJvLWqhFx4%29%20about%20voting%20rights%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20under%20guardianship%20in%20Europe.%0A%0AThe%20%5BUN%20Convention%5D%28https%3A//www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-persons-disabilities%29%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20reaffirms%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20and%20to%20be%20elected%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20However%2C%20there%20are%20still%20restrictions%20in%20the%20European%20Union%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%20%0A%0AWhether%20a%20person%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20can%20or%20cannot%20vote%20is%20in%20many%20countries%20restricted%20based%20on%20their%20legal%20capacity%20and%20placement%20under%20guardianship.%20This%20is%20a%20violation%20of%20their%20rights.%20%20%20%0A%0AIn%202019%2C%20there%20were%20around%20800.000%20people%20from%2016%20Member%20countries%20that%20did%20not%20have%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20nor%20to%20stand%20for%20election%20based%20on%20their%20disability.%0A%0ABased%20on%20the%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20reaserch%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20in%202023%2C%20among%20the%2027%20EU%20countries%3A%20%20%0A%0A-%2015%20countries%20grant%20full%20voting%20rights%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20under%20guardianship%3AIreland%2C%20Germany%2C%20Sweden%2C%20the%20Netherlands%2C%20Italy%2C%20Finland%2C%20France%2C%20Austria%2C%20Latvia%2C%20Spain%2C%20Slovakia%2C%20Slovenia%2C%20Croatia%2C%20Luxembourg%2C%20Greece.%0A%0A-%208%20countries%20grant%20limited%20voting%20rights%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20under%20guardianship%3A%20Belgium%2C%20Hungary%2C%20Malta%2C%20Portugal%2C%20Lithuania%2C%20Czechia%2C%20Romania%2C%20Denmark.%0A%0A-%204%20countries%20grant%20no%20voting%20rights%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20under%20guardianship%3A%20Estonia%2C%20Bulgaria%2C%20Cyprus%2C%20Poland.%0A%0AThe%20European%20Parliament%20voted%20%5Ba%20resolution%5D%28https%3A//www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI%282023%29747889%29%20in%202023%20saying%20that%20people%20with%20disabilities%2C%20regardless%20of%20their%20legal%20capacity%20restrictions%2C%20should%20be%20allowed%20the%20right%20to%20vote.%20The%20EU%20strategy%20also%20mentions%20the%20need%20to%20improve%20the%20accessibility%20of%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20and%20to%20be%20elected.%0A%0A%u201CThere%20are%20more%20than%207%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20in%20the%20European%20Union.%20Our%20votes%20matter.%20Election%20campaigns%20must%20also%20target%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20To%20reach%20us%20the%20political%20groups%20must%20talk%20and%20listen%20to%20us.%20Both%20elections%20and%20campaigns%20must%20be%20fully%20accessible.%u201D%20%u2014%20Jyrki%20Pinomaa%2C%20President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20%0A%0A**The%20voting%20and%20accessability%20issue%3A**%0A%0A%5BVoting%20rights%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/voting-rights%29%0A%0A**Easy%20to%20read%20materials%3A**%0A%0A%5BPeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20access%20to%20elections%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-access-to-elections%3Fe2r%3D1%29%0A%0A%5BEasy-to-read%20materials%20about%20Euroepan%20elections.%5D%28https%3A//elections.europa.eu/en/easy-to-read/%29%0A%0A%5BEasy%20to%20read%20magazine%20about%20the%20voting%20issue%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/en_232.pdf%29","There are still voting restrictions in several EU countries, especially for persons with intellectual disabilities.","/european-elections-2024","2024-01-29T14:33:08.000Z","2024-04-25T11:32:31.000Z",{"idx":389,"title":390,"author":206,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":391,"picture":392,"content_e2r":10,"content":395,"excerpt":396,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":397,"created_at":398,"modified_at":399,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},54,"Number of the month: 70","Europe in Action, Europe in Action 2024, Enable Scotland",{"alt":393,"picture":394},"70 years 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800speaking%20on%20Rights%20now%20campaign%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2429.jpeg%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%u201CIt%27s%20everyone%u2019s%20human%20right%20to%20live%20in%20a%20home%20of%20their%20choice%2C%20in%20a%20community%20they%20choose%2C%20close%20to%20the%20people%20they%20love.%u201D%20%0A%5BHeather%20Gilchrist%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/its-everyones-human-right-to-live-in-a-home-of-their-choice-in-a-community-they-choose-close-to-the-people-they-love-heather-gilchrist-about-my-own-front-door-campaign/%29%20%0A%0A%23%23%20Europe%20in%20Action%20%0A%0AAs%20you%20can%20see%2C%20there%20is%20plenty%20to%20explore%20in%20Enable%u2019s%20work%20as%20they%20celebrate%20their%2070th%20anniversary.%20Which%20makes%20us%20so%20exited%20to%20have%20our%20next%20%5BEurope%20in%20Action%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2024%29%20conference%20in%20Glasgow%20this%20May%21%20%0A%0AThose%20attending%20can%20go%20deeper%20into%20how%20Enable%u2019s%20programmes%20work.%20Learn%20about%20campaigns%20and%20advocacy.%20And%20of%20course%2C%20share%20your%20own%20experiences%20and%20views%20on%20the%20work%20being%20done%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0A%5BRegister%20here%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2024%29%20and%20be%20part%20of%20this%20memorable%20event.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%22Having%20control%20over%20our%20own%20life%20is%20very%20important.%20We%20must%20have%20a%20say%20about%20support%20provided%20to%20us.%22%20%0AAndrew%20Doyle%2C%20EPSA%20chair%20from%202006%20%0A%0AComing%20up%20next%3A%20Countries%20and%20members%20developing%20self-advocacy%2C%20another%20strong%20part%20of%20the%20conference%20programme.%0A%0A%0A*Pictures%3A%20From%20Enable%20Twitter%20and%20website.*","This year, we are joining Enable Scotland in celebrating 70 years of their work for an equal society where everyone has the right to live, work and participate as active and respected citizens in the communities of their choice.","/number-of-the-month%3A-70","2024-02-09T15:04:30.000Z","2024-02-09T21:15:17.000Z",{"idx":401,"title":402,"author":258,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":403,"picture":404,"content_e2r":10,"content":407,"excerpt":408,"default_type":29,"url":409,"created_at":410,"modified_at":411,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},55,"Disability awareness, parents movement and importance of self-advocacy - 35 years of Inclusion Europe with Maureen Piggot","parents,self-advocacy,intellectual disabilities,Inclusion Europe,Milan Å veÅepa,deinstitutionalisation, disability rights ,podcast",{"alt":405,"picture":406},"Conference room. People sitting down and talking.","https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea242d.png","Listen%20to%20the%20podcast%20episode%20%5Bhere.%5D%28https%3A//spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/OyDdVPB87Gb%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B00%3A00%3A42%5D%20Maureen%u2019s%20youth%20and%20her%20beginnings%20in%20working%20with%20people%20with%20disabilities%0A%0AMaureen%20was%20born%20in%20South%20Africa%20from%20Irish%20parents.%20At%20seventeen%2C%20she%20moved%20to%20Southern%20California%20to%20spend%20a%20student%20exchange%20year%20there.%20In%20the%20family%20where%20she%20was%20placed%2C%20there%20was%20a%20young%20boy%20with%20a%20severe%20disability%20who%20she%20entertained%20as%20much%20as%20she%20could.%20When%20Maureen%20went%20back%20to%20South%20Africa%20she%20graduated%20in%20psychology%20and%20then%20left%20again%20to%20move%20back%20in%20Souther%20California.%20Once%20she%20got%20there%2C%20she%20found%20out%20that%20Drew%2C%20the%20boy%20with%20the%20disabilities%2C%20lived%20in%20a%20foster%20family%20from%20Mondays%20to%20Fridays%20and%20came%20home%20only%20on%20the%20weekends.%20%20%0A%0A%20%0A%23%23%23%20%5B00%3A07%3A51%5D%20Maureen%u2019s%20work%20with%20Mencap%20%0A%0AIn%201988%20Maureen%20worked%20in%20Northern%20Ireland%20in%20a%20social%20education%20center%20as%20a%20manager.%20While%20she%20was%20working%20there%2C%20she%20saw%20the%20job%20advert%20but%20didn%u2019t%20apply%20because%20of%20her%20commitment%20to%20the%20center%20she%20was%20working%20in.%20In%20the%20end%2C%20on%20the%20very%20last%20day%20of%20the%20application%20process%2C%20she%20sent%20her%20own%20application%20and%20finally%20got%20the%20job.%20%0A%0ADuring%20her%20experience%20in%20Mencap%2C%20Maureen%20had%20the%20chance%20of%20meeting%20a%20lot%20of%20parents%20of%20children%20with%20disabilities%2C%20some%20of%20whom%20were%20reluctant%20to%20leave%20their%20children%20in%20a%20center%20like%20that%20because%20they%20didn%u2019t%20trust%20anybody%20to%20look%20after%20their%20children.%20%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B00%3A13%3A13%5D%20Disability%20awareness%20in%201988%20and%20today%20%0A%0AMaureen%20talks%20about%20an%20episode%20she%20remembers%20when%20she%20was%20working%20with%20Mencap%20and%20she%20met%20the%20parents%20of%20a%20newborn%20baby%20girl%20with%20Down%20syndrome%20who%20didn%u2019t%20want%20to%20bring%20her%20down%20because%20of%20that.%20When%20the%20physiotherapist%20came%20and%20made%20sure%20the%20baby%20had%20a%20very%20core%20strength%20the%20parents%20were%20very%20happy%2C%20as%20that%20was%20the%20first%20positive%20thing%2
800they%20had%20been%20told%20since%20the%20baby%20was%20born.%20That%20was%20the%20point%20where%20the%20parents%20understood%20that%20there%20was%20help%20available.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B00%3A16%3A23%5D%20The%20parents%20movement%20and%20the%20Disability%20Discrimination%20Act%20%0A%0AThe%20parents%20movement%20was%20born%20out%20of%20the%20outrage%20of%20their%20children%20not%20being%20recognized%20and%20denied%20access%20to%20things%20other%20children%20took%20for%20granted.%20This%20movement%20was%20very%20important%20to%20fill%20gaps%20in%20the%20awareness%20of%20disability.%20%20%0A%0AIn%20the%20UK%20there%20is%20the%20Disability%20Discrimination%20Act%2C%20which%20isn%u2019t%20as%20good%20as%20they%20wanted%20it%20to%20be%2C%20but%20it%20was%20inevitably%20a%20great%20goal%20to%20reach.%20It%20involved%20many%20people%20on%20the%20red%20postcard%20campaign%2C%20which%20gained%20a%20big%20success%20also%20thanks%20to%20the%20mobilization%20of%20the%20whole%20disability%20movement.%20The%20campaign%20was%20made%20of%20preprinted%20postcards%20that%20a%20person%20could%20address%20a%20member%20of%20the%20parliament%20with%20their%20own%20message%20on%20it.%20It%20was%20a%20real%20success%2C%20and%20in%20a%20short%20time%20all%20the%20post%20boxes%20were%20filled%20with%20those%20postcards%2C%20but%20the%20government%20banned%20the%20campaign%20considering%20it%20political%20and%20put%20some%20laws%20on%20the%20NGOs%2C%20while%20some%20politicians%20gave%20their%20support%20to%20that.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B00%3A19%3A40%5D%20The%20importance%20of%20self-advocacy%20%0A%0AGiving%20people%20with%20disabilities%20the%20possibility%20to%20speak%20for%20themselves%20is%20a%20great%20opportunity%20for%20them%20to%20earn%20their%20proper%20recognition%20in%20the%20world.%20They%20get%20seen%2C%20heard%20and%20they%20have%20their%20place%20in%20the%20community%2C%20as%20happened%20to%20some%20people%20who%20became%20movie%20stars%20and%20won%20an%20Oscar%20and%20to%20some%20other%20people%20who%20were%20put%20in%20the%20place%20of%20the%20trustee%20of%20an%20organization.%20%20%0A%0AIn%20her%20interview%2C%20Maureen%20spoke%20about%20the%20occasion%20given%20to%20these%20self-advocates%20to%20candidate%20themselves%20at%20the%20conference%20of%20Mencap%2C%20underlining%20again%20the%20need%20for%20venues%20accessible%20to%20people%20with%20physical%20disabilities.%20She%20also%20mentioned%20the%20importance%20of%20the%20support%20persons%20for%20the%20self-advocates%2C%20who%20help%20them%20with%20various%20issues%2C%20such%20as%20the%20translation%20of%20a%20language%2C%20for%20example.%20%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B00%3A36%3A41%5D%20The%20importance%20of%20self-advocacy%20and%20deinstitutionalization%20%0A%0AEDF%20supports%20a%20lot%20people%20with%20disabilities%20to%20be%20more%20integrated%20in%20society%2C%20giving%20them%20adequate%20support%20to%20make%20them%20comfortable%20in%20the%20everyday%20life.%20But%20the%20EDF%20is%20a%20valuable%20resource%20also%20for%20the%20creation%20of%20organizations%2C%20because%20in%20many%20countries%20the%20legal%20capacity%20laws%20or%20the%20fund%20cuts%20prevent%20them%20from%20doing%20it.%20So%20many%20organizations%20can%u2019t%20fund%20themselves%20in%20other%20ways%20and%20end%20up%20losing%20their%20self-advocacy.%20That%27s%20why%20self-advocacy%20needs%20to%20be%20always%20nourished%20and%20protected%2C%20same%20as%20the%20deinstitutionalization%3A%20people%20with%20disabilities%20are%20happier%20when%20they%u2019re%20out%20of%20the%20institutions.%20Talking%20about%20money%2C%20on%20the%20other%20hand%2C%20funding%20an%20institution%20costs%20a%20lot.%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B00%3A55%3A03%5D%20Maureen%u2019s%20experience%20in%20Inclusion%20International%20%0A%0AAs%20Inclusion%20Europe%20is%20a%20part%20of%20Inclusion%20International%2C%20collaboration%20is%20vital.%20Communicating%20and%20learning%20from%20each%20other%20is%20the%20best%20way%20to%20share%20ideas%20and%20hear%20and%20see%20what%20other%20people%20are%20doing.%20It%27s%20only%20by%20working%20across%20the%20boundaries%20and%20seeing%2C%20hearing%20and%20learning%20from%20the%20people%20who%20lived%20such%20experiences%20that%20can%20truly%20make%20a%20difference.%20","Conversation with former President of Inclusion Europe, Maureen Piggot.","/disability-awareness-parents-movement-and-importance-of-self-advocacy---35-years-of-inclusion-europe-with-maureen-piggot","2024-02-12T14:30:13.000Z","2025-12-18T12:18:23.000Z",{"idx":413,"title":414,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":416,"picture":417,"content_e2r":418,"content":419,"excerpt":420,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":421,"created_at":422,"modified_at":422,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},56,"Accessible communication and inclusion in the community - Training in Italy","event","Italy, Training, Anffas, accessibility",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"null","The%20training%20was%20co-organised%20by%20Anffas%20and%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20%0A%0AThe%20president%20of%20Anffas%2C%20Roberto%20Speziale%2C%20and%20Maria%20Cristina%20Schiratti%2C%20who%20is%20also%20Secretary%20General%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20welcomed%20participants%20attending%20in%20Rome%20and%20online.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Accessible%20communication%20and%20participation%20%20%0A%0ASoufiane%20el%20Amrani%2C%20who%20is%20the%20accessibility%20expert%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe%20and%20a%20self-advocate%20gave%20a%20presentation%20on%20easy-to-read.%20%20%0A%0ASoufiane%20explained%20why%20easy-to-read%20is%20so%20important%20for%20full%20participation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0ADaniela%20Cannistraci%20and%20Silvia%20Sanfilippo%20from%20Anffas%20national%20organisation%20introduced%20examples%20of%20their%20on%20accessible%20communication%3A%20%20%0A-%20magazine%20%5B%u201CLa%20Rosa%20Blu%u201D%2C%5D%28http%3A//www.anffas.net/it/informati/pubblicazioni-anffas/rivista-la-rosa-blu/%29%0A-%20the%20project%20%5BA%20modo%20mio%5D%28http%3A//www.anffas.net/it/news/4194/a-modo-mio-nuovo-progetto-del-movimento-consumatori-per-le-persone-con-disabilita-intellettiva/%29%20to%20assure%20consumer%20protection%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disability%20and%20more%20information%20on%20products%0A-%20and%20many%20more.%0A%0A%0A%21%5Balt-text%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2433.png%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Participation%20at%20European%20level%0A%0AThe%20second%20day%20started%20with%20presentation%20of%20accessibility%20and%20participation%20at%20European%20level.%20Helen%20Portal%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%20advocacy%20officer%2C%20explained%20participation%20European%20institutions%2C%20and%20United%20Nations%20CRPD%20Committee.%0A-%20For%20example%20with%20contributions%20for%20the%20European%20Disability%20Strategy.%20%20%0A-%20And%20the%20importance%20of%20making%20sure%20self-advocates%20are%20represented%20at%20conferences%20at%20European%20level.%20Self-advocates%20are%20part%20of%20the%20European%20Disability%20Forum%u2019s%20committees%20to%20represent%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20They%20have%20a%20youth%20committee%20and%20a%20women%20committee%20to%20work%20specifically%20on%20those%20topics.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Making%2
800decisions%0A%0ASelf-advocacy%20group%20from%20Anffas%20La%20Torre%20spoke%20about%20the%20capacity%20project%2C%20which%20is%20about%20making%20choices%20%u201CI%20can%20choose%2C%20I%20can%20decide%u201D.%20%0A%0AThey%20developed%20a%20tool%20to%20help%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20to%20make%20decisions.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%u201CI%20never%20thought%20I%20could%20do%20this%2C%20but%20I%20managed.%20Then%20I%20attended%20a%20project%20to%20employ%20young%20people.%0A%23%23%23%23%20%22Soon%2C%20I%20will%20do%20exams%20to%20have%20the%20title%20of%20educator.%20It%20would%20be%20like%20a%20social%20worker.%20%20%0A%23%23%23%23%20%22I%20also%20have%20more%20financial%20stability.%20%0A%23%23%23%23%20%22I%20am%20happy%2C%20I%20like%20being%20with%20other%20people%2C%20and%20I%20am%20free%20to%20make%20my%20own%20choices.%u201C%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Inclusion%20in%20the%20community%0AThe%20training%20continued%20with%20presentations%20on%20different%20ways%20of%20ensuring%20the%20right%20to%20live%20independently%20and%20to%20be%20included.%0A%0A*The%20training%20was%20co-financed%20by%20the%20European%20Union.*","Accessible communication and inclusion in the community training for self-advocates and family members took place in Rome, Italy from 9 to 10 November 2023.","/accessible-communication-inclusion-community-training-italy","2024-02-15T16:34:35.000Z",{"idx":424,"title":425,"author":258,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":426,"picture":427,"content_e2r":10,"content":430,"excerpt":431,"default_type":29,"url":432,"created_at":433,"modified_at":434,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},57,"From personal experience to advocacy - 35 years of Inclusion Europe with Jyrki Pinomaa","podcast,jyrki pinomaa,Milan Å veÅepa,Inclusion Europe, disability rights ",{"alt":428,"picture":429},"Person siting at the desk, working on the computer while smiling.","https://str.inclusion.eu/375c5d6cb23c4bda924ea2434.jpg","Listen%20to%20the%20podcast%20episode%20%5Bhere%5D%28https%3A//podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inclusion-europe/episodes/From-personal-experience-to-advocacy---35-years-of-Inclusion-Europe-with-Jyrki-Pinomaa-e2fvkmi%29.%0A%0AWith%20over%2040%20years%20of%20advocacy%20work%2C%20Jyrki%20Pinomaa%20has%20dedicated%20his%20life%20to%20fighting%20for%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20In%20this%20podcast%20episode%2C%20we%20delve%20into%20Jyrki%27s%20inspiring%20journey%2C%20his%20experiences%20as%20a%20parent%2C%20and%20the%20progress%20and%20challenges%20he%20has%20encountered%20along%20the%20way.%0A%0AJyrki%20Pinoma%27s%20decades%20of%20advocacy%20work%20have%20undoubtedly%20left%20an%20indelible%20mark%20on%20the%20disability%20rights%20movement.%20His%20message%20of%20hope%2C%20unity%2C%20and%20perseverance%20resonates%20with%20countless%20individuals%20and%20families%20across%20Europe.%20Through%20Inclusion%20Europe%20and%20his%20collaborations%20with%20national%20organizations%2C%20Jyrki%20continues%20to%20inspire%20change%2C%20making%20a%20lasting%20impact%20on%20the%20lives%20of%20those%20affected%20by%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B1%3A30%3A0%5D%20The%20beginning%2
800of%20the%20story.%20A%20journey%20of%20commitment%20and%20passion%0A%0AFrom%20his%20marriage%20to%20the%20birth%20of%20his%20children.%20One%20of%20them%20was%20born%20with%20an%20intellectual%20disability%20and%20his%20wife%20and%20him%20recognized%20from%20the%20very%20first%20moment%20that%20something%20was%20wrong.%20They%20didn%u2019t%20get%20a%20real%20diagnosis%20until%20his%20son%20was%20more%20than%2030%20years%20old.%20%0A%0AThis%20is%20the%20reason%20why%20Jyrki%20chose%20to%20become%20Inclusion%20Europe%u2019s%20president.%20But%20his%20journey%20actually%20starts%20when%20he%20decided%20to%20become%20an%20advocate%3A%20he%20wrote%20a%20six-page-long%20article%20and%20sent%20it%20to%20a%20magazine%20so%20they%20could%20publish%20it%20and%20realize%20that%20there%20was%20something%20to%20talk%20about.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B8%3A35%3A0%5D%20Jyrki%20joins%20Inclusion%20Finland%20%0A%0AWhen%20Jyrki%20joined%20Inclusion%20Finland%2C%20he%20became%20the%20chairman%20within%20a%20year.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B9%3A43%3A0%5D%20When%20Jyrki%20realises%20that%20getting%20services%20for%20children%20with%20disabilities%20can%20be%20hard%0A%0AWhen%20Jyrki%20and%20his%20wife%20had%20their%20fourth%20child%2C%20he%20also%20was%20born%20with%20a%20disability%2C%20the%20same%20type%20of%20the%20other%20one.%20At%20this%20point%20his%20wife%20was%20forced%20to%20be%20home%20with%20their%20children%20while%20Jyrki%20was%20the%20only%20one%20to%20go%20to%20work.%20But%20at%20the%20same%20time%2C%20they%20realize%20how%20difficult%20it%20was%20to%20get%20all%20the%20facilities%20that%20their%20disabled%20children%20needed.%20Also%20talking%20to%20the%20people%20seemed%20to%20be%20hard%2C%20since%20there%20was%20a%20very%20little%20information%20about%20disabilities.%20So%20at%20this%20point%20Jyrki%20felt%20the%20necessity%20to%20start%20advocating%20for%20his%20children%20and%20their%20rights.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B13%3A01%3A00%5D%20Start%20of%20advocacy%0A%0AWhen%20Jyrki%20and%20his%20wife%20went%20to%20tell%20their%20families%20what%20they%20wanted%20to%20do%2C%20he%20was%20also%20called%20by%20Inclusion%20Finland%20to%20go%20and%20tell%20his%20story%20of%20living%20with%20two%20children%20with%20disabilities.%20From%20this%20first%20experience%2C%20schools%20and%20universities%20started%20to%20call%20Jyrkii%20to%20go%20and%20tell%20in%20such%20places%20what%20he%20was%20going%20through.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B15%3A46%3A0%5D%20The%20efforts%20of%20Jyrki%20arrives%20to%20the%20politicians%20%0A%0AThe%20interest%20people%20showed%20in%20hearing%20Jyrki%20was%20given%20by%20their%20willingness%20to%20hear%20the%20story%20of%20the%20family%20who%20was%20experiencing%20all%20that.%20Since%20that%20moment%2C%20Jyrki%20saw%20that%20something%20was%20actually%20happening%2C%20some%20changes%20were%20happening%3A%20he%20had%20the%20chance%20to%20talk%20to%20some%20politicians%2C%20who%20changed%20after%20four%20years%20and%20that%20was%20the%20moment%20of%20redo%20it%20all%20over%20again.%20So%2C%20for%20Jyrki%20it%20became%20soon%20a%20never%20ending%20job%2C%20because%20he%20was%20meeting%20always%20new%20people%2C%20especially%20politicians.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B19%3A52%3A0%5D%20The%20work%20that%u2019s%20left%20to%20do%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities%20%0A%0AThanks%20to%20Jyrki%u2019s%20work%2C%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20not%20hidden%20anymore%2C%20but%20there%20is%20still%20so%20much%20work%20to%20do%20until%20people%20with%20disabilities%20get%20what%20they%20need%20to%20live%20a%20decent%20life%2C%20made%20of%20the%20right%20assistance%20and%20services.%20It%20should%20be%20automatic%20for%20families%20with%20people%20with%20disabilities%20to%20receive%20devices%20and%20assistance.%20It%20obviously%20isn%u2019t%20the%20same%20for%20every%20country%2C%20so%20it%u2019s%20right%20to%20compare%20the%20different%20situations%20between%20countries%2C%20trying%20to%20see%20something%20positive%20in%20every%20of%20them.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B27%3A34%3A0%5D%20The%20application%20of%20the%20UNCRPD%20%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20pivotal%20moments%20in%20Jyrki%27s%20advocacy%20journey%20was%20the%20ratification%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28UNCRPD%29.%0A%0ADespite%20the%20UNCRPD%20was%20ratified%20in%20many%20European%20countries%20and%20people%20know%20about%20it%2C%20they%20don%u2019t%20seem
80%20to%20know%20that%20it%20is%20a%20proper%20national%20law%2C%20so%20it%20should%20be%20obeyed.%20That%27s%20why%20there%u2019s%20still%20a%20lot%20to%20do%20to%20see%20these%20people%20as%20equal%20citizens%2C%20not%20as%20people%20you%20feel%20to%20say%20%u201Cpoor%20you%u201D%20or%20something%20like%20that.%20We%20don%u2019t%20want%20to%20see%20the%20difference%20but%20the%20equality%20among%20all.%20It%20is%20a%20battle%20also%20for%20the%20parents%2C%20because%20it%u2019s%20them%20who%20fight%20for%20the%20rights%20of%20their%20children.%20%0A%0AHowever%2C%20Jyrki%20acknowledges%20that%20the%20ratification%20of%20the%20convention%20is%20just%20the%20beginning%2C%20and%20there%20is%20still%20much%20work%20to%20be%20done%20to%20ensure%20its%20full%20implementation.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B49%3A31%3A0%5D%20Parents%20of%20children%20with%20disabilities%20%0A%0ASpeaking%20of%20parents%20of%20children%20with%20disabilities%2C%20they%20understand%20each%20other%20and%20help%20each%20other.%20But%20mostly%2C%20thanks%20to%20Jyrki%u2019s%20work%20and%20divulgation%2C%20they%20understood%20how%20to%20get%20services%20and%20the%20assistance%20they%20need.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5B54%3A07%3A0%5D%20The%20importance%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20and%20the%20other%20organizations%20%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20has%20a%20big%20resonance%20in%20speaking%20up%20for%20these%20topics%2C%20since%20it%20gathers%20many%20national%20organizations%20all%20together%20so%20their%20voices%20can%20resonate%20more.%20There%27s%20always%20need%20of%20organizations%20made%20of%20policymakers%20and%20decision%20makers%20who%20can%20speak%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20Their%20stories%20are%20quite%20the%20same%3A%20it%20all%20started%20with%20a%20few%20people%20who%20wanted%20to%20share%20their%20experiences%20with%20disabilities.%0A%0AChanging%20attitudes%20towards%20disabilities%20is%20a%20key%20component%20of%20Jyrki%27s%20advocacy%20work.%20He%20believes%20in%20moving%20away%20from%20the%20perception%20of%20individuals%20with%20disabilities%20as%20vulnerable%20and%20in%20need%20of%20pity.%20Instead%2C%20he%20emphasizes%20the%20importance%20of%20recognizing%20their%20abilities%20and%20providing%20them%20with%20the%20same%20opportunities%20and%20rights%20as%20any%20other%20citizen.%20Jyrki%20seeks%20to%20create%20a%20society%20where%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20seen%20as%20equal%20individuals%2C%20deserving%20of%20respect%2C%20inclusion%2C%20and%20support.","Conversation with the President of Inclusion Europe, Jyrki Pinomaa.\n\n","/from-personal-experience-to-advocacy---35-years-of-inclusion-europe-with-jyrki-pinomaa","2024-02-19T10:39:01.000Z","2025-12-18T12:16:38.000Z",{"idx":436,"title":437,"author":258,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":438,"picture":439,"content_e2r":10,"content":440,"excerpt":441,"default_type":29,"url":442,"created_at":443,"modified_at":444,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},58,"A journey in inclusion and parent advocacy - 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80apply%20%0A%0ASend%20your%20CV%20and%20motivation%20letter%20to%[email protected]%20%20%0A%0ASubject%20line%20%u201CPolicy%20Trainee%20Summer%202025%u201D%20%0A%0ADeadline%3A%20%2025%20January%202026%20%0A%0A%0AInvitations%20for%20interviews%20will%20be%20sent%20out%20before%20February.%20%0A%0AInterviews%20will%20be%20held%20end%20of%20January%2C%20beginning%20of%20February.%20%0A%0A%0AWe%20welcome%20candidates%20with%20disabilities.%20Please%20let%20us%20know%20if%20you%20require%20any%20reasonable%20accommodation.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Trainees%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0A%0AThis%20call%20is%20open%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20too.%0A%0AIf%20you%20are%20interested%20in%20the%20traineeships%2C%20please%20get%20in%20touch%20at%20the%20email%20above.%0A%0APlease%20keep%20in%20mind%3A%20Speaking%20English%20is%20important%20for%20this%20role.","Jobs and traineeship opportunities at Inclusion Europe.","/careers","2024-04-08T09:06:33.000Z","2025-12-22T17:02:46.000Z",{"idx":501,"title":502,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":10,"picture":503,"content_e2r":10,"content":505,"excerpt":506,"default_type":29,"url":507,"created_at":508,"modified_at":509,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},64,"Closing the disability data gap - Online workshop event - 30 April 2024",{"alt":210,"picture":504},"https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e913.jpg","There%20is%20a%20big%20disability%20data%20gap%20in%20Europe%2C%20specifically%20when%20looking%20at%20desegregated%20data%20on%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20To%20decrease%20this%20gap%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%20launched%20the%20first%20Inclusion%20indicators%20report%20last%20year%3A%20an%20ambitious%20data%20project%20to%20collect%20data%20on%20the%20situation%20on%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20different%20countries.%20%20%0A%0AWhat%20is%20the%20methodology%20behind%20the%20Inclusion%20indicators%3F%20What%20were%20the%20challenges%20when%20developing%20this%20data%20project%3F%20How%20can%20other%20organisations%20replicate%20this%20data%20project%20targeted%20towards%20their%20own%20constituency%3F%20%0A%0AIn%20this%20workshop%2C%20we%20will%20take%20a%20closer%20look%20at%20the%20%u2018behind%20the%20scenes%u2019%20of%20the%20indicators%20project%20and%20discuss%20together%20what%20can%20and%20should%20be%20done%20to%20close%20the%20disability%20data%20gap.%0A%0A**Date%3A**%0A%0A30%20April%20%0A%0A**Time%3A**%0A%0A15%3A00-16%3A30%20%0A%0A%5BLink%20to%20join%20the%20call.%5D%28https%3A//teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%253ameeting_MWVmZTg3OTktMzQxYi00NDVlLWIyYTAtYTc3NWFlMGQyYzE5%2540thread.v2/0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522b77a0981-57ed-467d-80a0-e0656a6cfb5c%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%2522b21a8dd8-c958-4f19-8453-386f63190dca%2522%257d%20%20%0A%29%0A%0A%5BRegister.%5D%28https%3A//www.eventbrite.com/e/closing-the-disability-data-gap-tickets-879307842427%3Faff%3Doddtdtcreator%29","Looking into the inclusion indicators methodology, strengths, weaknesses and what's next.","/closing-the-disability-data-gap---online-workshop-event---30-april-2024","2024-04-08T09:43:28.000Z","2024-12-11T15:07:58.000Z",{"idx":511,"title":512,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":513,"picture":514,"content_e2r":10,"content":517,"excerpt":518,"default_type":29,"url":519,"created_at":520,"modified_at":521,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},65,"1st anniversary of Council of Europe's condemnation of France for disability rights violations","France, Unapei, Council of Europe, disability rights ",{"alt":515,"picture":516},"Douce France, patrie des droits de l'homme... Mais pas des droits des personnes en situation de handicap (Sweet France, the home of human rights... but not the rights of people with disabilities)","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e914.jpeg","Even%20though%20%5BCouncil%20of%20Europe%20condemned%20these%20issues%20last%20year%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/the-council-of-europe-denounces-the-vi
80olation-of-the-rights-of-people-with-disabilities-by-the-french-state/%29%20not%20much%20has%20changed%3A%0A-%20Support%2C%20accessibility%2C%20health%2C%20education%2C%20resources%3A%20all%20unchanged.%0A-%20In%20just%20one%20area%20of%20France%2C%20over%205%2C000%20people%20are%20waiting%20for%20medical%20help.%0A-%20Last%20year%2C%20almost%20a%20quarter%20of%20children%20with%20disabilities%20supported%20by%20Unapei%20couldn%27t%20go%20to%20school.%0A%20%0APeople%20and%20families%20are%20feeling%20the%20pressure%20because%20there%20aren%27t%20enough%20good%20solutions%20for%20their%20problems.%20Buildings%20and%20transportation%20are%20still%20hard%20to%20use%20for%20many%20disabled%20people.%0A%20%0AHealthcare%20is%20tough%20to%20access%2C%20especially%20for%20disabled%20people%20and%20women%3A%0A-%20Unordered%20listSometimes%20doctors%20won%27t%20help%2C%20or%20you%20have%20to%20wait%20a%20long%20time%20to%20see%20them.%0A-%20Families%20have%20to%20do%20a%20lot%20to%20care%20for%20their%20disabled%20loved%20ones.%0A%20%0ABefore%20the%20European%20elections%2C%20there%27s%20going%20to%20be%20a%20discussion%20about%20these%20issues.%20You%20can%20learn%20more%20and%20sign%20up%20%5Bin%20this%20form.%5D%28https%3A//docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFH8fO2RbGC8BaLhzIHbev088VGNbxm2Ddu9jKRNy6FqJIJw/viewform%29","People with disabilities still struggle with things like getting help, going places because of bad infrastructure, and unfair treatment.\nFrench NGOs, including Unapei, is asking for quick changes to fix these problems.","/1st-anniversary-of-council-of-europe's-condemnation-of-france-for-disability-rights-violations","2024-04-16T15:34:17.000Z","2024-04-17T11:21:57.000Z",{"idx":523,"title":524,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":525,"picture":526,"content_e2r":418,"content":527,"excerpt":528,"default_type":29,"url":529,"created_at":530,"modified_at":530,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},66,"Slovenia removes legal capacity restrictions on the right to vote and be elected","Slovenia, Zveza Sozitje,right to vote",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"The%20law%20also%20introduces%20the%20right%20to%20an%20assistant%20who%20can%20help%20these%20voters%20at%20the%20voting%20station.%0A%0A**With%20this%20change%2C%20all%20adult%20citizens%20in%20Slovenia%20have%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20and%20be%20elected.**%0A%20%0AAfter%20several%20years%20of%20efforts%20by%20%5BZveza%20So%u017Eitje%5D%28https%3A//www.zveza-sozitje.si/%29%20and%20other%20Slovenian%20disability%20organizations%20the%20Slovenian%20parliament%20voted%20to%20enable%20active%20and%20passive%20voting%20rights%20for%20all%20citizens.%0A%20%0AThe%20members%20of%20the%20Slovenian%20Parliament%20confirmed%20Act%20Amending%20the%20National%20Assembly%20Election%20Act%2C%20with%20all%20the%20votes%20of%20all%20the%20parliament%20members%20present.%20%0A%0AThey%20adopted%20a%20legal%20amendment%20that%20will%20no%20longer%20deprive%20anyone%20of%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20as%20a%20fundamental%20human%20right.%0A%20%0AThis%20is%20a%20small%20but%20important%20step%20in%20the%20realization%20of%20human%20rights%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Slovenia.","In January 2024, the Slovenian Parliament confirmed an amendment to the National Assembly Election Act, which restores the right to vote to all adult citizens, who were deprived of the right to vote because they were placed under guardianship due to intellectual and psychosocial disabilities or parental rights were extended to their parents. ","/slovenia-removes-legal-capacity-restrictions-on-the-right-to-vote-and-be-elected","2024-04-16T15:40:21.000Z",{"idx":532,"title":533,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":534,"picture":535,"content_e2r":10,"content":538,"excerpt":539,"default_type":29,"url":540,"created_at":541,"modified_at":542,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},67,"Use your vote: European elections 2024","right to vote,European Union,european elections",{"alt":536,"picture":537},"Illustration of European Union stars and people with disabilities.","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e916.png","*The%20document%20is%20available%2
800in%20several%20languages%2C%20below.*%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Why%20do%20European%20elections%20matter%0A%5BThe%20manifesto%20%28.pdf%29%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e915.pdf%29%20talks%20about%20why%20it%27s%20important%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20to%20vote%20in%20the%202024%20European%20Parliament%20elections.%20It%20highlights%20that%20the%20people%20who%20get%20elected%20can%20make%20rules%20that%20affect%20everyone%20in%20the%20European%20Union%2C%20especialy%20including%20those%20with%20disabilities.%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20EU%20and%20people%20with%20disabilities%0AThe%20document%20explains%20things%20the%20EU%20is%20doing%20to%20help%20people%20with%20disabilities%2C%20like%20the%20European%20Disability%20card%20and%20European%20Disability%20Strategy.%20But%20it%20also%20talks%20about%20the%20problems%20that%20still%20exist%2C%20like%20ongoing%20segregation%20and%20discrimination%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabiilties.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Right%20to%20vote%0AThe%20manifesto%20talks%20about%20the%20problems%20that%20people%20with%20disabilities%20still%20face%2C%20like%20not%20having%20enough%20support%20to%20live%20on%20their%20own%20or%20find%20jobs.%20%0A%0AThe%20document%20mentions%20that%20in%20%5B4%20countries%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-elections-2024%29%2C%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20under%20guardianship%20cannot%20vote%20at%20all.%20%0A%0AThe%20manifesto%20is%20raising%20concerns%20about%20the%20need%20for%20reform%20in%20%5Bguardianship%20laws%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/voting-rights%29%20to%20ensure%20the%20full%20inclusion%20and%20participation%20in%20the%20electoral%20process.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20When%20and%20how%20to%20vote%0AThe%20document%20says%20that%20voting%20is%20really%20important%20because%20it%20helps%20choose%20the%20people%20who%20make%20decisions.%20%0A%0AIt%20encourages%20people%20to%20think%20about%20what%20candidates%20say%20about%20disability%20issues%20and%20if%20they%20make%20it%20easy%20for%20everyone%20to%20understand.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Use%20your%20vote%20manifesto%0A%0A%5BUse%20your%20vote%3A%20European%20elections%20manifesto.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e915.pdf%29%20%0A%0A%5B%u010Cesky.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e917.pdf%29%0A%0A%5BSloven%u0161%u010Dina.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e918.pdf%29%0A%0A%5BFran%E7ais.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e919.pdf%29%0A%0A%5BPortugu%EAs%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e91a.pdf%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Accessible%20elections%20resources%0A%0A%5BHow%20to%20make%20elections%20accessible%3A%20Tools%2C%20recommendations%2C%20practices.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/voting-rights%29%0A%0A%5BEasy%20to%20read%20magazine%2C%20issue%202/2023%20about%20voting%2C%20in%209%20languages.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/europe-for-us/%29%0A%0A%5BInclusion%20indicators%20report%202023%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29","For full rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and families.","/european-elections-manifesto-2024","2024-04-29T10:50:41.000Z","2024-06-04T13:48:19.000Z",{"idx":544,"title":545,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":546,"picture":547,"content_e2r":10,"content":550,"excerpt":551,"default_type":29,"url":552,"created_at":553,"modified_at":554,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},68,"20 years in EU","European Union, Czechia, Malta, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia,Hungary, Cyprus,Latvia, Lithuania, Poland",{"alt":548,"picture":549},"Flag of the European Union","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e91c.jpg","On%201%20May%202004%2C%2010%20countries%20joined%20the%20EU.%20It%20was%20the%20biggest%20number%20of%20countries%20to%20join%20the%20EU%20at%20the%20same%20time.%0A%0AThe%20countries%20that%20joined%20the%20EU%20in%202004%20are%3A%0A1.%20Cyprus%0A2.%20Czechia%0A3.%20Estonia%0A4.%20Hungary%0A5.%20Latvia%0A6.%20Lithuania%0A7.%20Malta%0A8.%20Poland%0A9.%20Slovakia%0A10.%20Slovenia%0A%0A%5BThis%20report%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e91b.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%20looks%20at%20what%20happened%20in%20these%2020%20years%20from%20the%20perspective%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0AThe%20report%20is%20about%3A%0A-%20What%20is%20the%20EU%0A-%20What%20is%20EU%20enlargement%0A-%20Why%20does%20this%20matter%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%0A-%2010%20countries%20overview%0A-%20View%20from%20Lithuania%2C%20by%20Dana%20Migaliova%0A%0A**Read%20the%20report%3A%20%5B20%20years%20in%20EU%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e91b.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29**%0A","10 countries joined the EU 20 years ago. What has changed for people with intellectual disabilities and their families in that time?","/20-years-in-eu","2024-04-30T20:58:35.000Z","2024-04-30T20:59:17.000Z",{"idx":556,"title":557,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":10,"picture":558,"content_e2r":10,"content":561,"excerpt":562,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":563,"created_at":564,"modified_at":565,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},69,"Robert Martin, first person with intellectual disabilities on CRPD Committee, died",{"alt":559,"picture":560},"Robert Martin 1957 - 2024","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e91d.jpg","Robert%20Martin%20spent%20more%20than%2040%20years%20advocating%20for%20disability%20rights%20in%20New%20Zealand%20and%20internationally.%0A%0A%22He%20was%20an%20amazing%20leader%20and%20representative%20for%20people%20with%20learning%20disability%20and%20has%20been%20recognised%20around%20the%20world%20for%20his%20work%20towards%20disability%20rights%20in%20particular%20deinstitutionalisation%2C%20living%20in%20the%20community%20and%20supported%20decision%20making%2C%22%20People%20First%20New%20Zealand%20%5Bsaid.%5D%28https%3A//www.peoplefirst.org.nz/news-and-resources/news-and-events/passing-sir-robert%29%0A%0A%22I%20had%20the%20pleasure%20of%20meeting%20Robert%20Martin%20several%20times.%20He%20was%20a%20great%20inspiration%20and%20role%20model%20for%20many%20of%20us%2C%22%20said%20**L%E1szl%F3%20Bercse%2C**%20chair%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%2C%20and%20vice-president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%22He%20always%20encouraged%20persons%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20to%20speak%20up%20for%20ourselves.%20As%20a%20member%20of%20the%20CRPD%20Committee%2C%20he%20was%20very%20happy%20and%20empowering%20to%20consult%20self-advocates.%0AHe%20will%20be%20greatly%20missed%20in%20our%20movement%2C%20but%20his%20work%20and%20thoughts%20remain%20with%20us.%20I%20express%20my%20sincere%20condolences%20to%20his%20family.%22%0A%0A%22The%20global%20disability%20movement%20is%20driven%20by%20the%20brave%20people%20who%20step%20up%20and%20share%20their%20experiences%20and%20tell%20their%20story%2C%22%20said%20**Jyrki%20Pinomaa%2C**%20president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%22Robert%20Martin%20was%20such%20brave%20person.%20We%20are%20sad%20that%20he%20is%20gone.%20And%20we%20are%20very%20grateful%20for%20Robert%20Martin%27s%20work%2C%20which%20contributed%20to%20the%20work%20of%20every%20person%20and%20organisation%20defending%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%22%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Early%20life%0A%0ARobert%20Martin%20%5Bwas%20born%5D%28https%3A//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Martin_%28disability_rights_activist%29%29%20in%20Whanganui%2C%20New%20Zealand.%20As%20a%20baby%20he%20was%20sent%20to%20Kimberley%20Mental%20Deficiency%20Colony%20%28later%20renamed%20the%20Kimberley%20Centre%29.%0A%0AApart%20from%20brief%20periods%20living%20with%20his%20family%20and%20fostering%2C%20Martin%20spent%20his%20childhood%20in%20institutions.%20%0A%0AIn%20his%20biography%2C%20Martin%20describes%20inhumane%20conditions%20and%20abuse%20in%20these%20institutions%2C%20which%20he%20would%20later%20campaign%20to%20close.%0A%0AIn%201972%2C%20Robert%20Martin%20was%20released%20from%20care.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Self-advocacy%0A%0ARobert%20Martin%20started%20to%20be%20involved%20in%20self-advocacy%2C%20eventually%20contributing%20to%20establishing%20People%20First%20NZ%20as%20
80an%20independent%20organisation%20in%202003.%0A%0A%22He%20was%20highly%20respected%20by%20the%20members%20and%20staff%20of%20People%20First%20and%20led%20by%20example%20by%20encouraging%20members%0Ato%20speak%20up%20about%20their%20rights%2C%20demand%20action%20and%20take%20up%20leadership%20roles.%22%0A%0A%23%23%23%20International%20work%0A%0ARobert%20Martin%20made%20history%20when%20he%20became%20the%20**first%20person%20with%20an%20intellectual%20disability%20elected%20to%20serve%20on%20the%20UN%20CRPD%20Committee**%20in%202016.%0ASo%20far%2C%20he%20is%20also%20the%20only%20person%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20to%20have%20served%20on%20the%20Committee.%0A%0ARobert%20Martin%20was%20also%20involved%20in%20Inclusion%20International%u2019s%20leadership.%20He%20served%20as%20self-advocate%20at%20Inclusion%20International%u2019s%20governing%20Council%2C%20representing%20Asia-Pacific.%0A%0AIn%202020%2C%20Robert%20Martin%20was%20re-elected%20for%20another%204-year%20term%20on%20the%20CRPD%20Committee.%0AAt%20the%20time%20of%20his%20death%2C%20Robert%20was%20still%20active%20in%20his%20role%20on%20the%20Committee.%0A%0A%22He%20played%20an%20important%20role%20in%20contributing%20to%20the%20UN%20CRPD%2C%20advocating%20passionately%20at%20the%20United%20Nations%20to%20ensure%20the%20rights%20of%20persons%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20were%20respected%2C%22%20said%20Inclusion%20International.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%22Speak%20up%20about%20things%20important%20to%20you%22%0A%0AWhat%20Robert%20Martin%20said%20about%20independent%20living%20in%20his%20message%20for%20%5BEurope%20in%20Action%202019%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/europe-in-action-hundreds-meet-in-vilnius-to-discuss-independent-living-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities/%29%20conference%3A%0A%0A%22Independent%20living%20is%20about%20your%20friendships.%0AIt%27s%20about%20the%20things%20you%20want%20to%20do%20in%20life%2C%20what%20you%20want%20to%20achieve.%0A%0A%22It%27s%20also%20about%20making%20choices.%0AIt%27s%20about%20having%20your%20rights%2C%20and%20everybody%20has%20the%20same%20rights.%0A%0A**%22You%20need%20to%20speak%20out%20about%20the%20things%20that%20are%20important%20to%20you%21%22**%0A%0A%0AThe%20death%20of%20Robert%20Martin%20is%20great%20loss%20to%20self-advocacy%20movement%20and%20the%20disability%20rights%20community.%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20is%20greatful%20for%20Robert%20Martin%27s%20work%0AWe%20express%20our%20condolences%20to%20his%20family%2C%20friends%2C%20and%20colleagues.%0A%0A%21%5BRobert%20Martin%20and%20Maureen%20Piggot%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e91e.png%29%0A*Robert%20Martin%20and%20Maureen%20Piggot%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%20president%20at%20the%20time%2C%20during%20CRPD%20Committee%20session%20in%20Geneva%2C%20August%202017.*%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A**Maureen%20Piggot%2C**%20former%20president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%3A%0A%0A%22I%20feel
80%20great%20sadness%20at%20the%20loss%20of%20an%20exceptional%20advocate%2C%20leader%20and%20longtime%20colleague.%0ARobert%20broke%20through%20institutional%20barriers%20at%20home%20in%20New%20Zealand%2C%20in%20every%20country%20he%20visited%2C%20and%20at%20the%20United%20Nations.%0AHe%20challenged%20segregation%20a%20discrimination%20wherever%20he%20encountered%20them.%0AHis%20personal%20story%2C%20his%20lifelong%20advocacy%20work%20and%20his%20contribution%20to%20the%20CRPD%20Committee%20will%20have%20lasting%20impact.%0AI%20am%20grateful%20to%20have%20experienced%20his%20warmth%2C%20humour%2C%20and%20willingness%20to%20support%20others%20in%20the%20struggle%20for%20rights.%0ARobert%20raised%20the%20bar%20on%20inclusion.%0AThank%20you%2C%20Robert.%22%0A%0A**Nagase%20Osamu%2C**%20Secretary%20General%20of%20%5BInclusion%20International.%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/news-item/remembering-the-life-and-legacy-of-sir-robert-martin/%29%22%0A%22Robert%20Martin%20has%20been%20my%20inspiration.%20His%20determination%20to%20make%20change%20has%20made%20a%20difference%20in%20New%20Zealand%20and%20around%20the%20world.%22%0A%0A","Inclusion Europe mourns the death of Robert Martin, who was a disability rights champion, and pioneer of self-advocacy.\nHe was the first CRPD Committee member with intellectual disability.","/robert-martin-first-person-with-intellectual-disabilities-on-crpd-committee-died","2024-05-02T10:35:10.000Z","2024-05-03T09:22:16.000Z",{"idx":567,"title":568,"author":258,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":10,"picture":569,"content_e2r":10,"content":572,"excerpt":573,"default_type":29,"url":574,"created_at":575,"modified_at":576,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},70,"Letâs talk digital rights and accessibility - Online discussion event - 29 May 2024",{"alt":570,"picture":571},"Illustration of two people. One of them holding a Easy to read document.","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e922.png","%23%23%23%20%5BRegister.%5D%28https%3A//www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-talk-digital-rights-and-accessibility-with-european-digital-rights-tickets-904600854507%3Faff%3Doddtdtcreator%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5BJoin%20the%20call.%5D%28https%3A//teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%253ameeting_NDgwYjRmOGUtYjAwOC00NmM3LWI4NDctMzc0NjFiOWU4MmE0%2540thread.v2/0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522b77a0981-57ed-467d-80a0-e0656a6cfb5c%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%2522b21a8dd8-c958-4f19-8453-386f63190dca%2522%257d%29%0A%0A**Date%3A%2029%20May%202024**%0A%0A**Time%3A%2014%3A00%20-%2015%3A30%20CEST%20%28Brussels%20time%29**%0A%0AWe%20are%20using%20more%20digital%20tools%20and%20services%20in%20different%20parts%20in%20our%20lives.%20We%20are%20not%20only%20online%20on%20social%20media%2C%20but%20also%20to%20make%20an%20appointment%20with%20your%20doctor%20on%20their%20website%2C%20and%20doing%20our%20finances%20in%20the%20banking%20app.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20these%20online%20spaces%20are%20not%20often%20designed%20with%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20mind%2C%20and%20are%20often%20inaccessible%20as%20a%20result.%20People%20with%20intellectual%20disability%20find%20it%20difficult%20to%20access%20and%20use%20the%20internet%20to%20the%20same%20level%20as%20people%20without%20disabilities.%0A%0ADigital%20spaces%20and%20services%20should%20be%20accessible%20and%20inclusive%20for%20everyone.%20For%20that%20reason%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%20with%20%5BEuropean%20Digital%20Rights%5D%28https%3A//edri.org/%29%20are%20hosting%20a%20discussion%20group%20to%20bring%20together%20people%20working%20on%20disability%20rights%2
80C%20human%20rights%20and%20tech%20fields%20to%20discuss%20the%20digital%20experience%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0AThe%20discussion%20will%20cover%20topics%20of%20inclusive%20design%20in%20digital%20public%20or%20essential%20services%2C%20web%20accessibility%20and%20representative%20and%20inclusive%20data.%20The%20discussion%20group%20will%20provide%20us%20with%20a%20better%20understanding%20of%20how%20digitalisation%20can%20support%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.","Inclusion Europe and European Digital Rights are collaborating to address the lack of accessibility for people with intellectual disabilities in digital spaces.","/digital-rights-and-accessibility-event","2024-05-13T11:22:29.000Z","2024-12-11T15:09:10.000Z",{"idx":578,"title":579,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":10,"picture":580,"content_e2r":10,"content":583,"excerpt":584,"default_type":29,"url":585,"created_at":586,"modified_at":587,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},71,"Breaking Barriers Program - Online event - 30 May 2024",{"alt":581,"picture":582},"A few people posing for the camera. Some people sitting on the chairs in the conference room.","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e923.png","%23%23%23%20%5BRegister.%5D%28https%3A//www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/breaking-barriers-program-building-futures-and-changing-lives-tickets-907474399357%3Faff%3Doddtdtcreator%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5BJoin%20the%20call.%5D%28https%3A//teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%253ameeting_MmMzNjZiNDEtZTdkOC00MDVkLTg3MDctNWNjZGU1YzM5YjVm%2540thread.v2/0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522b77a0981-57ed-467d-80a0-e0656a6cfb5c%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%25221c1bed14-0d54-4b17-8cd6-694d74f316b0%2522%257d%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Date%20and%20time%0A%23%23%23%20Thursday%2C%20May%2030%20%B7%2011am%20-%2012%3A15pm%20CEST%0A%0AThis%20event%20is%20in%20collaboration%20with%20Lianne%20Williams%2C%20Executive%20Director%20from%20%5BEnable%5D%28uk/enable-works%29.%0A%0ASince%20its%20start%20in%202018%2C%20the%20%5BBreaking%20Barriers%20Program%5D%28https%3A//www.enable.org.uk/enable-works/our-services/breaking-barriers%29%20has%20supported%20over%20100%20young%20people%20with%20learning%20disabilities%20and%20employment%20barriers.%20Graduates%20have%20earned%20certificates%20in%20Applied%20Business%20Skills%20from%20the%20University%20of%20Strathclyde%20Business%20School%20and%20Applied%20Science%20Skills%20from%20the%20Science%20Faculty.%20In%202022%2C%20the%20program%20expanded%20to%20Edinburgh%20Napier%20University%u2019s%20Business%20School%2C%20where%2021%20students%20graduated%20with%20a%20Certificate%20in%20Applied%20Business%20Skills.%0A%0ABreaking%20Barriers%20has%20successfully%20placed%20graduates%20in%20organisations%20like%20Barclays%20%28as%20Graduate%20Apprentice%20Accountants%29%20and%20the%20Scottish%20Government%20%28as%20Policy%20Officers%29.%20Graduates%20have%20diversified%20their%20career%20paths%2C%20securing%20employment%20and%20additional%20training%20in%20filmmaking%2C%20paramedicine%2C%20cybersecurity%2C%20financial%20services%2C%20digital%20music%2C%20and%20fashion.%20An%20impressive%2090%25%20of%20young%20people%20continue%20to%20achieve%20positive%20progressions%20into%20further%20employment%2C%20education%2C%20and%20industry%20training%20after%20graduation.","Come to learn more about the program and to discuss its impact on people's lives.","/breaking-barriers-program-enable-event","2024-05-21T09:54:58.000Z","2024-12-11T15:08:35.000Z",{"idx":589,"title":590,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":10,"picture":591,"content_e2r":10,"content":594,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":595,"created_at":596,"modified_at":597,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},72,"Annual report 2023: Highlights from Inclusion Europe's projects, events and advocacy efforts",{"alt":592,"picture":593},"A person speaking in front of the conference room.","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e927.png","The%202023%20Annual%20report%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20is%20now%20published.%20You%20can%20read%20it%20%5Bhere.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e925.pdf%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Letter%20from%20the%20President%0A%0AJyrki%20Pinomaa%2C%20President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20emphasizes%20the%20organization%27s%20commitment%20to%20full%20inclusion%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20In%202023%2C%20significant%20progress%20was%20made%20with%20the%20development%20of%20Inclusion%20Indicators%2C%20a%20tool%20prov
80iding%20country-specific%20data%20on%20inclusion.%20Pinomaa%20urges%20members%20to%20use%20this%20report%20to%20advocate%20for%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20The%20letter%20reflects%20on%20the%20challenges%20and%20achievements%20of%20the%20past%20year%20and%20expresses%20gratitude%20to%20the%20members%2C%20Board%2C%20and%20Secretariat%20for%20their%20dedication.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20EPSA%20Activities%20in%202023%0A%0AThe%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%20%28EPSA%29%20had%20a%20dynamic%20year%2C%20highlighted%20by%20the%20%22%5BHear%20our%20Voices%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/hear-our-voices-self-advocacy-conference-in-tallinn-report/%29%22%20self-advocacy%20conference%20in%20Tallinn%2C%20Estonia.%20The%20conference%20brought%20together%20self-advocates%20from%20across%20Europe%20to%20discuss%20important%20issues%20and%20culminated%20in%20the%20creation%20of%20a%20manifesto.%0A%0AKey%20activities%20included%20workshops%20on%20deinstitutionalization%2C%20testimonies%20on%20life%20in%20institutions%2C%20and%20involvement%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities.%20The%20EPSA%20continued%20its%20mission%20to%20amplify%20the%20voices%20of%20self-advocates%20and%20promote%20their%20participation%20in%20decision-making%20processes.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Policy%20and%20advocacy%20initiatives%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20prov
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80of%20ambitions%2C%20rights%20and%20belonging.%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20published%20an%20interactive%20table%20with%20topics%20covered%20by%20the%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20report%202023.%20The%20website%20contains%2029%20pages%20covering%20all%20the%20countries%20in%20the%20report%20and%20individual%20position%20compared%20to%20the%20European%20average.","/annual-report-2023","2024-05-21T13:44:34.000Z","2024-09-04T10:22:55.000Z",{"idx":599,"title":600,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":601,"picture":602,"content_e2r":10,"content":605,"excerpt":606,"default_type":29,"url":607,"created_at":608,"modified_at":609,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},74,"European Union candidate for the UN CRPD Committee","European Union, CRPD ",{"alt":603,"picture":604},"Inmaculada Placencia Porrero: EU Candidate to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Photo: European Union)","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e931.png","The%20candidate%20is%20**Inmaculada%20Placencia%20Porrero.**%0AInmaculada%20Placencia%20Porrero%20is%20senior%20expert%20on%20disability%20at%20the%20European%20Commission.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%22It%20is%20a%20great%20honour%20to%20be%20nominated%20by%20the%20European%20Union%20as%20a%20candidate%20to%20the%20Committee%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities.%20The%20EU%20is%20strongly%20committed%20to%20combatting%20discrimination%20of%20all%20kind%2C%20to%20remove%20barriers%20faced%20by%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20and%20to%20work%20to%20ensure%20the%20enjoyments%20of%20rights%20and%20opportunities%20so%20that%20everyone%20can%20fully%20participate%20in%20society%20on%20equal%20basis%20with%20others.%22%0A%0A%23%23%20CRPD%20Committee%0A%0AThe%20Committee%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20is%20composed%20of%2018%20independent%20experts.%0A%0AThe%20term%20of%209%20Committee%20members%20expire%20on%2031%20December%202024.%20%0A9%20new%20members%20must%20be%20elected%20this%20year.%0A%0AThe%20elections%20will%20take%20place%20during%20the%2017th%20session%20of%20the%20Conference%20of%20the%20States%20parties%20to%20the%20Convention%2C%20in%20New%20York%20from%2011%20to%2013%20June%202024.%0A%0ALean%20more%3A%0A-%20%5BWhat%20is%20the%20UN%20CRPD%5D%28https%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DsZCa2_sMKW4%29%20%28easy%20to%20understand%20video%29%0A-%20%5BWhat%20is%20the%20CRPD%20Committee%5D%28https%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DHbLtFkAvl8E%29%20%28easy%20to%20understand%20video%29%0A-%20%5B17th%20Conference%20of%20State%20Parties%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/event/17th-session-of-the-conference-of-states-parties-to-the-crpd-cosp17/%29%2C%20information%20from%20Inclusion%20International%0A%0A%23%23%20EU%20candidate%20to%20the%20Committee%0A%0A%5BEU%20candidate%20to%20the%20Committee%5D%28https%3A//www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-new-york/inmaculada-placencia-porrero-eu-candidate-committee-rights-persons-disabilities_en%29%20says%3A%0A%0A%22Disability%20policies%20must%20be%20designed%20to%20benefit%20all%20of%20society%20but%20most%20of%20all%20to%20ensure%20that%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20have%20effective%20access%20to%20their%20rights%20and%20improve%20their%20socio-economic%20participation%20and%20situation.%0A%0A%22I%20have%20over%2030%20years%20of%20expertise%20in%20the%20area%20of%20disability.%20Throughout%20those%20years%20I%20have%20worked%20passionately%20and%20constructively%20with%20organisations%20representing%20persons%20with%20disabilities%2C%20public%20administrations%2C%20experts%2C%20human%20rights%20defenders%2C%20and%20industry%20to%20advance%20the%20development%20of%20disability%20policy%2C%20legislation%2C%20action%20plans%20and%20strategies%20across%20the%20areas%20covered%20by%20the%20UNCRPD%20in%20the%20European%20Union%20and%20internationally.%0A%0A%22I%20will%20strongly%20contribute%20to%20advancing%20the%20dialogues%20with%20State%20Parties%20in%20the%20area%20of%20accessibility%20and%20new%20technologies%20where%20solutions%20should%20be%20of%20a%20global%20nature%2C%20particularly%20in%20the%20area%20of%20ICT.%20I%20will%20also%20work%20on%20promoting%20independent%20living%20and%20access%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20to%20services%2C%20education%2C%20and%20the%20labour%20%5Bmarket%5
80D.%0A%0A%22The%20Committee%20will%20be%20enriched%20with%20expertise%20in%20terms%20of%20cooperation%20and%20join%20efforts%20among%20states%2C%20gained%20working%20within%20the%20only%20Regional%20Integration%20Organisation%20that%20is%20currently%20a%20party%20to%20the%20UNCRPD.%20Mutual%20learning%20among%20regions%20and%20countries%20is%20essential%20to%20advance%20the%20UNCRPD%20agenda.%22%0A%0A","The European Union nominated, for the first time, its candidate to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.","/european-union-candidate-for-the-un-crpd-committee","2024-06-06T12:04:21.000Z","2024-06-06T12:08:39.000Z",{"idx":611,"title":612,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":10,"picture":613,"content_e2r":10,"content":616,"excerpt":617,"default_type":29,"url":618,"created_at":619,"modified_at":620,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},75,"General assembly 2024 in Glasgow",{"alt":614,"picture":615},"Conference room. ","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e937.jpeg","Jyrki%20Pinomaa%2C%20president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20welcomed%20our%20members%20to%20the%202024%20General%20assembly.%20The%20meeting%20took%20place%208%20May%20in%20Glasgow%2C%20as%20part%20of%20Europe%20in%20Action%20conference.%0A%0A**Jyrki%20Pinomaa**%20talked%20about%20some%20of%20the%20work%20we%20did%20in%202023%3A%0A-%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%5D%28http%3A//inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20report%3B%0A-%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%20self-advocacy%20conference%3B%0A-%20Training%20for%20self-advocates%20and%20family%20members%20which%20took%20place%20in%20Rome.%0A%0AJyrki%20Pinomaa%20thanked%20all%20our%20members%20for%20their%20contributions%20to%20the%20work%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%0A**L%E1szl%F3%20Bercse%2C**%20chair%20of%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Platform%20of%20Self%20Advocates%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/epsa-members%29%20and%20vice-president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20presented%20EPSA%20work%20in%202023%3A%0A-%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%20self-advocacy%20conference%2C%20which%20took%20place%20in%20Tallinn%3B%20%0A-%20%5BMake%20it%20real%21%20self-advocates%u2019%20manifesto%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/make-it-real-manifesto-from-hear-our-voices%21-conference%3Fe2r%3D1%29%20from%20Tallinn%3B%0A-%20Self-advocates%20representing%20Inclusion%20Europe%20at%20conferences.%0A%0AL%E1szl%F3%20also%20presented%20the%20results%20of%20EPSA%20survey%20about%20how%20are%20self-advocates%20represented%20on%20the%20boards%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20members%3A%0A-%2030%20members%20from%2023%20countries%20answered%20the%20survey%3B%0A-%20Some%20organisations%20have%20good%20arrangements%20participation%20at%20board%20level%3B%0A-%20Some%20organisations%20need%20to%20improve%20how%20they%20include%20self-advocates%20in%20their%20boards%3B%0A-%20EPSA%20will%20continue%20to%20work%20on%20improving%20self-advocates%u2019%20participation.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%5BAnnual%20report%202023%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2023%29%20was%20approved%20by%20the%20General%20assembly.%0A%0AThe%20General%20assembly%20also%20elected%20new%20members%20of%20the%20Board.%0A%0A**Elected%20to%20the%20Board%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20were%3A**%20%0A-%20Jeanne%20Nicklas-Faust%2C%20nominated%20by%20Lebenshilfe%20%28Germany%29.%0A-%20Cristina%20Schiratti%2C%20nominated%20by%20Anffas%20%28Italy%29.%0A-%20Guillaume%20Jacquinot%2C%20nominated%20by%20Inclusion%20Ireland.%0A-%20Camille%20Latimier%2C%20nominated%20by%20Inclusion%20Czechia.%0A%0AAnastasiya%20Zhyrmont%27s%20term%20at%20the%20Board%20came%20to%20an%20end.%0A%0ADuring%20a%20Board%20meeting%20the%20following%20day%2C%20**Guillaume%20Jacquinot**%20was%20elected%20as%20Secretary%20General%20of%20Inclusion%20Erope.%0A%0A**Ana%20Mart%EDnez%2C**%20from%20Spain%2C%20was%20re-elected%20to%20EPSA%20Steering%20Group%20during%20the%20EPSA%20General%20meeting%20earlier%20on%20the%20day.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Other%20topics%20at%20the%20GA%0A%0AMilan%20Sverepa%2C%20director%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20described%20how%20we%20are%20going%20to%20work%20to%20end%20segregation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20and%20isolation%20of%20their%20families%20in%20Europe.%0A%0ARaisa%20Kravchenko%2C%20representing%20VGO%20Coalition%2C%20talked%20about%20situation%20in%20Ukraine%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20Raisa%20thanked%20Inclusion%20Europe%20and%20
80our%20members%20for%20their%20support%20during%20the%20war.%0A","Inclusion Europe members came together for a General assembly meeting in Glasgow. The GA approved our annual reports, elected new Board members, and discussed what is next in our work for full rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and families in Europe.","/general-assembly-2024-in-glasgow","2024-07-01T16:10:11.000Z","2024-07-03T13:28:48.000Z",{"idx":622,"title":623,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":624,"picture":625,"content_e2r":418,"content":628,"excerpt":629,"default_type":29,"url":630,"created_at":631,"modified_at":631,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},76,"Meeting with EU Commissioner Dalli ","Inclusion indicators, European Commission",{"alt":626,"picture":627},"Commissioner Dalli with Inclusion Europe representatives.","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e938.jpeg","Inclusion%20Europe%20met%20with%20%5BEU%20Commissioner%20for%20Equality%5D%28https%3A//commissioners.ec.europa.eu/helena-dalli_en%29%20Helena%20Dalli%20on%2019%20June%20in%20Brussels%20to%20discuss%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Europe.%20%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20was%20represented%20by%20Jyrki%20Pinomaa%2C%20president%2C%20Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%2C%20accessibility%20expert%2C%20Helen%20Portal%2C%20policy%20and%20advocacy%20office%2C%20and%20Milan%20Sverepa%2C%20director.%0A%0AJyrki%20Pinomaa%20presented%20key%20issues%20described%20in%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%202023%5D%28http%3A//inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20report.%20%0A%0ACommissioner%20Dalli%20described%20some%20of%20the%20recent%20initiatives%20following%20EU%20Disability%20Rights%20Strategy.%20For%20example%2C%20%5Bguidance%20on%20elections%20accessibility%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/different-ways-of-making-elections-accessible%29%20employment%20etc.%0A%20%0ANow%2C%20we%20are%20collecting%20data%20for%20Inclusion%20indicators%202024.%0AThis%20time%2C%20we%20also%20ask%20self-advocates%20for%20their%20individual%20take%20on%20the%20situation%20in%20their%20country.%0AThe%20self-advocate%20survey%20is%20available%20in%20Croatian%2C%20Dutch%2C%20French%2C%20German%2C%20Italian%2C%20Portuguese%2C%20Slovenian%2C%20and%20Spanish.%0A%0A%22Inclusion%20Indicators%20report%20has%20proved%20to%20be%20a%20useful%20tool%20in%20describing%20the%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20in%20Europe%2C%22%20says%20Jyrki%20Pinomaa.%0A%0A%22The%20feedback%20of%20the%20report%20has%20been%20very%20encouraging%2C%20and%20the%20report%20has%20been%20often%20referred%20to%20by%20policy%20and%20decision%20makers.%22","The Commissioner and Inclusion Europe discussed rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in Europe.","/meeting-with-eu-commissioner-dalli","2024-07-04T10:26:53.000Z",{"idx":633,"title":634,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":635,"picture":636,"content_e2r":10,"content":639,"excerpt":640,"default_type":29,"url":641,"created_at":642,"modified_at":643,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},77,"The election results are in, but the fight for disability rights continues","elections,László Bercse,Hungary,right to vote,European Economic and Social Committee",{"alt":637,"picture":638},"Group of self-advocates","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e93e.jpeg","With%20the%20elections%20behind%20us%2C%20we%20are%20left%20feeling%20the%20same%2C%20still%20fighting%20for%20the%20same%20things.%20People%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20often%20cannot%20make%20important%20decisions%20about%20their%20lives%2C%20like%20voting%2C%20choosing%20where%20to%20live%20or%20finding%20a%20job.%20This%20affects%20millions%20of%20people%20and%20their%20families.%20We%20need%20laws%20to%20protect%20their%20rights%20and%20support%20them%20in%20making%20decisions.%20Everyone%20deserves%20the%20chance%20to%20be%20included%20and%20have%20a%20say%20in%20their%20future.%0A%0AIn%20terms%20of%20education%2C%20700%A0000%20children%20are%20still%20in%20segregated%20special%20schools%2C%20and%2020%A0000%20receive%20no%20education%20at%20all.%20No%20wonder%20they%u2019re%20not%20prepared%20to%20make%20%u2018proper%u2019%20decisions.%20%0A%0AWhen%20it%20comes%20to%20employment%2C%20less%20than%2010%25%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20employed.%20So%20it%20shouldn%u2019t%20be%20a%20surprise%20when%20they%20can%u2019t%20sign%20contracts.%0A%0AWith%20regard%20to%20housing%2C%20up%20to%20750%A0000%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20confined%20in%20harmful%20segregated%20institutions%2C%20while%20an%20additional%2039%A0000%20reside%20in%20psychiatric%20hospitals.%0A%0AAll%20these%20aspects%20
80of%20a%20person%u2019s%20life%20are%20very%20much%20intertwined%2C%20and%20depriving%20someone%20of%20their%20legal%20capacity%20has%20a%20negative%20impact%20on%20all%20areas%20of%20their%20life.%20Protecting%20vulnerable%20people%20is%20often%20the%20reasoning%20used%20to%20justify%20such%20measures.%20But%20these%20measures%20have%20a%20huge%20impact%20over%20the%20lives%20of%2020%A0million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%2C%20as%20shown%20by%20the%20recently%20published%20Inclusion%20Indicators.%0A%0AIn%202019%2C%20around%20800%A0000%20people%20from%2016%20EU%20Member%20States%20did%20not%20have%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20or%20to%20stand%20for%20election%20based%20on%20their%20disability.%20Since%20then%2C%20France%2C%20Germany%20and%20Spain%20have%20changed%20their%20laws.%20And%20the%20European%20Parliament%20adopted%20a%20resolution%20which%20calls%20for%20the%20enforcement%20of%20all%20EU%20citizens%u2019%20right%20to%20vote%2C%20regardless%20of%20their%20legal%20capacity%20or%20whether%20they%20are%20currently%20living%20in%20an%20institution.%20%0A%0AIn%20the%202024%20elections%2C%20around%20400%A0000%20people%20under%20guardianship%20did%20not%20have%20the%20right%20to%20vote.%0A%0ANearly%2050%A0000%20people%20under%20guardianship%20couldn%u2019t%20vote%20in%20Hungary.%20We%20need%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20so%20that%20decision-makers%20do%20not%20make%20decisions%20about%20us%20without%20us%20having%20a%20say.%20Some%20don%u2019t%20see%20the%20problem%2C%20and%20yet%20no%20other%20citizen%20must%20pass%20an%20IQ%20test%20to%20vote.%20Why%20should%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20have%20to%20do%20so%3F%20Does%20it%20mean%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20second-class%20citizens%3F%0A%0AWe%20need%20the%20newly%20elected%20European%20Parliament%20to%20do%20everything%20they%20can%20to%20make%20the%20following%20come%20true.%0A%A0%0A-%20Every%20person%20with%20disabilities%20must%20have%20the%20right%20to%20vote%2C%20including%20all%20those%20under%20guardianship.%20We%20are%20citizens%20of%20Europe%2C%20and%20we%20should%20have%20the%20right%20to%20have%20a%20say%20in%20politics.%20%0A%0A-%20Guardianship%20must%20be%20abolished%2C%20and%20supported%20decision-making%20must%20be%20promoted%20because%20we%20need%20good%20support%20in%20making%20decisions%2C%20not%20guardianship.%20%0A%0A-%20We%20need%20quality%20education%20to%20enable%20us%20to%20find%20a%20job.%20We%20need%20more%20jobs%2C%20better%20support%20in%20the%20workplace%20and%20higher%20salaries.%20We%20want%20to%20do%20meaningful%20work%20in%20the%20open%20labour%20market.%0A%0A-%20Poverty%20among%20the%20families%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20must%20be%20combated.%0A%0A-%20%u2018Care%u2019%20institutions%20must%20be%20closed%20and%20replaced%20with%20disability%20support%20services%20enabling%20people%20to%20live%20independently%20and%20be%20included%20in%20the%20community.%20%0A%0A-%20People%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20must%20be%20involved%20in%20decisions%20that%20concern%20them.%20This%20means1.%201.%20Ordered%20list%20having%20the%20opportunities%20and%20support%20to%20share%20their%20views%20and%20expectations%20during%20the%20policymaking%20process.%0A%A0%0AThere%20are%20several%20good%20EU%20initiatives%20that%20need%20to%20be%20fully%20implemented%20by%20Member%20States%20in%20order%20to%20make%20the%20most%20of%20them%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20This%20includes%20the%20European%20Accessibility%20Act%2C%20the%20EU%20Disability%20Card%20and%20other%20initiatives%20outlined%20in%20the%20EU%20Disability%20Rights%20Strategy..%0A%0AWe%20expect%20the%20European%20Parliament%20to%20play%20a%20big%20role%20in%20establishing%20good%20inclusion%20policies%20and%20to%20pay%20close%20attention%20to%20how%20well%20these%20policies%20are%20implemented.%0A%0AThe%20article%20was%20published%20in%20the%20%5Bnewsletter%20of%20the%20European%20Economic%20and%20Social%20Committee.%5D%28https%3A//www.eesc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-07/23_446_cso_bulletin_july24.pdf%23msdynttrid%3DjVcTiRBeP3Wq5a_kYCBWJHPo9SyzKmZZ06-rn-ZHCBM%29","László Bercse, Vice-President of Inclusion Europe, wrote to European Economic and Social Committee about the demands of the hashtag disability rights movement.","/after-elections-fight-continues","2024-07-11T09:10:28.000Z","2025-09-24T12:13:30.000Z",{"idx":645,"title":646,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":647,"picture":648,"content_e2r":10,"content":651,"excerpt":652,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":653,"created_at":654,"modified_at":655,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},78,"Inclusion Indicators explained: Closing the disability data gap video","Inclusion indicators,data",{"alt":649,"picture":650},"Disability rights. Life without barriers.","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e93f.png","Inclusion%20Europe%20published%20%5Ba%20video%5D%28https%3A//youtu.be/4x6VaD5-LHY%29%20about%20the%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%20report%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29.%0A%0AThere%20is%20a%20big%20disability%20data%20gap%20in%20Europe%2C%20specifically%20when%20looking%20at%20desegregated%20data%20on%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20To%20decrease%20this%20gap%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%20launched%20the%20first%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%20report%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20last%20year%3A%20an%20ambitious%20data%20project%20to%20collect%20data%20on%20the%20situation%20on%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20different%20countries.","In this new video, we take a closer look at the topics and findings of the indicators project and why it's important to close the disability data gap.","/inclusion-indicators-explained","2024-08-19T09:56:27.000Z","2025-12-19T16:20:28.000Z",{"idx":657,"title":658,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":659,"picture":660,"content_e2r":10,"content":663,"excerpt":664,"default_type":29,"url":665,"created_at":666,"modified_at":667,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},79,"Breaking Barriers programme - Leanne Williams and Melanie Hill for Inclusion Europe Radio","podcast",{"alt":661,"picture":662},"Inclusion Europe Radio - Leanne Williams and Melanie Hill, Breaking barriers program.","https://str.inclusion.eu/99b0628b2307ebc50a086241a.png","In%20this%20%5Bepisode%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20Radio%5D%28https%3A//spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/zIe7o0LPeMb%29%2C%20Sandra%20from%20Inclusion%20Europe%20hosts%20Leanne%20Williams%20from%20Enable%20Scotland%20and%20Melanie%20Hill%20from%20Scottish%20Power%20to%20discuss%20the%20%5BBreaking%20Barriers%20program.%5D%28https%3A//www.enable.org.uk/enable-works/our-services/breaking-barriers%29%20%0A%0AFounded%20in%202018%2C%20the%20program%20partners%20with%20universities%20like%20Strathclyde%20and%20Napier%20and%20corporations%20such%20as%20Scottish%20Power%20to%20provide%20students%20with%20a%20comprehensive%20experience%2C%20from%20initial%20registration%20to%20university%20coursework%20and%20practical%20work%20placements.%20%0A%0AThrough%20four%20distinct%20phases%u2014registration%2C%20university%20experience%2C%20work%20placement%2C%20and%20formal%20graduation%u2014Breaking%20Barriers%20supports%20students%20in%20achieving%20personal%20and%20professional%20goals%20while%20promoting%20inclusivity.%20%0A%0AThe%20program%27s%20impact%20is%20further%20enriched%20by%20enabling%20ongoing%20support%2C%20mentorship%2C%20and%20the%20adaptability%20to%20cater%20to%20diverse%20needs%2C%20making%20significant%20strides%20towards%20improving%20employment%20statistics%20for%20individuals%20with%20learning%20disabilities%20in%20Scotland.%0A%0A**Podcast%20timestamps%3A**%0A%0A00%3A21%A0Overview%20of%20Breaking%20Barriers%20Program%0A%0A01%3A14%A0Enable%20Scotland%27s%20Operational%20Pillars%0A%0A04%3A15%A0Breaking%20Barriers%3A%20Program%20Details%0A%0A05%3A14%A0University%20Experience%20and%20Challenges%0A%0A09%3A17%A0Work%20Experience%20and%20Graduation%0A%0A16%3A26%A0Employer%20Perspective%3A%20Scottish%20Power%0A%0A25%3A06%A0Benefits%20and%20Impact%20of%20Breaking%20Barriers%0A%0A30%3A35%A0Funding%20and%20Sustainability%0A%0A33%3A49%A0Conclusion%20and%20Final%20Thoughts%0A","The education and employment initiative aims to widen access for individuals with learning disabilities. ","/breaking-barriers-program-enable-podcast","2024-08-21T10:59:41.000Z","2026-02-04T16:34:48.000Z",{"idx":669,"title":670,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":457,"picture":671,"content_e2r":10,"content":674,"excerpt":371,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":675,"created_at":676,"modified_at":677,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},80,"Europe for Us - Disability vote",{"alt":672,"picture":673},"Photos of people with intellectual disabilities.","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e941.png","Contents%20of%20the%20latest%20issue%3A%0A%0AThe%20disability%20vote%20in%20the%202024%20European%20elections%0A%0A1.%20Letter%20for%20newly%20elected%20Members%20of%20European%20Parliament%20from%20Laszlo%20Bercse%0A2.%20European%20Disability%20Forum%0A3.%20Voters%20of%20Europe%3A%20Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%0A4.%20Voters%20of%20Europe%3A%20Mathilde%20Cotman%0A5.%20Voters%20of%20Europe%3A%20Tamara%20Byrne%0A6.%20Voters%20of%20Europe%3A%20Senada%20Halil%u010Devi%u0107%0A%0ALanguage%20versions%3A%20%5BEnglish%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e942.pdf%29%20-%20%5BNederlands%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e944.pdf%29%20-%20%5BFran%E7ais%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e946.pdf%29%20-%20%5BDeutsch%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e94a.pdf%29%20-%20%5BEspa%F1ol%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e948.pdf%29%20-%20%5BRom%E2n%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e945.pdf%29%20-%20%5BMagyar%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e949.pdf%29%20-%20%5BItaliano%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e943.pdf%29%20-%20%5B%u0443%u043A%u0440%u0430%u0457%u043D%u0441%u044C%u043A%u0430%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2b7f2cdd7d140d993dc12e947.pdf%29%0A%0ASubscribe%20to%20our%20%5Bmailing%20list%5D%28https%3A//e34b73c4.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFACxokgTbhuJCuLfAc2Ifim0DgELA4WZiFONtpBoE4S0ec508gn0-InlSjqcNtJ60bcnzL6g4NJCdADATuGTFAzAa_NHSaI6NeuYHsvfX66u4tPlKpl64o7Qx41IY1u3RKOuUD1Asg1dmHbNqZQ3GSLReo-j00e9wswdEtqO1GS8H1TTfFyOIsCt4mfbeWdglJD0kVCynxGf9%29%20to%20receive%20Europe%20for%20us%20magazine%20in%20your%20email.%0A%0A**%5BPrevious%20issues%20of%20Europe%20for%20us.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-magazine%29**","/disability-vote-europe-for-us-magazine","2024-08-22T12:31:58.000Z","2025-12-18T14:32:03.000Z",{"idx":679,"title":680,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":681,"picture":682,"content_e2r":10,"content":685,"excerpt":686,"default_type":29,"url":687,"created_at":688,"modified_at":689,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},81,"I saw much more self-advocatesâ participation in research, notes Jyrki Pinomaa after attending a congress ","jyrki pinomaa",{"alt":683,"picture":684},"President of Inclusion Europe, posing in front of the building of European Commission ","https://str.inclusion.eu/1028471f142760e0f76768300.jpg","The%2017th%20%5BIASSIDD%20World%20Congress%5D%28https%3A//iassidd.org/congresses/congress-2024/%29%20took%20place%20in%20Chicago%2C%20USA%2C%20August%205-8%2C%202024.%20IASSIDD%20%28the%20International%20Association%20for%20the%20Scientific%20Study%20of%20Intellectual%20and%20Developmental%20Disabilities%29%20Congresses%20are%20organised%20every%20third%20year%2C%20now%20five%20years%20had%20passed%20since%20the%20previous%20one%20in%20Glasgow%202019.%20%0A%0AThis%20was%20my%20third%20IASSIDD%20World%20Congress%20and%20I%20was%20extremely%20glad%20to%20find%20out%20one%20very%20good%20and%20positive%20development.%20This%20World%20Congress%20introduced%20self-advocates%20as%20co-researchers%2C%20highlighting%20their%20expertise%2C%20and%20their%20lived%20experience.%20The%20expert%20role%20of%20families%2C%20parents%20and%20siblings%20was%20also%20recognised%20more%20clearly%20than%20before.%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0AOne%20of%20my%20goals%20in%20attending%20these%20congresses%20has%20been%20to%20promote%20the%20co-operation%20between%20advocacy%20and%20research%2C%20to%20bring%20the%20voice%20and%20view%20of%20families%20into%20these%20discussions.%20Now%20I%20see%20it%20happening%2C%20and%20I%20think%20it%20is%20a%20very%20good%20progress.%20%20%0A%0AI%20am%20not%20saying%20that%20I%20had%20anything%20to%20do%20with%20it.%20I%20just%20think%20that%20the%20time%20has%20been%20right%20for%20the%20research%20world%20to%20understand%20this.%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0AAmongst%20the%201%2C000%20participants%2C%20there%20were%20a%20lot%20of%20self-advocates%20and%20family%20members%2C%20and%20numerous%20presentations%20were%20about%20inclusive%20research%20with%20self-advocates%20as%20co-researchers.%20%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0APart%20of%20the%20Congress%20program%20and%20an%20instructions%20booklet%20were%20published%20also%20in%20easy-to-read%20English.%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0ADespite%20the%20good%20intentions%20the%20Congress%20was%20not%20inclusive.%20Majority%20of%20the%20speakers%2C%20especially%20in%20parallel%20sessions%2C%20talked%20far%20too%20fast%2C%20making%20it%20very%20difficult%20to%20follow%2C%20and%20near%20impossible%2
800for%20support%20persons%20to%20do%20their%20work%20well.%20Means%20of%20improving%20event%20accessibility%20such%20as%20the%20red%2C%20yellow%20and%20green%20cards%20were%20not%20in%20use.%0A%0AThere%20were%20many%20interesting%20topics%20at%20the%20Congress.%20Having%20several%20parallel%20sessions%20running%20at%20the%20same%20time%20makes%20it%20difficult%20to%20choose%20from.%20You%20inevitably%20have%20to%20prioritise%2C%20and%20will%20miss%20many%20important%20topics%20and%20sessions.%0A%0AAll%20ten%20keynotes%20were%20truly%20good%20and%20well%20presented.%20There%20was%2C%20however%2C%20one%20that%20struck%20me%2C%20maybe%20because%20it%20was%20about%20something%20we%20all%20struggle%20with%20constantly%3B%20%u201CHow%20to%20overcome%20intellectual%20disability%20stigma%u201D%2C%20by%20Professor%20Katrina%20Scior%20from%20the%20UK.%20Professor%20Scior%20has%20been%20working%20with%20self-advocates%20for%20a%20long%20time.%20One%20of%20them%20is%20former%20board%20member%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20Harry%20Roche.%0A%0AKatrina%20Scior%u2019s%20keynote%20included%20an%20approach%20which%20I%20gladly%20share%3A%20%22It%20is%20time%20to%20desist%20from%20using%20established%20models%20and%20campaigning%20efforts%20to%20reduce%20disability%20stigma%20and%20instead%20position%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20not%20only%20at%20the%20centre%20but%20as%20the%20driving%20force%20in%20efforts%20to%20overcome%20stigma.%22","This reminds of one the centre-pieces of Inclusion Europe work: Making sure every possible self-advocate can tell their story face to face with those who need to hear it. ","/IASSIDD-world-congress-2024","2024-09-03T12:23:10.000Z","2024-09-03T12:24:20.000Z",{"idx":691,"title":692,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":693,"picture":694,"content_e2r":10,"content":697,"excerpt":698,"default_type":29,"url":699,"created_at":700,"modified_at":701,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},82,"âPracticalâ and âemotionalâ â training for Ukrainian activists on support for people with intellectual disabilities","Ukraine, NGO Coalition,person-centred planning",{"alt":695,"picture":696},"Training participants in discussion.","https://str.inclusion.eu/1028471f142760e0f76768302.jpg","26%20participants%20attended%2C%20representing%20NGOs%20from%20across%20Ukraine.%20The%20training%20took%20place%20in%20Lutsk%2C%20Ukraine%2C%20mid-August%2C%20as%20part%20of%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20work%20supporting%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Ukraine.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/supporting-rights-and-inclusion-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-in-ukraine%29%20This%20work%20is%20supported%20by%20CBM%2C%20as%20part%20of%20%5Bthe%20European%20Disability%20Forum%u2019s%20project.%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/projects/ukraine-war-opd-led-disability-inclusive-response-and-recovery-phase-2/%29%20%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20participants%20of%20the%20training%20was%20Olena%20Kravchenko%2C%20head%20of%20the%20NGO%20Coalition.%20%5BOlena%20was%20forced%20to%20evacuate%20from%20occupied%20Mariupol%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/olena-kravchenko-we-are-gratefu-you-supported-ukraine/%29%20in%202022%2C%20and%20this%20was%20the%20first%20time%20she%20was%20able%20to%20reconnect%20with%20her%20colleagues%20in%20person.%20%0A%0A%23%23%20Training%20topics%20and%20structure%0A%0AParticipants%20learned%20and%20exchanged%20on%202%20main%20topics%2C%20requested%20by%20members%20of%20the%20NGO%20Coalition%3A%20%0A1.%20Person-centred%20approach%20to%20supporting%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A2.%20Developing%20projects%2C%20and%20theory%20of%20change.%20%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20trainers%20provided%20participants%20with%20educational%20materials%2C%20including%20video%20lessons%2C%20presentations%2C%20worksheets%2C%20and%20recommended%20reading.%20%0A%0ADue%20to%20frequent%20power%20outages%2C%20internet%20disruptions%2C%20and%20security%20concerns%2C%20the%20training%20was%20organised%20in%20a%20mixed%20format.%20It%20began%20with%20an%20online%20live%20session%20with%20trainers%2C%20followed%20by%20pre-recorded%20lectures%2C%20group%20work%20and%20discussions.%20%0A%0A%u201CThis%20training%20provided%20participants%20with%20practical%20tools%20for%20their%20work%2C%u201D%20said%20Olena%20Tsarenko%2C%20NGO%20Coalition%20project%20coordinator.%20%u201CIt%20was%20also%20important%20that%20family%20members%20and%20leaders%20of%20the%20NGO%20Coalition%20branches%20were%20able%20to%20meet%20in%20person%20
80after%20such%20a%20long%20time.%u201D%20%0A%0A%21%5BGroup%20photo%20of%20the%20meeting%20participants%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/1028471f142760e0f76768303.png%29%0A%0A%23%23%20NGO%20Coalition%20Council%20meeting%0A%0AThis%20was%20also%20the%20first%20time%20since%20the%20full-scale%20invasion%20the%20Council%20of%20the%20NGO%20Coalition%20was%20able%20to%20meet%20in%20person.%20The%20Council%20discussed%20new%20goals%20and%20projects%20aimed%20at%20helping%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Ukraine.%20%0A%0A%u201CThe%20meeting%20was%20very%20emotional%20and%20touching.%20We%20had%20the%20chance%20to%20exchange%20experiences%2C%20share%20news%2C%20and%20simply%20chat.%20It%20was%20wonderful%20to%20see%20colleagues%20from%20different%20cities%20and%20meet%20new%20people%2C%u201D%20said%20Olena%20Melnyk%2C%20head%20of%20the%20NGO%20%22Parents%20of%20Children%20with%20Down%20Syndrome%20and%20Other%20Developmental%20Disorders%22.%20%0A%0A**Participants%20in%20the%20training%20said%3A**%0A%0A%22The%20information%20about%20project%20development%20and%20grants%20applications%20will%20greatly%20assist%20me%20in%20working%20with%20the%20Kherson%20community%2C%20especially%20in%20these%20wartime%20conditions.%22%20Lyudmila%20Savytska%2C%20%22Mother%27s%20Heart%22%20in%20Kherson.%20%0A%0A%22I%20found%20the%20practical%20task%20of%20monitoring%20social%20services%20extremely%20beneficial.%20This%20is%20a%20very%20useful%20skill%20for%20our%20organisation.%22%20Oksana%20Shcherbatska%2C%20Vinnytsia%20public%20organisation%20%22Parostok%22.%20%0A%0AThe%20All-Ukrainian%20NGO%20Coalition%20for%20People%20with%20Intellectual%20Disabilities%2C%20a%20member%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20represents%20119%20NGOs%20and%20communal%20institutions%20advocating%20for%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20The%20coalition%20supports%20approximately%2014%2C000%20families%2C%201%2C000%20specialists%2C%20and%201%2C000%20volunteers%20across%20the%20country.%0A%0A**%5BRead%20more%20about%20our%20work%20in%20Ukraine.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/supporting-rights-and-inclusion-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-in-ukraine%29**","Inclusion Europe, in collaboration with our member organisation âThe All-Ukrainian NGO Coalition for People with Intellectual Disabilitiesâ, organised 3-day training for parents of people with intellectual disabilities, and leaders of Ukrainian disability organisations. \nThe training was designed to share experiences and improve skills in providing support for people with intellectual disabilities.","/%E2%80%9Cpractical%E2%80%9D-and-%E2%80%9Cemotional%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%93-training-for-ukrainian-activists-on-support-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities","2024-09-05T10:28:18.000Z","2024-12-11T15:10:47.000Z",{"idx":703,"title":704,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":705,"picture":706,"content_e2r":10,"content":709,"excerpt":710,"default_type":29,"url":711,"created_at":712,"modified_at":713,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},83,"Supporting rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their families in Ukraine","Ukraine,Inclusion Ukraine",{"alt":707,"picture":708},"Ukraine session at Hear our voices! self-advocacy 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80C%20information%20about%20disability%20rights%2C%20or%20easy-to-read%20guidelines%20and%20documents.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Articles%20about%20the%20project%0A%0A*%20%5BConcerns%20about%20disability%20rights%20raised%20by%20CRPD%20Committee%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/concerns-about-disability-rights-raised-by-crpd-committee%29%0A%0A*%20%5BDisability%20organisations%20continue%20advocating%20for%20deinstitutionalisation%20in%20Ukraine%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/disability-organisations-continue-advocating-for-deinstitutionalisation-in-ukraine%29%0A%0A%0A","Inclusion Europe supports our member organisation in Ukraine in their advocacy for full rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.","/supporting-rights-and-inclusion-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-in-ukraine","2024-09-10T15:26:05.000Z","2025-02-14T11:52:26.000Z",{"idx":715,"title":716,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":717,"picture":718,"content_e2r":10,"content":720,"excerpt":721,"default_type":29,"url":722,"created_at":723,"modified_at":724,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},84,"Much more needs to be done to implement deinstitutionalisation","deinstitutionalisation,Czechia,Lithuania, Romania,Slovakia,TogetherPlus",{"alt":548,"picture":719},"https://str.inclusion.eu/e1bb212616cbf622b33d7be02.JPG","Organisations%20from%20Czechia%2C%20Lithuania%2C%20Romania%2C%20and%20Slovakia%20%5Bwork%20together%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/together-plus-project%29%20to%20support%20transition%20from%20institutionalisation%20to%20community-based%20support.%0A%0AThey%20created%20analysis%20of%20their%20countries%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20deinstitutionalisation.%20What%20follows%20are%20excracts%20from%20these%20analysis%20and%20reflections%20created%20by%20the%20organisations%3A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Czechia%0A%0AIn%20Czechia%2C%20deinstitutionalisation%20aims%20to%20enable%20people%20with%20disabilities%20to%20live%20in%20a%20mainstream%20environment%20in%20conditions%20comparable%20to%20other%20citizens%20of%20the%20same%20age.%20%0A%0AThe%20transformation%20of%20institutional%20services%20to%20community-based%20services%20is%20necessary%20to%20enable%20people%20with%20disabilities%20to%20make%20decisions%20about%20their%20lives%2C%20exercise%20their%20rights%20and%20be%20supported%20to%20live%20independently.%0A%0ADespite%20a%20wide%20variety%20of%20social%20services%2C%20there%20are%20still%20many%20people%20living%20in%20institutions.%0A%A0%0AOver%20time%2C%20the%20capacity%20of%20residential%20institutional%20services%20has%20reduced%20and%20the%20number%20of%20places%20in%20community%20social%20services%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities%20has%20increased.%20Transformation%20processes%20and%20the%20promotion%20of%20other%20support%20networks%20have%20influenced%20these%20changes.%0A%0ACommunity-based%20support%20services%20are%20becoming%20more%20available%2C%20as%20does%20greater%20support%20for%20family%20carers.%20%20%0A%A0%0AOne%20of%20the%20main%20problems%20with%20the%20implementation%20of%20deinstitutionalisation%20is%20that%20it%20is%20not%20a%20priority%20for%20the%20government.%20The%20state%20continues%20to%20provide%20financial%20support%20for%20institutional%20services.%20%0A%0APeople%u2019s%20needs%20are%20not%20addressed%2C%20and%20they%20are%20not%20routinely%20involved%20in%20decision%20making.%20Healthcare%20professionals%20are%20not%20always%20in%20favour%20of%20change%20and%20many%20public%20guardians%20do%20not%20always%20act%20in%20the%20best%20interests%20of%20the%20person%20when%20intervening%20or%20making%20decisions.%20%0A%A0%0AThere%20is%20very%20little%20direct%20involvement%20and%20participation%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20in%20the%20process%20of%20transformation%20of%20services.%20People%20with%20disabilities%20who%20live%20in%20institutional%20services%20are%20not%20part%20of%20the%20decision-making.%20%0A%0A-%20See%20also%3A%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%20for%20Czechia%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators/cz%29%0A%A0%0A%23%23%23%20Lithuania%0A%0ADeinstitutionalisation%20is%20defined%20as%20
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80one%20of%20the%20largest%20employment%20gaps%20between%20disabled%20and%20non-disabled%20people%20in%20the%20EU.%20%0A%0AThe%20Committee%20also%20highlights%20the%20lack%20of%20funding%20for%20personal%20assistance%20resulting%20in%20long%20waiting%20periods.%0A%0AIn%20practice%2C%20substitute%20decision-making%20is%20still%20frequently%20used%2C%20despite%20new%20law%20regarding%20legal%20capacity.%0A%0A-%20See%20also%3A%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%20for%20Belgium%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators/be%29%A0%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Netherlands%0A%0ANetherlands%20has%20not%20ratified%20the%20CRPD%20Optional%20Protocol%2C%20which%20limits%20the%20government%u2019s%20accountability%20to%20disabled%20people%20organisations%20and%20individuals%20seeking%20justice.%0A%0AOther%20issues%20include%3A%0A-%20continued%20institutionalisation%20of%20adults%20and%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%0A-%20reports%20of%20violence%20and%20abuse%20in%20these%20institutions%2C%0A-%20inadequate%20responses%20to%20violence%20against%20women%20with%20disabilities%2C%20police%20abuses%20towards%20persons%20with%20disabilities%2C%0A-%20dual%20school%20systems%20which%20segregate%20children%20with%20disabilities%20from%20their%20non-disabled%20peers.%A0%0A%0A-%20See%20also%3A%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%20for%20Netherlands%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators/nl%29%A0%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Ukraine%0A%0AThe%20Committee%20addresses%20the%20ongoing%20Russian%20war%2C%20focusing%20on%20Article%2011%20of%20the%20CRPD%2C%20and%20the%20State%u2019s%20ability%20to%20provide%20humanitarian%20aid%2C%20protection%2C%20and%20safety%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities.%0A%0AConcerns%20include%3A%0A-%20lack%20of%20accessibility%20to%20basic%20services%2C%0A-%20lack%20of%20assistance%20for%20displaced%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20including%20children%2C%0A-%20institutionalisation%20of%20large%20number%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities.%0A%0AOrganisations%20representing%20Ukrainians%20with%20disabilities%20called%20for%20participation%20in%20security-related%20decision-making%2C%20such%20as%20evacuation%20plans%2C%20accessible%20emergency%20warnings%20etc.%A0%0A%0A-%20See%20also%3A%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%20for%20Ukraine%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators/ua%29%A0%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20What%20is%20the%20CRPD%3F%0A%0AUN%20CRPD%20is%20short%20for%20%u201Cthe%20United%20Nations%20Convention%0Aon%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%u201D.%0A%0AThe%20UN%20CRPD%20is%20an%20important%20text.%0AIt%20tries%20to%20make%20sure%20that%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20are%20respected.%0A%0A**%5BWatch%20easty-to-understand%20videos%20about%20the%20CRPD%20and%20the%20Committee.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/what-is-the-un-crpd-watch-our-new-easy-to-understand-video-to-find-out/%29**%0A%0AYou%20can%20also%20read%20%5Ba%20summary%20of%20the%20CRPD%20evaluation%20by%20EDF.%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/un-committee-evaluation-of-belarus-belgium-denmark-netherlands-and-ukraine/%29","Contribution of organisations representing people with intellectual disabilities to the CRPD Committee evaluation of Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, and Ukraine.","/concerns-about-disability-rights-raised-by-crpd-committee","2024-09-27T10:05:43.000Z","2024-09-27T10:20:40.000Z",{"idx":738,"title":739,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":10,"picture":740,"content_e2r":10,"content":743,"excerpt":744,"default_type":29,"url":745,"created_at":746,"modified_at":747,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},86,"Inclusion Europe members meeting: Working together for full rights and inclusion ",{"alt":741,"picture":742},"Group of participants posing and holding an Inclusion Europe flag.","https://str.inclusion.eu/d8bd236c8f37e02308d599f0c.JPG","%21%5BSmall%20group%20participants%20sitting%20around%20a%20table%20and%20discussing%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/d8bd236c8f37e02308d599f0e.JPG%29%0A%0A**Topics%20for%20future%20advocacy%20and%20research**%0A%20%0ACentral%20to%20the%20meeting%20was%20discussion%20about%20topics%20for%20Inclusion%20Europe%20advocacy%20and%20research%20in%20upcoming%20years.%20Some%20of%20the%20suggestions%20were%3A%20%20%0A-%20Good%20support%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%20%0A-%20Advocating%20for%20choice%2C%20and%20empowerment%20%0A-%20Better%20employment%20opportunities%2C%20and%20policies%20to%20
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Participants from 20 countries came to the meeting in Brussels.⯠","/members-meeting-2024","2024-09-30T15:48:06.000Z","2024-12-11T15:10:16.000Z",{"idx":749,"title":750,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":751,"picture":752,"content_e2r":10,"content":755,"excerpt":371,"default_type":29,"url":756,"created_at":757,"modified_at":758,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},87,"Europe for Us - Self-advocacy and EU disability rights updates ","europe for us,disability card,self-advocacy,easy to read",{"alt":753,"picture":754},"European disability card. 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","/disability-organisations-continue-advocating-for-deinstitutionalisation-in-ukraine","2024-10-08T16:21:38.000Z","2025-02-13T12:15:36.000Z",{"idx":792,"title":793,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":794,"picture":795,"content_e2r":10,"content":798,"excerpt":799,"default_type":29,"url":800,"created_at":801,"modified_at":802,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},91,"Together +: Towards efficient and sustainable transition in social care","deinstitutionalisation,TogetherPlus",{"alt":796,"picture":797},"Together towards efficient and sustainable transition in social care","https://str.inclusion.eu/e1bb212616cbf622b33d7be08.png","%23%23%23%20The%20issue%0A%0A**750%2C000%20people**%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%5Bare%20segregated%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-report-2023%253A-union-of-equality%253F-here%25E2%2580%2599s-the-reality.%29%20in%20large%20%22care%22%20institutions%20in%20Europe.%0A%0A%u201CPersons%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20with%20complex%20support%20needs%20most%20likely%20to%20live%20in%20institutions%u201D%2C%20finds%20a%20%5Breport%20about%20deinstitutionalisation%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/people-intellectual-disabilities-complex-needs-institutions-report/%29%20in%20the%20EU.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20we%20do%20about%20it%0A%0ATogether+%20project%20contributes%20to%20resolving%20these%20issues%20by%20creating%20a%20training%20programme%20focused%20on%20the%20management%20of%20transition%20from%20institutions%20to%20community-based%20support.%0A%0AIt%20builds%20on%20the%20work%20done%20in%20various%20countries%20in%20Europe%2C%20bringing%20in%20experiences%20from%20different%20NGOs%20and%20perspectives%20on%20the%20issue.%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Work%20done%20so%20far%20in%20the%20project%0A%0A**Country%20analysis**%0AOrganisations%20from%20Czechia%2C%20Lithuania%2C%20Romania%2C%20and%20Slovakia%20created%20analysis%20of%20their%20countries%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20deinstitutionalisation.%0A*%20%5BSummary%20of%20the%20analysis%20about%20deinstitutionalisation%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/much-more-needs-to-be-done-to-implement-deinstitutionalisation%29%0A%0A%0A**Guide%20for%20deinstitutionalisation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities**%0AThe%20document%20covers%20key%20steps%20in%20managing%20the%20transition%20from%20institutions%20to%20community-based%20support.%20There%20are%20also%20examples%20from%20various%20countries%2C%20and%20guidance%20for%20how%20to%20set%20up%20disability%20support%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20to%20live%20independently%20and%20to%20be%20included%20in%20the%20community.%0ADraft%20of%20the%20guide%20serves%20for%20training%20development.%20Final%20version%20will%20be%20updated%20after%20the%20pilot%20trainings.%0A%0A**Trainings**%0A%0ATraining%20for%20managing%20the%20transition%20from%20institutions%20to%20community-based%20support%20is%20develop%20by%20the%20organisations%20involved%20in%20the%20project.%0A%0A-%20Original%20round%20of%20trainings%20is%20underway%20during%20autumn%202024.%0A-%20Further%20trainings%20will%20be%20organised%20in%20Czechia%2C%20Lithuania%2C%20Romania%2C%20and%20Slovakia%20during%20first%20half%20of%202025.%0A%0AThe%20trainings%20are%20organised%20in%20a%20mixed%20format%2C%20partly%20in%20person%2C%20%5Bpartly%20online.%5D%28https%3A//inclusion.learnworlds.com/%29%0A%0A**Platform%20to%20develop%20expertise%20and%20collaboration**%0A%0AConnecting%20those%20who%20work%20on%20deinstitutionalisation%2C%20so%20they%20can%20exchange%20on%20their%20work%2C%20learn%20from%20one%20another%2C%20and%20improve%20deinstitutionalisation%20in%20their%20countries.%0A%0AThis%20work%20connects%20experts%20in%20different%20ways%3A%20Both%20during%20in-person%20meetings%2C%20online%20sessions%2C%20and%20also%20with%20a%20new%20online%20space%20which%20highlights%20%5Bexperience%20and%20case%20studies%20in%20deinstitutionalisation%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%5D%28https%3A//di-club.ghost.io/%29%0A%0A%21%5BTogether%20towards%20efficient%20and%20sustainable%20transition%20in%20social%20care%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/e1bb212616cbf622b33d7be09.png%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Technical%20information%20about%20the%20project%0A%0AProject%20title%3A%20Together%20towards%20efficient%20and%20sustainable%20transition%20in%20social%20care%0A%0AApplication%20Registration%20Number%3A%202022-1-CZ01-KA220-VET-000085587%0A%0ADate%20of%20implementation%3A%201%20November%202022%20-%2031%20October%202025%0A%0ABeneficiary%3A%20%5BCentrum%20podpory%20transformace%2C%5D%28https%3A//podporatransformace.cz/%29%20o.p.s.%2C%20Czechia%0A%0AProject%20partners%3A%0A%0A-%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A-%20%5BFundatia%20de%20Abilitare%20Speranta%20%2C%20Romania%5D%28https%3A//www.fund
80atia-speranta.ro/%29%0A-%20%5BRada%20pre%20poradenstvo%20v%20soci%E1lnej%20pr%E1ci%20%2C%20Slovakia%5D%28https%3A//www.rpsp.eu/%29%0A-%20%5BViltis%20%2C%20Lithuania%5D%28https%3A//viltis.lt/lt/%29%0A%0A%0A%0AThe%20project%20is%20co-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%0A%0A%0A%21%5BEU%20flag.%20Co-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/e1bb212616cbf622b33d7be03.png%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Resources%2C%20exchanges%2C%20collaborations%20to%20end%20segregation%0A%0AUseful%20documents%2C%20tools%2C%20and%20platforms%20on%20deinstitutionalisation.%0A%0A**Survivors%20of%20segregation%20in%20institutiions.**%0A%0A-%20%5BSurvivors%27%20stories.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/tag/survivors/%29%0A-%20Inclusion%20International%20%5Bsurvivors%27%20network%20for%20self-advocates.%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/news-item/inclusion-international-launches-global-survivor-network/%29%0A%0A**Inclusion%20Europe%20is%20member%20of%20the%20EEG**%20%28European%20Expert%20Group%20on%20transition%20from%20institutions%20to%20community-based%20support%29.%0A%0A-%20%5BEEG%20website%5D%28http%3A//deinstitutionalisation.com%29%20with%20events%20and%20trainings%20on%20deinstitutionalisation.%0A-%20%5BChecklist%20on%20use%20of%20EU%20funds%20for%20community-based%20support%5D%28https%3A//deinstitutionalisation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/updated-checklist-new-eeg-logo.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%0A-%20%5BReport%5D%28https%3A//deinstitutionalisation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/eeg-di-report-2020-1.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%20on%20the%20Transition%20from%20Institutional%20Care%20to%20Community-Based%20Services%20in%2027%20EU%20Member%20States%20%0A-%20%5BGuidelines%5D%28https%3A//deinstitutionalisation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/guidelines-final-english.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%20on%20transition%20from%20institutional%20to%20community-based%20care%20%28%5Bmore%20languages%5D%28https%3A//deinstitutionalisation.com/eeg-publications/%29%29%0A%0A**Inclusion%20Europe%20participates%20in%20Disability%20Platform%2C**%20organised%20by%20the%20European%20Commission.%0A%0A-%20We%20contribute%20to%20the%20work%20of%20the%20Platform%2C%20including%20on%20deinstitutionalisation.%0A-%20We%20contribute%20to%20the%20work%20of%20sub-group%20on%20independent%20living.%20The%20European%20Commission%20creates%20Guidance%20for%20member%20states%20on%20independent%20living%20and%20deinstitutionalisation.%0A%0A**Inclusion%20Europe%20is%20part%20of%20Deinstitutionalisation%20working%20group**%20organised%20by%20%5BInclusion%20International.%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/member-groups/%29%0A%0A-%20Members%20of%20the%20group%20share%20examples%20of%20deinstitutionalisation%20from%20around%20the%20world%2C%20and%20discuss%20specific%20issues.%0A%0A","Ending segregation of people with intellectual disabilities is the core of our work at Inclusion Europe. The Together+ project contributes to it by providing a training for those who close down âcare institutionsâ.","/together-plus-project","2024-10-09T15:57:50.000Z","2025-04-29T11:17:46.000Z",{"idx":804,"title":805,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":806,"picture":807,"content_e2r":10,"content":810,"excerpt":811,"default_type":29,"url":812,"created_at":813,"modified_at":814,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},92,"G7 Solfagnano Charter on disability inclusion","France, Germany,Italy,United Kingdom, European Union",{"alt":808,"picture":809},"G7 Italy logo, Jyrki Pinomaa accreditation, conference participants.","https://str.inclusion.eu/e1bb212616cbf622b33d7be0b.png","G7%20is%20a%20group%20made%20of%20countries%3A%20Canada%2C%20France%2C%20Germany%2C%20Italy%2C%20Japan%2C%20the%20United%20Kingdom%2C%20and%20the%20United%20States.%20The%20European%20Union%20also%20takes%20part%20in%20this%20group.%0A%0AThe%20Solfagnano%20Charter%20was%20adopted%20during%20a%20meeting%20in%20Italy.%20**Jyrki%20Pinomaa%2C**%20president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20attended%20the%20meeting%3A%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%22It%20was%20good%20to%20see%20the%20ministers%20and%20
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80other%20government%20representatives%20from%20so%20many%20countries%20so%20fully%20committed%20to%20pay%20extra%20attention%20to%20people%20with%20disabilties%20and%20their%20families.%20%0A%0AOf%20course%2C%20the%20strength%20of%20their%20commitment%20will%20be%20measured%20by%20the%20real%20changes%20for%20the%20better%20in%20the%20lives%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20It%20is%20most%20important%20now%20that%20the%20words%20are%20followed%20by%20actions.","G7 countries adopted the Solfagnano Charter on disability inclusion. It is the first time the G7 group adopted a document on disability rights. Jyrki Pinomaa attended the event, and shares his impressions.","/g7-solfagnano-charter-on-disability-inclusion","2024-10-16T17:52:32.000Z","2024-10-17T15:48:05.000Z",{"idx":816,"title":817,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":309,"picture":818,"content_e2r":10,"content":820,"excerpt":314,"default_type":29,"url":821,"created_at":822,"modified_at":823,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},93,"Include news October 2024: G7 Disability Charter and EU mental health commitments highlight push for disability rights in Europe",{"alt":132,"picture":819},"https://str.inclusion.eu/85ed4d167f8d92b2b91523603.png","%23%23%23%20EU%3A%20G7%20adopts%20Charter%20on%20disability%20inclusion%0AG7%20countries%20adopted%20the%20%5BSolfagnano%20Charter%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/g7-solfagnano-charter-on-disability-inclusion%29%20on%20disability%20inclusion.%20It%20is%20the%20first%20time%20the%20G7%20group%20adopts%20a%20document%20on%20disability%20rights.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Ireland%3A%20government%27s%20accession%20to%20the%20Optional%20Protocol%20of%20the%20UN%20CRPD%0AThe%20Irish%20Human%20Rights%20and%20Equality%20Commission%20%28IHREC%29%20published%20its%20%5Bsubmission%5D%28https%3A//www.ihrec.ie/commission-publishes-submission-to-un-human-rights-council/%29%20to%20the%20UN%20Human%20Rights%20Council%20recommending%20that%20Ireland%20%22proceeds%20with%20the%20immediate%20ratification%20of%20the%20optional%20protocol%20to%20the%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities.%22%0A%0A%23%23%23%20EU%3A%20European%20disability%20card%20and%20parking%20card%0AThe%20European%20Council%20has%20adopted%20%5Btwo%20new%20directives%5D%28https%3A//www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/10/14/european-disability-card-and-european-parking-card-for-persons-with-disabilities-council-adopts-new-directives/%29%20that%20will%20make%20it%20easier%20for%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20to%20travel%20within%20the%20EU.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20France%3A%203%2C940%20parents%20respond%20to%20survey%20about%20caring%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities%0A%5BThe%20Voix%20des%20Parents%20survey%5D%28https%3A//www.unapei.org/publication/etude-la-voix-des-parents-synthese/%29%20highlights%20that%2080%25%20of%20care%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities%20is%20provided%20by%20their%20families%2C%20however%2C%20they%20face%20major%20challenges%2C%20including%20mental%20health%20issues%2C%20%20due%20to%20the%20lack%20of%20support%2C%20fundings%20and%20empowerment.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Greece%3A%20self-advocacy%20meetings%20to%20improve%20political%20participation%0AMeetings%20in%20Athens%20and%20Thessaloniki%20brought%20together%20more%20that%2060%20participants%20%5Bto%20improve%20the%20political%20participation%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/self-advocacy-meetings-in-greece-to-improve-political-participation%29%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20EU%3A%20European%20organisations%20call%20for%20substantive%20actions%20for%20mental%20health%0AOn%20World%20Mental%20Health%20Day%202024%2C%2033%20European%20organisations%20%5Bcall%20for%5D%28https%3A//www.mentalhealtheurope.org/joint-statement-deliver-on-promises-and-honour-commitments-on-mental-health/%29%20substantive%20actions%20to%20shape%20a%20Europe%20where%20everyone%u2019s%20mental%20health%20thrives%20across%20their%20life%20course.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Updates%20from%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A-%20Inclusion%20Europe%20participates%20in%20creating%20a%20training%20for%20those%20responsible
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800failed%20to%u202Fprotect%20T.J.%u2019s%20right%20to%20life%3A%20%0A%0A-%20**Failure%20to%20Provide%20Adequate%20Care%3A**%20Hungary%20had%20not%20provided%20the%20necessary%20medical%20and%20therapeutic%20care%20to%20prevent%20T.J.%u2019s%20health%20from%20deteriorating.%20Despite%20her%20evident%u202Fvulnerability%2C%20T.J.%20was%20subjected%20to%20continuous%20physical%20restraints%2C%20often%20tied%20to%20her%20bed%2C%20and%20did%20not%20receive%20proper%20nutritional%20or%20medical%20support.%20The%20social%20care%20home%20was%u202Funderstaffed%2C%20and%20there%20was%u202Finadequate%20supervision%2C%20which%20led%20to%20poor%20overall%20care%20and%20increased%20risks%20to%20residents%u2019%20health.%20The%u202Fdomestic%20authorities%20were%20fully%20aware%20of%20the%20poor%20conditions%u202Fin%20the%20facility%2C%20as%20several%20reports%20from%20the%20Ministry%20of%20Human%20Resources%20and%20the%20Hungarian%20Commissioner%20for%20Fundamental%20Rights%20had%20highlighted%20the%u202Finhuman%20and%20degrading%20treatment%u202Fwithin%20the%20institution.%20%0A-%20**Failure%20to%20Prevent%20Death%3A**%20As%20a%20resident%20of%20a%20state-run%20institution%2C%20T.J.%20was%20under%20the%u202Fexclusive%20control%20of%20the%20State%2C%20which%20had%20a%20duty%20to%20ensure%20her%20safety%20and%20well-being.%20T.J.%u2019s%20vulnerability%20as%20a%20person%20with%20a%20severe%20intellectual%20disability%20made%20her%20dependent%20on%20the%20state%20for%20all%20aspects%20of%20her%20care.%20Despite%20clear%20signs%20of%20neglect%2C%20including%u202Fsevere%20malnourishment%u202Fand%20repeated%20injuries%2C%20the%20authorities%20failed%20to%20take%20any%20meaningful%20steps%20to%20protect%20her%20life.%20The%u202Flong-term%20neglect%u202FT.J.%20experienced%2C%20coupled%20with%20inadequate%20medical%20attention%2C%20led%20to%20her%20contracting%20pneumonia%20and%20ultimately%20resulted%20in%20her%20death.%20The%20Court%20found%20that%20the%20state%20had%20failed%20to%u202Fprevent%20the%20foreseeable%20risk%20to%20her%20life.%20%0A%0ARead%20%5Bmore%20about%20the%20decision%20here.%5D%28mailto%3Ahttps%3A//enil.eu/26974/%29%20%0A%0AT.J.%u2019s%20is%20far%20from%20being%20the%20only%20case%20of%20neglect%20and%20abuse%20in%20institutions.%20There%20are%20many%20publically%20documented%20cases%2C%20several%20ending%20in%20death.%20There%20will%20be%20many%20times%20more%20case%20we%20will%20never%20hear%20about.%20More%20than%20750%2C000%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%5Bare%20segregated%20in%20large%20%u201Ccare%u201D%20institutions.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-report-2023%253A-union-of-equality%253F-here%25E2%2580%2599s-the-reality.%29%20%20%0A%0A%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20New%20Zealand%20apology%20for%20abuse%20in%20institutions%20%0A%0ANew%20Zealand%27s%20Prime%20Minister%20Christopher%20Luxon%20has%20formally%20%5Bapologised%5D%28mailto%3Ahttps%3A//www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ympvmryrmo%29%20to%20victims%20of%20abuse%20in%20care%20homes%2C%20following%20an%20inquiry%20into%20one%20of%20the%20country%27s%20biggest%20abuse%20scandals.%20%0A%0AThe%20apology%2C%20delivered%20in%20parliament%2C%20comes%20after%20a%20report%20found%20that%20200%2C000%20children%20and%20adults%20had%20suffered%20abuse%20while%20in%20state%20and%20faith-based%20care%20between%201950%20and%202019.%20%0A%0A%u201CIt%20was%20horrific.%20It%20was%20heartbreaking.%20It%20was%20wrong.%20And%20it%20should%20never%20have%20happened%2C%u201D%20Luxon%20said.%20%u201CFor%20many%20of%20you%20it%20changed%20the%20course%20of%20your%20life%2C%20and%20for%20that%2C%20the%20government%20must%20take%20responsibility.%u201D%20%0A%0A","It has been a busy couple of weeks for news on deinstitutionalisation. Here's a quick summary from Milan Å veÅepa:","/deinstitutionalisation-news-reports","2024-11-21T11:36:10.000Z","2024-12-11T11:54:55.000Z",{"idx":849,"title":850,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":851,"picture":852,"content_e2r":10,"content":855,"excerpt":856,"default_type":29,"url":857,"created_at":858,"modified_at":859,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},96,"\"Inclusion was only possible because I, the organisation, and the community work together\" - Alzira Fernandes speaks at EDPD","Portugal, European Commission,independent living,deinstitutionalisation,survivors",{"alt":853,"picture":854}
80,"Alzira Fernandes speaks at the EDPD in Brussels","https://str.inclusion.eu/03dc3ad13870d72e719eff401.jpg","Thank%20you%20for%20inviting%20me%20to%20be%20here%20today%20to%20talk%20about%20inclusion%20and%20independent%20living.%20%0A%0AMy%20name%20is%20Alzira%20Fernandes%2C%20I%20am%2046%20years%20old%2C%20and%20I%20live%20in%20Fafe%2C%20Portugal.%20%0A%0AI%20am%20a%20person%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20severe%20vision%20problems.%20%0A%0AI%20work%20at%20the%20laundry%20of%20CERCIFAF%2C%20and%20I%20live%20on%20my%20own.%20But%20it%20hasn%u2019t%20always%20been%20like%20this.%0A%0A%21%5BAlzira%20Fernandes%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/03dc3ad13870d72e719eff402.JPG%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Growing%20up%2C%20and%20education%0A%0AI%20started%20my%20life%20much%20like%20many%20of%20you%2C%20living%20with%20my%20family.%20%0A%0AI%20attended%20special%20education%20until%20the%206th%20grade.%20%0A%0AI%20began%20receiving%20support%20from%20CERCIFAF%20at%20the%20age%20of%2015%2C%20when%20I%20left%20school.%20%0A%0ACERCIFAF%20is%20an%20organisation%20that%20supports%20people%20with%20disabilities%20and%20impairments%20in%20Fafe%2C%20where%20I%20live.%20%0A%0AIt%20was%20at%20CERCIFAF%20that%20I%20completed%20my%20professional%20training.%20I%20took%20a%20course%20in%20Hospitality.%20%0A%0AWhen%20I%20finished%20the%20course%2C%20I%20was%20hired%20by%20CERCIFAF%20under%20supported%20employment.%20I%20have%20been%20working%20in%20the%20laundry%20since%201999.%20%0A%0AFor%20reasons%20that%20don%u2019t%20need%20to%20be%20discussed%20here%2C%20I%20ended%20up%20being%20separated%20from%20my%20family.%20%0A%0AWe%20are%20three%20siblings.%20%0A%0AI%20have%20been%20without%20parents%20for%20many%20years%20now.%20%0A%0AIn%202000%2C%20with%20the%20support%20of%20Social%20Security%2C%20I%20went%20to%20live%20with%20one%20of%20my%20brothers%20in%20a%20foster%20family.%20%0A%0AWe%20stayed%20with%20them%20for%20six%20months.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20In%20residential%20care%0A%0AAfter%20that%2C%20we%20both%20moved%20to%20the%20residential%20care%20home%20of%20CERCIFAF.%20%0A%0AI%20lived%20in%20the%20home%20for%20almost%2011%20years.%20%0A%0ABut%20what%20I%20really%20wanted%20was%20to%20have%20my%20own%20house.%20%0A%0AThe%20organisation%20listened%20to%20me.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Moving%20into%20my%20own%20home%0A%0AWe%20tried%20to%20figure%20out%20what%20needed%20to%20happen%20so%20I%20could%20live%20on%20my%20own.%20%0A%0AIn%202012%2C%20I%20had%20a%20trial%20stay%20with%20a%20friends%20family%20to%20better%20understand%20the%20support%20I%20needed%20to%20live%20independently.%20%0A%0AThis%20also%20gave%20me%20time%20to%20find%20a%20house%20to%20live%20in.%20%0A%0AIn%202014%2C%20with%20the%20help%20of%20CERCIFAF%2C%20I%20managed%20to%20get%20my%20own%20house.%20%0A%0AThis%20is%20where%20I%20live%20now%2C%20alone.%20But%20I%20am%20not%20lonely.%20%0A%0AI%20have%20a%20community%20that%20supports%20me.%20%0A%0ALife%20in%20the%20care%20home%20wasn%u2019t%20bad%3B%20I%20was%20happy.%20%0A%0ABut%20it%20wasn%u2019t%20what%20I%20wanted%2C%20and%20it%u2019s%20not%20the%20same%20as%20living%20in%20my%20own%20home.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20matters%20to%20me%0A%0AFeeling%20that%20I%20am%20the%20one%20in%20control%20of%20my%20life.%20%0A%0AThat%20I%20can%20make%20decisions.%20%0A%0AThat%20I%20have%20my%20own%20space.%20%0A%0AI%20manage%20my%20money%2C%20clean%20my%20house%2C%20shop%20for%20groceries%u2014all%20of%20that.%20%0A%0AI%20just%20don%u2019t%20cook%20because%20I%u2019m%20afraid%20of%20having%20an%20accident%20due%20to%20my%20poor%20vision.%20%0A%0AHowever%2C%20I%20solved%20that%20problem%20by%20ordering%20meals%20from%20a%20restaurant%20next%20to%20my%20house.%20%0A%0AThere%2C%20I%20found%20new%20friends%20who%20support%20me%20whenever%20I%20need%20it.%20%0A%0AI%20also%20have%20neighbours%2C%20and%20we%20all%20get%20along%20well.%20%0A%0ABut%20I%20try%20not%20to%20over-rely%20on%20them%20and%20solve%20my%20problems%20on%20my%20own.%20%0A%0ALike%20most%20of%20you%2C%20right%3F%20%0A%0A%21%5BAlzira%20Fernandes%20speaks%20at%20the%20EDPD%20in%20Brussels%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/03dc3ad13870d72e719eff403.jpg%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Inclusion%20is%20important%20for%20everyone%0A%0AWhat%20I%20wanted%20to%20share%20with%20you%20today%20is%20this%3A%20%0A%0A**Independent%20living%20and%20community%20inclusion%20are%20important%20for%20everyone.**%0A%0AEven%20when%20we%20are%20treated%20well%20in%20institutions%2C%20that%20is%20not%20our%20home.%20%0A%0AAnd%20if%20people%20want%20to%20live%20in%20their%20own%20homes%2C%20they%20should%20be%20able%20to.%20%0A%0AOrganisations%20can%20help%20us%20make%20this%20change.%20%0A%0AThey%20can%20prepare%20us%20to%20manage%20our%20lives%20and%20prepare%20the%20community%20to%20welcome%20us.%20%0A%0AThey%20can%20also%20be%20there%20if%20we%20need%20guidance%20or%20help.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Working%20together%20%0A%0AMy%20inclusion%20was%20only%20possible
80%20because%20I%2C%20the%20organisation%2C%20and%20the%20community%20worked%20together.%20%0A%0AFortunately%2C%20I%20work%20and%20can%20support%20myself.%20%0A%0AIf%20I%20didn%u2019t%20work%2C%20the%20state%20support%20wouldn%u2019t%20be%20enough%20to%20have%20the%20life%20I%20live.%20%0A%0AI%20have%20been%20supported%20by%20CERCIFAF%20for%2031%20years.%20%0A%0AWithout%20their%20support%2C%20I%20wouldn%u2019t%20be%20here%20today.%20%0A%0ABut%20what%20I%20believe%20made%20the%20difference%20was%20that%20they%20listened%20to%20me%20when%20I%20expressed%20what%20I%20wanted%20for%20my%20life.%20%0A%0AThey%20worked%20with%20me%20so%20I%20could%20live%20in%20my%20own%20house%2C%20independently%20and%20included%20in%20the%20community.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Everyone%20should%20have%20good%20support%20and%20opportunities%0A%0AI%20just%20wish%20all%20people%20with%20disabilities%20had%20the%20same%20support%20and%20opportunities.%20%0A%0AThat%20all%20service%20providers%20listen%20to%20people%20and%20support%20them%20the%20way%20CERCIFAF%20supported%20me.%20%0A%0A**So%20that%20everyone%20can%20live%20independently%20and%20be%20included.**%0A%0A%0A%21%5BAlzira%20Fernandes%20speaks%20at%20the%20EDPD%20in%20Brussels%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/03dc3ad13870d72e719eff404.jpg%29%0A%0A%0AThank%20you%20for%20having%20me%20here%20today%21%20%0A%0AAnd%20don%u2019t%20give%20up%20until%20you%u2019re%20heard%21%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Read%20more%3A%0A%0A-%20%5BEuropean%20Day%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%202024%5D%28https%3A//ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp%3FlangId%3Den%26catId%3D88%26eventsId%3D2183%26furtherEvents%3Dyes%29%0A-%20%5BSelf-advocacy%20manifesto%3A%20Make%20it%20real%21%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/make-it-real-manifesto-from-hear-our-voices%21-conference%3Fe2r%3D1%29%0A-%20%5BIndependent%20living%20and%20inclusion%20in%20community%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29%0A-%20%5BPortugal%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators/pt%29%20in%20Inclusion%20indicators","Alzira Fernandes spoke at the European Day of Persons with Disabilities (EDPD), a conference organised by the European Commission and the European Disability Forum.\nThe conference takes place on 28 November 2024 in Brussels.\nAlzira Fernandes represented Inclusion Europe at the conference.","/%22inclusion-was-only-possible-because-i-the-organisation-and-the-community-work-together%22---alzira-fernandes-speaks-at-edpd","2024-11-28T10:10:19.000Z","2024-11-28T14:20:24.000Z",{"idx":861,"title":862,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":863,"picture":864,"content_e2r":10,"content":867,"excerpt":868,"default_type":29,"url":869,"created_at":870,"modified_at":871,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},97,"Mateja de Reya elected as vice-president of Inclusion Europe","Inclusion Europe, Mateja de Reya,Slovenia",{"alt":865,"picture":866},"Inclusion Europe board members","https://str.inclusion.eu/817cb7c0234797497c63e4c08.jpg","Mateja%20de%20Reya%20was%20elected%20as%20vice-president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20for%20the%20next%202%20years.%0AMateja%20was%20elected%20during%20a%20Board%20meeting%20on%2026%20-%2027%20November%202024.%0A%0AMateja%20de%20Reya%20is%20from%20Slovenia.%0AMateja%20is%20a%20sister%20to%20a%20person%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0AMateja%20works%20as%20director%20of%20Zveza%20So%u017Eitje%2C%20member%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0AMateja%20has%20been%20member%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20board%20for%20many%20years.%0A%0A%21%5BMateja%20de%20Reya%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f16.jpg%29%0A%0A%22I%20am%20looking%20forward%20to%20continuing%20our%20important%20work%20advocating%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%2C%22%20Mateja%20said.%0A%0AMateja%20replaces%20previous%20vice-president%20Theresa%20Shearer.%0ATheresa%20Shearer%20resigned%20from%20the%20Board%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%0A%22I%20want%20to%20thank%20Theresa%20for%20all%20her%20work%20as%20board%20member%20and%20vice-president%2C%22%20said%20Jyrki%20Pinomaa%2C%20president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%22Theresa%20has%20helped%20us%20with%20many%20things%2C%20including%20on%20strategy%20and%20development%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%22During%20her%20term%20at%20our%20board%2C%20Enable%20hosted%20great%20Europe%20in%20Action%20conference%2C%20too.%22%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Also%20on%20the%20agenda%20of%20the%20Board%0A%0A-%20Learning%20about%20situation%20in%20Albania%2C%20Bulgaria%2C%20Hungary%2C%20Romania%2C%20and%20Slovakia.%20%0AMember%20organisations%20from%20these%20countries%20work%20on%20improving%20self-advocacy%2C%20and%20%5Bpromoting%20deinstitutionalisation.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/deinstitutionalisation-news-reports%29%0A%0A-%20Preparing%20Inclusion%20Europe%20events%20for%20the%20next%202%20years%2C%20such%20as%20members%20meeting%20and%20general%20assembly%20%284%20June%202025%20in%20Berlin%29%2C%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%20self-advocacy%20conference%2C%20or%20Europe%20in%20Action%20conference%202026.%0A%0A-%20Discussing%20Inclusion%20Europe%20work%20at%20European%20level.%0AFor%20example%20the%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%5D%28https%3A//inclusion.eu/indicators%29%202024%20report.%0A%0A-%20Debating%20how%20to%20
80advocate%20for%20more%20action%20to%20end%20segregation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20institutions.%0AFor%20example%20with%20platforms%20to%20debate%20and%20learn%20from%20existing%20work%2C%20or%20trainings%20on%20this%20subject%20as%20those%20done%20as%20part%20of%20%5BTogether+%20project.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/together-plus-project%29%0AThe%20board%20learned%20about%20the%20progress%20on%20other%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20projects%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/projects%29%20too.","The Board of Inclusion Europe elected Mateja de Reya as vice-president of the organisation.","/mateja-de-reya-elected-as-vice-president-of-inclusion-europe","2024-11-28T10:44:24.000Z","2025-03-11T12:19:54.000Z",{"idx":873,"title":874,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":875,"picture":876,"content_e2r":10,"content":877,"excerpt":878,"default_type":29,"url":879,"created_at":880,"modified_at":881,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},98,"Organisations welcome draft Recommendation on respect for autonomy in mental healthcare","Oviedo convention, Council of Europe, mental health, legal capacity, health care",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"The%20Council%20of%20Europe%u2019s%20Steering%20Committee%20for%20Human%20Rights%20in%20the%20fields%20of%20Biomedicine%20and%20Health%20%28CDBIO%29%20approved%20a%20new%20document%20to%20promote%20autonomy%20and%20human%20dignity%20in%20mental%20health%20services.%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%2C%20alongslide%20other%20%5Borganisations%2C%20welcomes%20this%20document%3A%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/publications/joint-position-on-approval-of-the-draft-recommendation-on-respect-for-autonomy-in-mental-healthcare-cdbio-meeting-of-26th-of-november-2024/%29%0A%0A%22The%20Recommendation%20is%20a%20necessary%20step%20in%20a%20new%20direction%20that%20will%20help%20to%20reform%20European%20mental%20health%20systems%20and%20prevent%20stigma%2C%20discrimination%20and%20coercion%20in%20services.%20%0A%0A%22It%20fosters%20coherence%20with%20other%20Council%20of%20Europe%20bodies%20in%20their%20calls%20for%20greater%20alignment%20with%20the%20United%20Nations%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28CRPD%29.%0A%0A%22While%20the%20Recommendation%20is%20not%20fully%20aligned%20with%20the%20CRPD%2C%20we%20applaud%20the%20clear%20references%20to%20human%20rights%20standards%20and%20good%20practices%20in%20promoting%20respect%20for%20autonomy%20in%20mental%20healthcare%2C%20such%20as%20the%20WHO%20QualityRights%20Initiative%2C%20as%20well%20as%20the%20use%20of%20rights-based%20language%20to%20ensure%20strong%20protections.%22%0A%0AWe%20therefore%20urge%20the%20Committee%20of%20Ministers%20to%20adopt%20the%20Recommendation%20and%20%5Babandon%20all%20future%20work%20on%20the%20draft%20Additional%20Protocol.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/tag/oviedo-convention/%29","We warmly welcome CDBIOâs approval of the new draft Recommendation on respect for autonomy in mental healthcare.","/organisations-draft-recommendation-on-respect-for-autonomy-in-mental-healthcare","2024-11-28T12:17:05.000Z","2024-11-28T12:17:47.000Z",{"idx":883,"title":884,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":885,"picture":886,"content_e2r":10,"content":888,"excerpt":889,"default_type":29,"url":890,"created_at":891,"modified_at":892,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},99,"Inclusion Indicators 2024: Key findings","Inclusion indicators",{"alt":132,"picture":887},"https://str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e709.jpg","New%20report%20shows%20what%20Europe%20looks%20like%20in%20terms%20of%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20for%2020%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20family%20members.%20The%20report%20was%20launched%20at%20an%20%5Bevent%20organised%20by%20the%20European%20Parliament.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-event%29%0A%0ARead%20the%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%202024%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca9050b.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%20report.%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Key%20findings%u202F%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Not%20being%20allowed%20to%20decide%20about%20ones%u2019%20life%20%0A%0A%21%5BMap%20of%20Europe%3A%20right%20to%20decide%20and%20vote%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca90504.png%29%0A%0A%0A-%20In%2011%20countries%20legal%20capacity%20can%20be%20fully%20removed%20
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80ype":29,"url":925,"created_at":926,"modified_at":927,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},102,"\"International cooperation and humanitarian aid need to focus on issues important to us\"","Global Disability Summit, humanitarian aid, international development,Inclusion International,Soufiane El Amrani,self-advocacy",{"alt":921,"picture":922},"European Regional Disability Summit, 6 December 2024, Berlin","https://str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f15.jpg","*Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%20spoke%20at%20the%20European%20Regional%20Disability%20Summit%2C%20organised%20in%20Berlin%20on%206%20December%202024.*%0A%0A%21%5BSoufiane%20El%20Amrani%20on%20stage%20at%20the%20European%20Regional%20Disability%20Summit%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f13.jpeg%29%0A%0A*Soufiane%20was%20asked%203%20questions%20during%20his%20panel.%20This%20is%20what%20he%20said%3A*%0A%0A**Inclusion%20Europe%20participated%20in%20our%20consultation%20meetings%20this%20spring%2C%20with%20the%20different%20Organizations%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities.**%0A**Why%20is%20it%20important%20for%20self-advocates%20to%20be%20involved%20in%20these%20discussions%3F**%0A%0ABecause%20our%20voices%20need%20to%20be%20heard%2C%20and%20we%20should%20not%20be%20left%20out%20of%20important%20meetings.%0A%0AWe%20need%20to%20be%20able%20to%20share%20our%20views%20and%20expectations.%0ABeing%20in%20the%20room%20also%20means%20people%20can%20share%20their%20experiences%20and%20what%20their%20organisations%20are%20working%20on.%0A%0ABeing%20in%20these%20meetings%20means%20we%20can%20learn%20from%20others.%0A%0AThat%20is%20why%20these%20discussions%20need%20to%20be%20accessible%20%0Aand%20have%20easy-to-read%20information.%0APeople%20need%20to%20speak%20slowly%2C%20and%20if%20they%20have%20to%20use%20difficult%20words%20they%20should%20explain%20them.%0A%0A%0AIt%20is%20often%20the%20case%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20and%20their%20families%2C%20are%20excluded%20from%20meetings%20where%20decisions%20on%20important%20topics%20are%20made.%0ADecision%20on%20topics%20that%20directly%20impact%20their%20lives.%0A%0AWhen%20we%20are%20not%20in%20the%20room%2C%20it%20makes%20it%20easy%20for%20decision-makers%20to%20overlook%20us%2C%20to%20ignore%20what%20we%20have%20to%20say%20and%20what%20we%20expect.%0A%0A%5BA%20report%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/resource/excluded-from-the-excluded-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-in-and-out-of-official-development-assistance/%29%20by%20Inclusion%20International%20showed%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20excluded%20from%20nearly%20all%20projects%20funded%20by%20official%20development%20assistance.%0A%0A-%20Basically%20zero%20official%20development%20assistance%20between%202014%20and%202018%20included%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A-%20One%20third%20of%20it%20was%20not%20CRPD-compliant%2C%20contributing%20to%20segregation%20and%20other%20human%20rights%20violations.%20%0A-%20Only%202%25%20of%20aid%20relevant%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20was%20delivered%20through%20organisations%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities.%20%0A%0A**What%20are%20Inclusion%20Europe%u2019s%20recommendations%20on%20international%20cooperation%20and%20humanitarian%20action%3F**%20%0A%0AMost%20importantly%2C%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20need%20to%20be%20part%20of%20the%20discussions%20where%20decisions%20are%20made.%20%0AThis%20means%20also%20having%20money%20available%20to%20support%20participation%20of%20self-advocacy%20organisations%20and%20groups.%0A%0AInternational%20cooperation%20and%20humanitarian%20aid%20need%20to%20specifically%20focus%20on%20issues%20important%20to%20us%2C%20for%20example%3A%0A-%20supporting%20people%20to%20make%20decisions%2C%20%0A-%20better%20access%20to%20education%2C%0A-%20good%20support.%0A%0AInclusion%20International%20asked%20their%20members%20from%20around%20the%20world%20about%20this.%20They%20said%3A%0A-%20Humanitarian%20organisations%20should%20work%20better%20with%20organisations%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A-%20Humanitarian%20organisations%20need%20
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","/%22international-cooperation-and-humanitarian-aid-need-to-focus-on-issues-important-to-us%22","2024-12-09T16:47:16.000Z","2025-04-08T10:18:22.000Z",{"idx":929,"title":930,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":457,"picture":931,"content_e2r":10,"content":934,"excerpt":935,"default_type":29,"url":936,"created_at":937,"modified_at":938,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},103,"Europe for Us - Guide for self-advocates and journalists in disability rights advocacy ",{"alt":932,"picture":933},"Group of self-advocates from Inclusion Ireland","https://str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f17.jpeg","**Contents%20of%20the%20latest%20issue%3A**%0A1.%20Editor%u2019s%20note%3A%20Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%20-%20How%20self-advocacy%20helps%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0A2.%20What%20is%20self-advocacy%3F%0A3.%20Importance%20of%20self-advocacy%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0A4.%20Self-advocacy%20at%20Inclusion%20Ireland%0A5.%20Code%20of%20practice%20for%20self-advocates%20being%20interviewed%0A6.%20Code%20of%20practice%20for%20journalists%20and%20people%20working%20in%20the%20media%0A%0ALanguage%20versions%3A%20%5BEnglish%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f1e.pdf%29%20-%20%5BNederlands%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f23.pdf%29%20-%20%5BFran%E7ais%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f1f.pdf%29%20-%20%5BDeutsch%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f1c.pdf%29%20-%20%5BEspa%F1ol%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f1d.pdf%29%20-%20%5BRom%E2n%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f22.pdf%29%20-%20%5BMagyar%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f20.pdf%29%20-%20%5BItaliano%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f21.pdf%29%20-%20%5B%u0443%u043A%u0440%u0430%u0457%u043D%u0441%u044C%u043A%u0430%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f24.pdf%29%0A%0ASubscribe%20to%20our%20%5Bmailing%20list%5D%28https%3A//e34b73c4.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFACxokgTbhuJCuLfAc2Ifim0DgELA4WZiFONtpBoE4S0ec508gn0-InlSjqcNtJ60bcnzL6g4NJCdADATuGTFAzAa_NHSaI6NeuYHsvfX66u4tPlKpl64o7Qx41IY1u3RKOuUD1Asg1dmHbNqZQ3GSLReo-j00e9wswdEtqO1GS8H1TTfFyOIsCt4mfbeWdglJD0kVCynxGf9%29%20to%20receive%20Europe%20for%20us%20magazine%20in%20your%20email.%0A%0A**%5BPrevious%20issues%20
80of%20Europe%20for%20us.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-magazine%29**","Europe for Us is an easy-to-read magazine. It is published four times per year in English, French, German, Spanish, Romanian, Hungarian, Dutch, Ukrainian and Italian.","/self-advocacy-guide-europe-for-us","2024-12-11T14:09:30.000Z","2025-12-18T14:32:27.000Z",{"idx":940,"title":941,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":942,"picture":943,"content_e2r":10,"content":946,"excerpt":947,"default_type":29,"url":948,"created_at":949,"modified_at":950,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},104,"Letter to members","Inclusion Europe,Jyrki Pinomaa ",{"alt":944,"picture":945},"Jyrki Pinomaa, president of Inclusion Europe","https://str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f19.jpg","Dear%20members.%0A%0AEurope%20still%20has%20a%20long%20way%20to%20go%20to%20become%20inclusive.%0A%0AThis%20is%20the%20conclusion%20that%20one%20unfortunately%20has%20to%20come%20to%2C%20following%20the%20publication%20of%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%202024.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2024-key-findings%29%20The%20report%20was%20launched%20at%20a%20%5Bhigh-level%20conference%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%2C%20%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators-report-2024-launch-event-EP%29%20organised%20by%20High%20Level%20Group%20on%20Gender%20Equality%20and%20Diversity.%0A%0AThe%20event%20was%20opened%20by%20the%20**European%20Commissioner%20Hadja%20Lahbib%2C**%20and%20by%20the%20**European%20Parliament%20vice-president%20Younous%20Omarjee.**%0A%0AYounous%20Omarjee%20said%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20are%20all%20too%20often%20victims%20of%20segregation%2C%20deprived%20of%20their%20basic%20rights.%20He%20also%20said%20that%20much%20remains%20to%20be%20done%20to%20allow%20everyone%20to%20participate%20in%20our%20societies.%20His%20promise%20was%20that%20the%20European%20Parliament%20stands%20by%20us.%0A%0A%21%5BEuropean%20Commissioner%20Hadja%20Lahbib%20and%20European%20Parliament%20vice-president%20Younous%20Omarjee%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f1a.jpg%29%0A%0AI%20want%20to%20thank%20you%20all%20who%20have%20contributed%20to%20this%20report.%20**It%20is%20a%20strong%20tool%2C%20and%20it%20is%20made%20to%20be%20used.**%20So%20please%2C%20use%20it.%20%0A%0AOrganise%20your%20own%20high-level%20conferences%20and%20show%20your%20politicians%20%5Bthe%20scores%20of%20your%20countries.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20Use%20this%20report%20to%20show%20them%20what%20needs%20to%20be%20done.%20Tell%20them%20that%20inclusion%20is%20the%20right%20thing%20to%20do.%20It%20is%20a%20human%20right.%0A%0AAnother%20year%20comes%20to%20its%20end.%20Another%20year%20with%20many%20great%20activities%20and%20events%20highlighting%20the%20need%20of%20full%20inclusion%20of%20European%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20%0A%0AVisiting%20and%20meeting%20with%20many%20of%20our%20members%20this%20year%2C%20I%20have%20been%20introduced%20to%20your%20work%20and%20its%20results%2C%20and%20have%20been%20impressed%20by%20the%20skills%20and%20talents%20of%20many%20self-advocates.%20So%20many%20inmemorable%20moments%20and%20experiences.%20Thank%20you%21%20%0A%0AThis%20was%20also%20the%20year%20of%20our%20**Europe%20in%20Action%20conference%2C**%20hosted%20by%20our%20Scottish%20member%20Enable.%20%0A%0AThe%20conference%20gathered%20more%20than%20four%20hundred%20of%20us%20in%20Glasgow%20in%20May%2C%20also%20to%20join%20the%20celebration%20of%20Enable%u2019s%2070th%20anniversary.%20A%20big%20thank%20you%20to%20the%20Enable%20team%20for%20the%20most%20succesful%20conference%21%0A%0A%0A%21%5BEurope%20in%20Action%20conference%20in%20Glasgow%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f1b.JPG%29%0A%0AI%20wish%20to%20express%20my%20gratitude%20to%20all%20of%20you%2C%20our%20loyal%20members%2C%20who%20have%20supported%20our%20work.%20It%20not%20only%20shows%20your%20support%20and%20dedication%2C%20it%20gives%20us%20the%20necessary%20resources%20and%20security%20to%20continue%20our%20work.%0A%0AI%20also%20want%20to%20thank%20our%20partners%20and%20funders%20-%20your%20support%20makes%20our%20work%20possible.%0A%0AThank%20you%2C%20as%20
80always%2C%20to%20our%20Secretariat.%20Your%20hard%20work%20is%20highly%20appreciated.%20%0A%0AThank%20you%20also%20to%20the%20Board%20of%20Incusion%20Europe.%20For%20me%20personally%20it%20means%20a%20lot%20that%20we%20have%20come%20back%20to%20in-person%20meetings.%20They%20give%20us%20much%20more%20space%20to%20real%20interraction%20and%20deep%20discussions.%20%0A%0AI%20am%20looking%20forward%20to%20working%20together%20with%20you%20all%20again%20next%20year.%0A%0AI%20wish%20to%20you%20all%20a%20succesful%20new%20year%202025%21%0A%0A**Jyrki%20Pinomaa%2C**%20president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A%0A%21%5BJyrki%20Pinomaa%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f18.jpg%29%0A%0A%0A","Jyrki Pinomaa, president of Inclusion Europe, writes his annual end-of-year letter to our members:","/letter-to-members","2024-12-11T14:49:12.000Z","2024-12-11T16:15:07.000Z",{"idx":952,"title":953,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":954,"picture":955,"content_e2r":10,"content":957,"excerpt":958,"default_type":29,"url":959,"created_at":960,"modified_at":961,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},105,"Housing for people with intellectual disabilities: Issues, ideas, practices","housing,support services,independent living",{"alt":132,"picture":956},"https://str.inclusion.eu/1d16ac67573de98fa7ee9d201.jpg","**Housing%20means%20to%20have%20shelter%20and%20to%20have%20a%20home%20of%20your%20own.**%0A**It%20is%20more%20than%20a%20roof%20over%20your%20head.**%0A**It%20is%20having%20a%20place%20to%20live%20that%20feels%20like%20home%20because%20you%20can%20be%20who%20you%20are%20and%20live%20the%20way%20you%20see%20fit.**%0A**It%20is%20the%20foundation%20of%20personal%20freedom.**%0A**It%20gives%20people%20a%20safe%20space%20from%20which%20they%20can%20go%20into%20the%20world%2C%20and%20to%20which%20they%20can%20return.**%0A**It%u2019s%20the%20foundation%20of%20independent%20life%20and%20inclusion%20in%20the%20community.**%0A%0ARead%20the%20report%20in%20full%3A%0A%0A-%20**%5BHousing%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f2a.pdf%29**%20%28.pdf%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Report%20on%20housing%0A%0AIn%20Europe%2C%20%5Bvery%20few%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2024-key-findings%29%20adults%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20live%20in%20their%20own%20place.%0A%0AFor%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20making%20use%20of%20their%20right%20to%20adequate%20housing%20can%20be%20very%20hard%20and%2C%20in%20some%20cases%2C%20impossible.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Issues%20in%20access%20to%20housing%0A%0AOur%20report%20looks%20into%20some%20issues%20affecting%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%27%20access%20to%20housing%3A%0A%0A-%20Segregation%0A-%20Deprivation%20of%20legal%20capacity%20and%20lack%20of%20supported%20decision%20making%09%0A-%20Financial%20challenges%0A-%20Family%20responsibilities%20beyond%20the%20norm%0A-%20Housing%20exclusion%0A-%20Urban%20planning%0A-%20Registration%20and%20administrative%20aspects%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Examples%0A%0AThe%20report%20offers%20some%20examples%20from%20different%20countries%20solving%20problems%20in%20access%20to%20housing%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%3A%0A%0A-%20Peer%20housing%20or%20supported%20housing%0A-%20Financial%20support%0A-%20Partnership%20with%20social%20housing%20and%20private%20landlords%0A-%20Separating%20housing%20services%20and%20support%0A-%20Social%20housing%0A-%20Public%20developers%20of%20housing%0A-%20Supported-decision%20making%0A-%20Accessible%20information%20on%20housing%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Recommendations%0A%0ATo%20counter%20the%20barriers%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20in%20access%20to%20housing%3A%0A%0A-%20Count%20everyone%0A-%20Registration%20for%20%28social%29%20housing%0A-%20Build%20new%20homes%0A-%20Provide%20realistic%20budgets%20for%20housing%20and%20support%0A-%20Minimum%20accessibility%20requirements%20for%20current%20and%20future%20housing%0A-%20%28Peer%29%20supported%20housing%0A-%20Make%20information%20accessible%20to%20all%0A%0A**Read%20the%20report%20in%20full%3A**%0A%0A-%20**%5BHousing%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f2a.pdf%29**%20%28.pdf%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%20%22People%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20have%20the%20right%20to%20housing%2C%20%20just%20like%20everyone%20else.%20I%20want%20to%20live%20in%20a%20world%20where%20these%20rights%20are%20respected.%22%0ASoufiane%20El%20Amrani%2C%20self-advocate%2C%20Accessibility%20expert%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A%0A%0A%0ARead%20also%3A%0A%0A-%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%0A-%20%5BLiving%20independently%20and%20being%20included%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29","Inclusion Europe report on issues people with intellectual disabilities face in access to housing, and on ideas and practices to overcome these issues.","/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-issues-ideas-practices","2024-12-16T14:12:24.000Z","2025-12-01T17:55:36.000Z",{"idx":963,"t
80itle":964,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":965,"picture":966,"content_e2r":10,"content":969,"excerpt":970,"default_type":29,"url":971,"created_at":972,"modified_at":973,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},106,"\"It seems that deinstitutionalisation has become an exercise in wordsmithing.\"","deinstitutionalisation,independent living,Milan Å veÅepa,European Parliament",{"alt":967,"picture":968},"Milan Sverepa speaking during the workshop","https://str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f2f.png","The%20workshop%2C%20chaired%20by%20Li%20Andersson%20MEP%2C%20took%20place%20on%202%20December%202024%20in%20Brussels.%0A%0AThis%20is%20what%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%20said%3A%0A%0AThank%20you%20for%20the%20opportunity%20to%20speak%20on%20behalf%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20on%20this%20panel%20of%20stakeholders%20of%20deinstitutionalisation.%0A%0AHaving%20said%20that%2C%20I%20think%20it%27s%20important%20to%20say%20that%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20deinstitutionalisation%2C%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20don%27t%20just%20hold%20a%20stake.%20They%20hold%20the%20short%20end%20of%20a%20straw.%0A%0A%5BReports%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2024-key-findings%29%20show%20there%20are%20hundreds%20of%20thousands%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20institutions.%0A%0A%5BReports%20also%20show%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/eeg-di-report-2020-1.pdf%29%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20specifically%20those%20with%20complex%20support%20needs%2C%20tend%20to%20be%20overlooked%20in%20deinstitutionalisation.%20They%20are%20least%20likely%20to%20benefit%20from%20anything%20that%20is%20being%20done%20to%20deinstitutionalise%20disabled%20people%20in%20Europe.%0A%0AAnd%20let%27s%20not%20forget%20what%20we%20were%20reminded%20by%20one%20of%20the%20members%20of%20the%20committee%20-%20the%20hundreds%20of%20thousands%20of%20people%20who%20are%20in%20danger%20of%20being%20put%20in%20an%20institution%2C%20and%20their%20family%20members%20who%20live%20in%20dread%20of%20this%20as%20well.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Lot%27s%20of%20talk%2C%20barely%20any%20action%0A%0AIt%20seems%20that%20deinstitutionalisation%20has%20become%20an%20exercise%20in%20wordsmithing.%20There%27s%20a%20lot%20of%20talk%2C%20there%27s%20barely%20any%20action.%0A%0AIt%20also%20appears%20that%20deinstitutionalisation%20has%20become%20about%20many%20things%20but%20not%20about%20closing%20institutions%20and%20supporting%20people%20who%20are%20segregated%20in%20institutions%20to%20move%20out%20of%20those%20harmful%20places%2C%20to%20set%20up%20new%20life%20in%20a%20new%20place%20of%20their%20own%20with%20the%20support%20they%20need%20included%20in%20the%20community.%0A%0AThis%20means%2C%20of%20course%2C%20that%20we%20need%20refocusing%20of%20activities%20both%20at%20EU%20level%20and%20especially%20at%20national%20levels.%0A%0AThere%20needs%20to%20be%20a%20clear%20identification%20of%20population%20that%20is%20institutionalised.%20I%20find%20it%20hard%20to%20believe%20that%20still%2C%20nobody%20can%20answer%20the%20question%20how%20many%20people%20are%20institutionalised%20in%20each%20EU%20country.%0A%0AThere%20also%20needs%20to%20be%20a%20clear%20action%20plan%20to%20close%20these%20places.%0A%0AAnd%20of%20course%2C%20there%20needs%20to%20be%20provisions%20in%20EU%20funds%20that%20condition%20access%20to%20EU%20funds%20on%20how%20the%20country%20acts%20on%20the%20plans.%20%0A%0AIt%27s%20not%20enough%20to%20write%20some%20words%20in%20documents%20that%20might%20look%20like%20a%20strategy.%20What%20is%20important%20is%20to%20
80act%20on%20those%20words.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Clear%20conditions%20to%20EU%20funds%0A%0AThere%20needs%20to%20be%20condition%20in%20access%20to%20EU%20funds%20connected%20to%20how%20each%20country%20progresses%20on%20closing%20institutions%20and%20in%20supporting%20people%20to%20find%20a%20new%20place%20and%20a%20good%20support%20included%20in%20the%20community.%0A%0AI%20would%20also%20say%20it%27s%20important%20to%20learn%20from%20the%20work%20that%20is%20being%20done%20around%20Europe.%0A%0ASome%20of%20that%20has%20been%20discussed.%20There%27s%20of%20course%20a%20lot%20that%20is%20not%20good%20enough%20in%20terms%20of%20the%20deinstitutionalisation%20-%20or%20should%20we%20not%20call%20it%20deinstitutionalisation%20at%20all%3F%0A%0ABut%20there%27s%20also%20a%20lot%20that%20is%20being%20done.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Nothing%20new%20to%20invent%0A%0ALet%27s%20not%20forget%20that%20the%20majority%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20supported%20in%20their%20homes%20by%20their%20family%20members.%0A%0AThere%20are%20many%20community-based%20services%20supporting%20people.%0A%0AAnd%20I%27m%20making%20this%20point%20to%20make%20it%20clear%20that%2C%20obviously%2C%20people%20know%20how%20to%20support%20people%20with%20disabilities%20to%20live%20independently%20in%20the%20community.%0A%0AThere%20is%20nothing%20new%20to%20invent%20in%20this%20regard.%0A%0AThere%20is%20no%20more%20place%20for%20excuses%20from%20policymakers%20and%20from%20service%20providers.%0A%0AI%27ve%20had%20it%20listening%20to%20all%20kinds%20of%20lists%20of%20barriers%20from%20service%20providers%3A%20What%20kind%20of%20conditions%20need%20to%20be%20done%20for%20this%20or%20done%20for%20that.%0A%0AThe%20path%20forward%20is%20clear%2C%20the%20demand%20is%20clear%2C%20and%20the%20practice%20is%20also%20there%20that%20can%20be%20built%20on.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Not%20enough%20evidence%20of%20violence%20and%20abuse%3F%0A%0AAnd%20a%20short%20reaction%20to%20what%20was%20said%20by%20one%20of%20the%20speakers%20earlier%3A%20I%20find%20it%20a%20little%20rich%20to%20say%20there%20is%20not%20enough%20evidence%20on%20abuse%20in%20institutions%2C%20or%20violence%20in%20institutions.%0A%0AI%20could%20sit%20here%20for%20a%20very%2C%20very%20long%20time%20just%20recollecting%20instances%20of%20abuse%20and%20violence%20from%20the%20top%20of%20my%20head.%0A%0ANot%20leaving%20aside%20that%20institutionalisation%20itself%20is%20an%20
80act%20of%20abuse.%0A%0A**To%20conclude%3A**%20%0A%0AAs%20movement%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20families%2C%20as%20a%20movement%20of%20people%20whose%20hundreds%20of%20thousands%20are%20institutionalised%2C%20and%20are%20not%20benefiting%20enough%20from%20all%20the%20effort%20or%20the%20funds%20being%20spent%20on%20deinstitutionalisation%3A%0A%0AI%20urge%20the%20Parliament%20to%20do%20anything%20in%20its%20powers%20to%20make%20sure%20that%20the%20next%20budget%20conditions%20access%20to%20EU%20funds%20on%20actual%20deinstitutionalisation%20in%20each%20country.%0A%0AThank%20you.%0A%0A%21%5BMilan%20Sverepa%20speaking%20during%20the%20workshop%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f2e.png%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Responding%20to%20questions%20from%20members%20of%20the%20Committee%3A%0A%0A**Employment%3A**%0A%0A%u2022%20%5BDisability%20employment%20package%2C%5D%28https%3A//employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/social-protection-social-inclusion/persons-disabilities/union-equality-strategy-rights-persons-disabilities-2021-2030/disability-employment-package-improve-labour-market-outcomes-persons-disabilities_en%29%20from%20the%20European%20Commission%0A%u2022%20Barely%20any%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%5Bare%20employed%20on%20the%20open%20labour%20market.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2024-key-findings%29%0A%u2022%20Many%20countries%20take%20away%20disability%20benefits%20as%20soon%20as%20people%20start%20earning%20money.%0A%u2022%20Examples%20of%20support%20to%20employement%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%3A%20%5BKlapjob%2C%5D%28https%3A//klapjob.dk/%29%20Denmark%2C%20%5Bcreating%20jobs%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/klapjob-employment-inclusion-people-disabilities/%29%20for%20thousands%20of%20people.%20%5BPlena%20inclusi%F3n%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.plenainclusion.org/%29%20Spain%2C%20%5Bsupporting%20people%5D%28https%3A//www.plenainclusion.org/conocenos/proyectos/ficha/empleo/%29%20to%20pass%20the%20exam%20necessary%20for%20public%20sector%20jobs.%0A%0A**Preventing%20institutionalisation%3A**%0A%0A%u2022%20There%20needs%20to%20be%20good%20support.%20There%20needs%20to%20be%20access%20to%20housing.%0A%u2022%20Institutions%20need%20to%20be%20closed%20down.%20Because%20they%20not%20only%20harm%20people.%20They%20are%20not%20only%20a%20human%20rights%20problem%2C%20they%20are%20also%20economical%20problem.%20As%20long%20as%20they%20exist%2C%20they%20will%20consume%20resources%20that%20should%20be%20available%20to%20community-based%20support.%0A%u2022%20It%20would%20also%20benefit%20preventing%20institutionalisation%20if%20authorities%20and%20service%20providers%20communicated%20clearly%20what%20it%20means%20to%20be%20in%20an%20institution.%20When%20we%20look%20at%20how%20institutions%20are%20being%20portrayed%2C%20and%20portray%20themselves%20%u2013%20it%u2019s%20as%20%u201Csafe%20places%u201D%2C%20%u201Cgood%20service%20providers%u201D.%20And%20they%20aren%u2019t%20either.%0A%0A**Examples%20of%20deinstitutionalisation%3A**%0A%0A%u2022%20It%u2019s%20one%20of%20the%20crucial%20issues%20in%20this%20conversation%3A%20How%20can%20we%20see%20progress%20on%20a%20certain%20policy%20when%20we%20cannot%20even%20define%20the%20starting%20point%20%u2013%20As%20I%20said%20earlier%2C%20it%u2019s%20hard%20to%20believe%20countries%20cannot%20answer%20how%20many%20people%20are%20institutionalised.%0A%u2022%20Also%20hard%20to%20have%20this%20conversations%20if%20it%20is%20not%20clear%20what%20the%20outcome%20should%20be%20%u2013%20including%20that%20it%20should%20be%20also%20closing%20institutions.%0A%u2022%20As%20examples%3A%20Recently%2C%20one%20institution%20%5Bwas%20closed%5D%28https%3A//di-club.ghost.io/institution-for-116-people-closed/%29%20completely%20in%20Prague%2C%20Czechia.%20Another%20in%20Slovakia%2C%20called%20Slatinka.%20There%20are%20many%20more.%20As%20a%20specific%20example%20of%20worths%20mentioning%20%u2013%20%5BCeva%20de%20spus%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.cevadespus.ro/en/%29%20Romania%3B%20people%20who%20survived%20institutions%20and%20are%20helping%2
800others%20now.%20Their%20work%20is%20extremely%20useful%20in%20learning%20in%20how%20support%20to%20people%20leaving%20institutions%20could%20work.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20More%20about%20the%20workshop%3A%0A%0A%u2022%20%5BWorkshop%20page%5D%28https%3A//www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/deinstitutionalisation-and-independent-l/product-details/20241120WKS06161%29%20with%20presentations%20and%20the%20Parliament%u2019s%20background%20paper%0A%u2022%20%5BVideo-recording%5D%28https%3A//multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/empl-committee-meeting_20241202-1700-COMMITTEE-EMPL%29%20of%20the%20workshop%0A%0AMore%20on%20the%20topic%3A%0A%0A%u2022%20%5BLack%20of%20understanding%20is%20not%20the%20issue%2C%20lack%20of%20action%20is%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/lack-of-understanding-is-not-the-issue-lack-of-action-is-contribution-to-guidance-on-living-independently-and-being-included/%29%20-%20contribution%20to%20guidance%20on%20living%20independently%20and%20being%20included%0A%u2022%20European%20Commission%20%5BGuidance%20on%20independent%20living%20and%20inclusion%20in%20the%20community%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/deinstitutionalisation-news-reports%29%0A%u2022%20%5BHousing%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities%253A-issues-ideas-practices%29%0A%0A%0A","Milan Å veÅepa, director of Inclusion Europe, was invited to speak during a workshop of the European Parliamentâs Committee on Employment and social affairs. The workshop was about Deinstitutionalisation and independent living of persons with disabilities.","/it-seems-that-deinstitutionalisation-has-become-an-exercise","2024-12-16T16:43:46.000Z","2025-12-18T12:15:18.000Z",{"idx":975,"title":976,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":977,"picture":978,"content_e2r":10,"content":981,"excerpt":982,"default_type":29,"url":983,"created_at":984,"modified_at":985,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},107,"Building self-advocacy movements with Soufiane El Amrani and Guillaume Jacquinot","Podcast",{"alt":979,"picture":980},"Podcast illustration","https://str.inclusion.eu/07979ebf13c148ad045747600.png","Listen%20to%20the%20podcast%20episode%20%5Bhere.%5D%28https%3A//creators.spotify.com/pod/show/inclusion-europe/episodes/Building-self-advocacy-movements-with-Soufiane-El-Amrani-and-Guillaume-Jacquinot-e2sm4pm%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Summary%0AThis%20podcast%20episode%20explores%20the%20transformative%20power%20of%20self-advocacy%20and%20inclusion.%20The%20discussion%20highlights%20the%20portrayal%20of%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20media%20and%20its%20role%20in%20reshaping%20societal%20perceptions.%0A%0AOur%20first%20guest%2C%20**Soufiane%20El%20Amrani**%2C%20discusses%20challenges%20such%20as%20stigma%2C%20communication%20barriers%2C%20and%20the%20need%20for%20accessible%20information%2C%20emphasizing%20leadership%20and%20collaboration.%20%0A%0AOur%20second%20guest%2C%20**Guillaume%20Jacquinot**%20from%20Inclusion%20Ireland%2C%20shares%20insights%20into%20overcoming%20inclusion%20barriers%20and%20celebrates%20success%20stories%20of%20self-advocates.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Content%0A%0A**%5B00%3A02%3A08%5D%20-%20Challenges%20faced%20by%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities**%0ASoufiane%20highlights%20barriers%20like%20stigma%2C%20communication%20challenges%2C%20inaccessible%20spaces%2C%20and%20fear%20of%20backlash%20from%20caregivers.%0A%0A**%5B00%3A03%3A22%5D%20-%20Strategies%20for%20impactful%20self-advocacy**%0ASoufiane%20suggests%20collaboration%20with%20other%20organisations%2C%20sharing%20personal%20stories%2C%20engaging%20policymakers%2C%20and%20using%20social%20media.%20Leadership%20skills%20and%20clear%20goals%20are%20crucial.%0A%0A**%5B00%3A04%3A40%5D%20Promoting%20inclusivity%20in%20self-advocacy%20groups**%0ASoufiane%20emphasises%20providing%20easy-to-understand%20information%2C%20ensuring%20diversity%2C%20sharing%20decision-making%20roles%2C%20and%20building%20long-term%20relationships%20with%20policymakers.%0A%0A**%5B00%3A08%3A17%5D%20Challenges%20with%20tokenism%20and%20accessibility**%0AGuillaume%20shares%20examples%20
80of%20self-advocates%20facing%20tokenism%20and%20inaccessible%20public%20events%2C%20highlighting%20the%20importance%20of%20proper%20preparation%20and%20meaningful%20participation.%0A%0A**%5B00%3A12%3A04%5D%20Advice%20for%20new%20self-advocates**%0AGuillaume%20encourages%20joining%20experienced%20groups%2C%20building%20confidence%20through%20collective%20action%2C%20and%20sharing%20personal%20stories%20to%20drive%20change.%0A%0A**%5B00%3A14%3A23%5D%20Success%20stories%20in%20advocacy**%0AGuillaume%20provides%20a%20few%20examples%20and%20best%20practices%20to%20inspire%20listeners.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Further%20reading%0A%0AGreat%20articles/radio%3A%0A-%20%5BTrinity%20Centre%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%5D%28https%3A//www.irishtimes.com/news/education/i-was-told-i-would-never-go-to-college-now-i-m-a-graduate-1.3267689%29%0A-%20%5BInclusion%20in%20the%20workplace%20%7C%20Today%20with%20Claire%20Byrne%20-%20RT%C9%20Radio%201%5D%28https%3A//www.irishtimes.com/news/education/i-was-told-i-would-never-go-to-college-now-i-m-a-graduate-1.3267689%29%0A%0ASelf-advocacy%3A%0A%0A%5BSpeak%20Up%2C%20Speak%20Out%21%20-%20Self-advocacy%20training%20guide%20-%20Inclusion%20Ireland%5D%28https%3A//inclusionireland.ie/resources/speakupspeakout/%29%0A%20%0AProjects%3A%0A%0A%5BIHREC%20Employment%20Project%202023%20%7C%20Inclusion%20Ireland%5D%28https%3A//inclusionireland.ie/projects/ihrec-employment-project-2023/%29%0A%5BIHREC%20Media%20Project%20%7C%20Inclusion%20Ireland%5D%28https%3A//inclusionireland.ie/projects/ihrec-media-project/%29","Our guests emphasise practical strategies, the importance of collaboration, and leadership in building effective self-advocacy movements that drive meaningful change.","/building-self-advocacy-movements-podcast","2024-12-17T11:39:33.000Z","2024-12-23T16:27:05.000Z",{"idx":987,"title":988,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":977,"picture":989,"content_e2r":10,"content":991,"excerpt":992,"default_type":29,"url":993,"created_at":994,"modified_at":995,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},108,"Mapping rights and inclusion across Europe with Soufiane El Amrani, Bridget Lynch and Freddy Jussien",{"alt":979,"picture":990},"https://str.inclusion.eu/07979ebf13c148ad045747601.png","Listen%20to%20the%20podcast%20episode%20%5Bhere.%5D%28https%3A//creators.spotify.com/pod/show/inclusion-europe/episodes/Mapping-rights-and-inclusion-across-Europe-with-Soufiane-El-Amrani--Bridget-Lynch-and-Freddy-Jussien-e2tea9t%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Summary%0AThis%20podcast%20episode%20dives%20into%20the%20findings%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%27s%202024%20Inclusion%20indicators%20report%2C%20revealing%20systemic%20barriers%20faced%20by%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20the%20steps%20needed%20to%20advance%20their%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20across%20Europe.%20%0A%0AOur%20first%20guest%2C%20**Soufiane%20El%20Amrani**%2C%20explains%20the%20significance%20of%20the%20report%2C%20which%20collected%20insights%20from%20over%20400%20individuals.%20He%20emphasises%20key%20challenges%20such%20as%20restricted%20voting%20rights%2C%20forced%20institutionalisation%2C%20limited%20employment%20opportunities%20and%20the%20lack%20of%20representation%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20decision-making%20roles.%0A%0AOur%20second%20guest%2C%20**Bridget%20Lynch**%2C%20provides%20an%20overview%20of%20the%20report%27s%20findings%2C%20detailing%20disparities%20across%20countries%20and%20emphasising%20the%20need%20for%20inclusive%20education%2C%20independent%20living%20opportunities%20and%20systemic%20reforms.%20She%20highlights%20how%20the%20report%20allows%20governments%20and%20organisations%20to%20learn%20from%20high-performing%20countries%20like%20Finland%20and%20Sweden%20while%20identifying%20gaps%20in%20countries%20scoring%20lower%2C%20such%20as%20Belgium%20and%20Romania.%0A%0AOur%20third%20guest%2C%20**Freddy%20Jussien**%2C%20discusses%20the%20challenges%20of%20gathering%20data%20on%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20particularly%20those%20living%20in%20institutions.%20He%20emphasises%20the%20critical%20role%20of%20accurate%20data%20in%20shaping%20policies%20and%20ensuring%20accountability.%20Freddy%20encourages%20the%20use%20of%20the%20report%20as%20a%20tool%20for%20advocacy%2C%20awareness%20and%20holding
80%20policymakers%20accountable%20to%20drive%20progress%20and%20improve%20inclusion%20efforts.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Content%0A**%5B00%3A01%3A40%5D%20-%20What%20are%20the%20Inclusion%20indicators%3F**%0AThe%202024%20Inclusion%20Indicators%20Report%20collected%20data%20from%20over%20400%20individuals%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20revealing%20significant%20barriers%20such%20as%20loss%20of%20decision-making%20rights%2C%20restricted%20voting%20access%2C%20forced%20institutionalisation%20and%20limited%20employment%20opportunities.%20Soufiane%20highlights%20the%20importance%20of%20inclusive%20education%20and%20representation%20within%20organisations.%0A%0A**%5B00%3A05%3A03%5D%20-%20Key%20findings**%0ABridget%20shares%20data%20from%2031%20countries%2C%20showing%20that%20many%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20systemic%20exclusion.%20She%20shares%20best%20practices%20from%20countries%20that%20performed%20well%20and%20opportunities%20for%20improvement%20for%20countries%20that%20scored%20lower.%0A%0A**%5B00%3A10%3A15%5D%20-%20Challenges%20in%20data%20collection**%0AFreddy%20discusses%20the%20lack%20of%20data%20collection%20on%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20especially%20those%20in%20institutions%2C%20due%20to%20invisibility%20and%20segregation.%20He%20emphasises%20that%20governments%20must%20prioritise%20collecting%20accurate%20data%20to%20inform%20effective%20policymaking.%0A%0A**Read%20the%202024%20Inclusion%20indicators%20report%20%5Bhere%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2024-key-findings%29.**%0A%0AListen%20to%20the%20podcast%20%5Bhere.%5D%28https%3A//creators.spotify.com/pod/show/inclusion-europe/episodes/Mapping-rights-and-inclusion-across-Europe-with-Soufiane-El-Amrani--Bridget-Lynch-and-Freddy-Jussien-e2tea9t%29%0A","Our guests highlight systemic barriers, data-driven insights and strategies to advance the inclusion and rights of people with intellectual disabilities across Europe.","/inclusion-indicators-podcast","2025-01-13T12:04:34.000Z","2025-01-13T14:43:59.000Z",{"idx":997,"title":998,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":999,"menu_position":152,"tags":1000,"picture":1001,"content_e2r":10,"content":1003,"excerpt":1004,"default_type":29,"url":1005,"created_at":1006,"modified_at":1007,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},109,"Podcast: Inclusion Europe Radio",4,"Podcast,Inclusion Europe Radio",{"alt":979,"picture":1002},"https://str.inclusion.eu/99b0628b2307ebc50a086241c.png","Inclusion%20Europe%20Radio%20is%20a%20podcast%20about%20rights%2C%20challenges%20and%20achievements%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20across%20Europe.%0A%0AThrough%20in-depth%20conversations%20with%20advocates%2C%20experts%20and%20self-advocates%2C%20the%20podcast%20highlights%20stories%20of%20inclusion%2C%20practical%20strategies%20for%20change%20and%20insights%20into%20creating%20more%20accessible%20and%20equitable%20societies.%20%0A%0ATune%20in%20to%20learn%20how%20collaboration%2C%20advocacy%20and%20action%20are%20transforming%20lives.%0A%0A**Subscribe%20to%20the%20podcast%3A**%0A-%20%5BSpotify%5D%28https%3A//open.spotify.com/show/0h5K9m9gZchj8C8naVPdvH%29%0A-%20%5BApple%20Podcasts%5D%28https%3A//podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inclusion-europe-radio/id1560804555%3Fuo%3D4%29%0A-%20%5BPocket%20Casts%5D%28http%3A//pca.st/0uv5i0vf%29%0A-%20%5BYouTube%5D%28https%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DEai_vlvjkTE%26list%3DPLs0Ece-TWoSKQvyEKKa_H8hpWa2jVwpsa%29%0A-%20%5BGoogle%20Podcasts%5D%28https%3A//podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy81NDZmMGQyMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw%3D%3D%29%0A-%20%5BAnchor%5D%28https%3A//anchor.fm/inclusion-europe%29%0A%0A**Do%20you%20have%20a%20story%20to%20tell%3F**%20Contact%20us%20at%[email 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80C%20European%20Commissioner%20for%20Equality%2C%20Preparedness%20and%20Crisis%20Management%20for%20joining%20the%20event%20for%20what%20was%20her%20first%20public%20speech%20in%20her%20role%20as%20Commissioner.%0AInclusion%20Europe%20director%2C%20**Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa**%2C%20had%20an%20opportunity%20to%20give%20the%20printed%20Inclusion%20indicators%202024%20report%20to%20Commissioner%20Lahbib.%0A%0AWe%20were%20also%20honoured%20to%20have%20**Younous%20Omarjee**%2C%20Vice-President%20of%20the%20European%20Parliament%2C%20collaborate%20with%20us%20on%20this%20event%20and%20help%20us%20with%20the%20organisation.%0A%0AWe%20want%20to%20thank%20the%20High%20Level%20Group%20on%20Gender%20Equality%20and%20Diversity%20of%20the%20European%20Parliament%20for%20hosting%20the%20event.%0A%0AAnd%20we%20thank%20to%20all%20the%20speakers%20and%20participants.%0A%0AWatch%20the%20full%20event%20%5Bhere%5D%28https%3A//www.europarl.europa.eu/streaming/%3Fevent%3D20241204-1500-SPECIAL-OTHER%29%20and%20read%20the%20full%20report%20%5Bhere%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/17d0cedb3ec6748196eed9f05.pdf%29.%0ARead%20our%20dedicated%20Europe%20for%20us%20issue%20%5Bhere%5D%28inclusion.eu/indicators-2024-europe-for-us%29.","/inclusion-indicators-event","2025-01-21T14:16:55.000Z","2025-01-28T15:19:04.000Z",{"idx":1019,"title":1020,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1021,"picture":1022,"content_e2r":10,"content":1025,"excerpt":1026,"default_type":29,"url":1027,"created_at":1028,"modified_at":1029,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},111,"Europe for Us - Inclusion Indicators 2024","easy to read,europe for us",{"alt":1023,"picture":1024},"Self-advocate speaking at a conference","https://str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d09960f.jpg","**Contents%20of%20the%20latest%20issue%3A**%0A1.%20Event%20at%20the%20European%20Parliament%0A2.%20Soufiane%20presenting%20key%20findings%20of%20the%20report%0A3.%20Laszlo%20addressing%20policymakers%0A4.%20Member%20of%20Parliament%2C%20Katrin%20Langensiepen%0A5.%20Vice-President%2C%20Younous%20Omarjee%0A6.%20Commissioner%20for%20Equality%2C%20Preparedness%20and%0ACrisis%20Management%2C%20Hadja%20Lahbib%0A7.%20Self-advocates%20representing%20Inclusion%20ASBL%0A%0ALanguage%20versions%3A%20%5BEnglish%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d099607.pdf%29%20-%20%5BNederlands%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d099608.pdf%29%20-%20%5BFran%E7ais%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d099609.pdf%29%20-%20%5BDeutsch%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d09960a.pdf%29%20-%20%5BEspa%F1ol%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d09960d.pdf%29%20-%20%5BRom%E2n%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d09960b.pdf%29%20-%20%5BMagyar%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d09960c.pdf%29%20-%20%5BItaliano%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d09960e.pdf%29%0A%0ASubscribe%20to%20our%20%5Bmailing%20list%5D%28https%3A//e34b73c4.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFACxokgTbhuJCuLfAc2Ifim0DgELA4WZiFONtpBoE4S0ec508gn0-InlSjqcNtJ60bcnzL6g4NJCdADATuGTFAzAa_NHSaI6NeuYHsvfX66u4tPlKpl64o7Qx41IY1u3RKOuUD1Asg1dmHbNqZQ3GSLReo-j00e9wswdEtqO1GS8H1TTfFyOIsCt4mfbeWdglJD0kVCynxGf9%29%20to%20receive%20Europe%20for%20us%20magazine%20in%20your%20email.%0A%0A**%5BPrevious%20issues%20of%20Europe%20for%20us.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-magazine%29**","Europe for Us is an easy-to-read magazine. It is published four times per year in English, French, German, Spanish, Romanian, Hungarian, Dutch, and Italian.","/inclusion-indicators-2024-europe-for-us","2025-01-21T14:25:31.000Z","2025-12-19T16:20:50.000Z",{"idx":1031,"title":1032,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1033,"picture":1034,"content_e2r":10,"content":1037,"excerpt":1038,"default_type":29,"url":1039,"created_at":1040,"modified_at":1041,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},112,"Rights of people with intellectual disabilities must be respected: Everywhere. All the time","Laszlo Bercse,Inclusion indicators,European Parliament,self-advocacy,EPSA",{"alt":1035,"picture":1036},"László Bercse speaking on the panel. ","https://str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d099610.jpg","*L%E1szl%F3%20Bercse%20is%20Vice-President%20of%20inclusion%20Europe%2C%20and%20chair%20of%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates.*%0A*L%E1szl%F3%20Bercse%20spoke%20at%20%5Bthe%20European%20Parliament%20event%20in%20December%202024%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-event%29%20with%20these%20closing%20remarks%3A*%0A%0A%21%5BBercse%20speaking%20on%20the%20panel%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d099611.jpg%29%0A%0ALadies%20and%20gentlemen.%20%0A%0AI%20want%20to%20thank%20the%20European%20Parliament%20for%20organising%20this%20important%20event.%20%0AAnd%20especially%20to%20Vice-President%20Omarjee%20for%20his%20contribution%20to%20making%20this%20event%20happen.%20%0AI%20also%20want%20to%20thank%20Commissioner%20Lahbib%20for%20her%20words%20dedicated%20to%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0AAnd%20thank%20you%20to%20all%20the%20speakers%2C%20and%20all%20of%20you%20who%20attended%20this%20event.%20%0AIt%20is%20an%20important%20day%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%u2013%20to%20have%20a%20high-level
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80ised%20I%20can%20inspire%20others.%20I%20want%20to%20do%20more%20to%20make%20a%20difference%22%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/judy-project-year-review%29%0A%0A*%20Quick%20look%3A%20%5BDeinstitutionalisation%20in%20Albania%2C%20Bulgaria%2C%20Hungary%2C%20Romania%2C%20Slovakia%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/quick-look%253A-deinstitutionalisation-in-albania-bulgaria-hungary-romania-slovakia%29%0A%0A%0A%21%5BInclusion%20International%20and%20Inclusion%20Europe%20logos%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d09961c.png%29%0A%0AThe%20JUDY%20project%20is%20named%20after%20Judy%20Heumann%2C%20a%20lifelong%20advocate%20for%20disability%20rights%2C%20who%20passed%20away%20in%202023.%20The%20project%20is%20funded%20by%20the%20US%20State%20Department%20and%20will%20run%20for%20three%20years%2C%20from%202024%20to%202026.%0A%0A%0A","Working together to close institutions and to strengthen self-advocates in Eastern Europe.","/judy-project","2025-01-22T15:51:35.000Z","2025-01-23T15:32:59.000Z",{"idx":1055,"title":1056,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1057,"picture":1058,"content_e2r":10,"content":1060,"excerpt":1061,"default_type":29,"url":1062,"created_at":1063,"modified_at":1064,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},115,"Quick look: Deinstitutionalisation in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia ","deinstitutionalisation,JUDY project,Albania, Bulgaria,Hungary,Romania,Slovakia ",{"alt":132,"picture":1059},"https://str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e708.jpg","This%20is%20a%20summary%20of%20reports%20produced%20by%20%5BJUDY%20project%5D%28https%3A//inclusion.eu/judy-project%29%20partners%2C%20each%20for%20their%20respective%20country.%20It%20covers%3A%0A%0A*%20Situation%20in%20Albania%2C%20Bulgaria%2C%20Hungary%2C%20Romania%2C%20and%20Slovakia%20with%20their%20deinstitutionalisation%20efforts.%0A*%20Main%20challenges.%0A*%20Self-advocates%27%20involvement%20in%20deinstitutionalisation%0A*%20What%20kind%20of%20support%20is%20available%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A**Read%20it%20here%3A%20%5BQuick%20look%20-%20Deinstitutionalisation%20in%20Albania%2C%20Bulgaria%2C%20Hungary%2C%20Romania%2C%20Slovakia%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d099613.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29**%0A%0ASee%20also%3A%0A%0A*%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2024-key-findings%29%0A*%20%5BHousing%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-issues-ideas-practices%29%0A*%20%5BSituation%20in%204%20countries%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/much-more-needs-to-be-done-to-implement-deinstitutionalisation%29%0A%0A%0A","A closer look at how Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia are managing deinstitutionalisation for people with intellectual disabilities. ","/quick-look%3A-deinstitutionalisation-in-albania-bulgaria-hungary-romania-slovakia","2025-01-23T12:20:13.000Z","2025-12-19T16:18:57.000Z",{"idx":1066,"title":1067,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1068,"picture":1069,"content_e2r":10,"content":1072,"excerpt":1073,"default_type":29,"url":1074,"created_at":1075,"modified_at":1076,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},116,"\"I realised I can inspire others. I want to do more to make a difference\"","deinstitutionalisation,JUDY project,Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary,Romania, Slovakia ",{"alt":1070,"picture":1071},"Photos from self-advocates' trainings","https://str.inclusion.eu/8e3d483bde63779991d099619.png","The%20first%20year%20of%20the%20%5BJUDY%20project%5D%28https%3A//inclusion.eu/judy-project%29%20has%20been%20a%20journey%20of%20change%2C%20bringing%20together%20self-advocates%2C%20families%2C%20and%20professionals%20to%20help%20close%20institutions%20and%20ensure%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20can%20live%20in%20their%20communities%20with%20the%20right%20support.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Learning%20to%20lead%20and%20to%20speak%20up%0A%0AOver%20the%20past%20year%2C%20the%20JUDY%20Project%20parnters%20organised%20or%20took%20part%20in%20**79%20training%20sessions%2C**%20workshops%2C%20meetings%20and%20events%2C%20involving%20**more%20than%20800%20people.**%20%0A%0AThese%20events%20included%20self-advocacy%20trainings%2C%20supporter%20workshops%2C%20collaborative%20planning%20sessions%2C%20meetings%20with%20decision%20makers%2C%20group%20discussions%20and%20
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80ype":29,"url":1105,"created_at":1106,"modified_at":1107,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},120,"Include news February 2025: Scotland not meeting human rights obligations, WHO launches disability inclusion guide",{"alt":311,"picture":1103},"https://str.inclusion.eu/85ed4d167f8d92b2b91523602.png","%23%23%23%20Scotland%20is%20not%20meeting%20human%20rights%20obligations%20on%20progress%20from%20institutions%20to%20independent%20living%0AThe%20%5BScottish%20Human%20Rights%20Commission%5D%28https%3A//www.scottishhumanrights.com/news/scotland-is-not-meeting-human-rights-obligations-on-progress-from-institutions-to-independent-living/%29%20finds%20that%20people%20with%20learning%20disabilities%20and%20autistic%20people%20are%20still%20being%20held%20in%20institutions%20in%20breach%20of%20their%20human%20rights%2C%20and%20no%20evidence%20of%20a%20human%20rights%20based%20approach%20to%20end%20this%20practice.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Urgent%20Call%20to%20Action%3A%20Tell%20the%20Council%20of%20Europe%20to%20abandon%20work%20on%20the%20draft%20Additional%20Protocol%0AThe%20European%20Disability%20Forum%20and%20Mental%20Health%20Europe%2C%20together%20with%20numerous%20stakeholders%2C%20%20will%20continue%20to%20closely%20monitor%20the%20work%5Bclosely%20monitor%20the%20work%5D%28https%3A//www.withdrawoviedo.info/join%29%20of%20the%20CDBIO%20as%20well%20as%20other%20bodies%20of%20the%20Council%20of%20Europe%20to%20ensure%20that%20human%20rights%20standards%20are%20safeguarded%20across%20Europe.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Autism-Europe%20is%20looking%20for%20stories%20from%20the%20autism%20community%20for%20the%20Not%20invisible%20campaign%0A%22Not%20invisible%22%20is%20a%20multi-annual%20campaign%5Bmulti-annual%20campaign%5D%28https%3A//www.autismeurope.org/blog/2024/12/23/ae-is-looking-for-stories-from-the-autism-community-for-the-not-invisible-campaign/%29%20that%20seeks%20to%20draw%20attention%20to%20the%20fact%20that%20autistic%20people%u2019s%20needs%20are%20often%20made%20invisible.%20Autism-Europe%20and%20our%20members%20want%20to%20raise%20awareness%20of%20the%20barriers%20and%20discrimination%20autistic%20people%20face%2C%20and%20how%20to%20overcome%20them.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20United%20States%3A%20song%20by%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0AAward-winning%20hip-hop%20artist%20Snoop%20Dogg%2C%20together%20with%20Dr%20Dre%2C%20%5Bsampled%20the%20song%20Watermelon%20Fantasy%5D%28https%3A//www.theguardian.com/music/2024/dec/29/snoop-dogg-and-dr-dre-sample-song-by-london-learning-disabilities-charity%0A%29%2C%20released%20by%20Daylight%20Studio%20%u2013%20a%20London-based%20learning%20disabilities%20charity.%20This%20collaboration%20brings%20attention%20to%20the%20creative%20work%20produced%20within%20the%20learning%20disabilities%20community.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Global%3A%20WHO%20launches%20disability%20inclusion%20guide%20for%20action%0AThe%20%5BWHO%20disability%20inclusion%20Guide%20for%20Action%5D%28https%3A//iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/379479/9789240101517-eng.pdf%3Fsequence%3D1%26isAllowed%3Dy%29%20is%20%22designed%20to%20enable%20ministries%20of%20health%20to%20lead%20and%20implement%20disability-inclusive%20policies%2C%20with%20crucial%20involvement%20from%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20and%20their%20organisations.%20It%20also%20engages%20other%20ministries%2C%20such%20as%20finance%2C%20transportation%20and%20education%2C%20and%20organisations%20involved%20in%20providing%20disability%20related%20services.%22%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Portugal%3A%20sterilisation%20of%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0AIn%20an%20%5Barticle%5D%28https%3A//www.publico.pt/2025/02/02/p3/noticia/esterilizacao-mulheres-deficiencia-continuamos-esquecidas-2119621%29%20published%20on%20Portuguese%20media%20outlet%2C%20*Publico*%2C%20the%20ongoing%20issue%20of%20the%20forced%20or%20coerced%20sterilisation%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities%20in%20Portugal%2C%20a%20practice%20that%20remains%20legally%20permitted%2C%20is%20highlighted.%20%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Updates%20from%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A%0A-%20%5BOur%20list%20of%20events%20for%202025%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/events-2025%29%20%28to%20be%20updated%20throughout%20the%20year%29%0A-%20%5BYear%20review%20for%20JUDY%20project%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/judy-project-year-review%29%20%0A-%20%5BSpeech%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/rights-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-must-be-respected-everywhere-all-the-time%29%20by%20L%E1szl
80%F3%20Bercse%27s%2C%20Vice-President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20and%20chair%20of%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%2C%20at%20the%20European%20Parliament.%0A-%20Latest%20%5Bedition%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2024-europe-for-us%29%20of%20*Europe%20for%20us*%20on%20Inclusion%20indicators%202024%0A-%20Latest%20podcast%20episodes%20on%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-podcast%29%20and%20%5Bbuilding%20self-advocacy%20movements%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/building-self-advocacy-movements-podcast%29%0A-%20In%20an%20%5Barticle%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/it-seems-that-deinstitutionalisation-has-become-an-exercise%29%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%2C%20director%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20criticises%20the%20superficial%20implementation%20of%20deinstitutionalisation%20and%20calls%20for%20a%20shift%20from%20mere%20rhetoric%20to%20substantial%20actions%20that%20ensure%20true%20integration%20and%20respect%20for%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A%0A**Follow%20our%20%5BWhatsApp%20channel%5D%28https%3A//www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaDx78BChq6OjHRBRt0Q%29**%0A","/include-news-february-2025","2025-02-03T12:04:00.000Z","2026-04-07T12:32:35.000Z",{"idx":1109,"title":1110,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1111,"picture":1112,"content_e2r":10,"content":1114,"excerpt":1115,"default_type":29,"url":1116,"created_at":1117,"modified_at":1118,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},121,"Call to action: The Use of EU money for independent living and inclusion ","policy,independent living,EU budget",{"alt":132,"picture":1113},"https://str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e707.jpg","The%20%5Bcall%20to%20action%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/3ce1f3be7c80f9dd5b196c000.pdf%29%20highlights%20the%20significant%20lack%20of%20utilisation%20of%20the%20EU%20budget%20for%20advocating%20for%20deinstitutionalisation%20and%20community-based%20support.%20%0A%0ADespite%20the%20existence%20of%20regulations%20and%20the%20availability%20of%20substantial%20EU%20funds%20%281.2%20trillion%20euros%20within%20the%202021-2027%20long-term%20budget%29%2C%20these%20funds%20are%20often%20not%20being%20used%20effectively%20to%20support%20independent%20living%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20Instead%2C%20they%20are%20frequently%20misdirected%20towards%20maintaining%20or%20establishing%20institutions%2C%20which%20is%20harmful.%0A%0AThe%20guidance%20offers%20recommendations%20for%20using%20EU%20funds%20effectively%2C%20including%20person-centred%20approaches%20and%20investment%20in%20housing%2C%20training%2C%20and%20accessible%20services.%20It%20encourages%20engagement%20with%20authorities%20and%20stakeholders%20to%20ensure%20funds%20are%20allocated%20appropriately%2C%20ultimately%20aiming%20to%20improve%20the%20lives%20of%20852%20000%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20who%20still%20live%20in%20institutions.%0A%0AThe%20document%20provides%20a%20checklist%20and%20actionable%20steps%20for%20advocating%20for%20these%20changes.%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20presented%20the%20call%20to%20action%20on%20the%204th%20of%20April%20to%20French%20authorities%20in%20charge%20of%20EU%20Funds.%20The%20discussion%20was%20organised%20by%20the%20Ministry%20in%20charge%20of%20Disability%20issues.%20%28Secr%E9tariat%20G%E9n%E9ral%20du%20Comit%E9%20Interminist%E9riel%20du%20Handicap%29.%0A%0AIf%20you%20are%20a%20public%20authority%20or%20organisation%20using%20EU%20Funds%2C%20and%20you%20would%20like%20to%20take%20action%20for%20independent%20living%20and%20inclusion%2C%20use%20this%20guidance%20and%20let%20us%20know%20if%20you%20need%20help%20to%20use%20it%21%0A%0ARead%20more%3A%0A%0A%5BCall%20to%20action%3A%20The%20Use%20of%20EU%20money%20for%20independent%20living%20and%20inclusion%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/3ce1f3be7c80f9dd5b196c000.pdf%29%0A%0A%5BAppel%20%E0%20l%u2019action%3A%20Utiliser%20le%20budet%20europ%E9en%20pour%20la%20vie%20ind%E9pendante%20et%20l%u2019inclusion%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/3ce1f3be7c80f9dd5b196c001.pdf%29%0A%0A%5BTogether+%20project%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/together-plus-project%29%0A%0A%5BIndependent%20living%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29","This publication from Inclusion Europe urges the use of EU funds to promote independent living and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.","/call-to-action-use-of-eu-money","2025-02-03T
8014:12:11.000Z","2025-12-19T15:45:21.000Z",{"idx":1120,"title":1121,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1122,"picture":1123,"content_e2r":10,"content":1126,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":1127,"created_at":1128,"modified_at":1129,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},122,"Intellectual disability advocacy - Conversation with Sue Swenson, Inclusion Europe Radio","podcast,Inclusion International,Milan Å veÅepa, disability rights ,education,Inclusion Europe Radio",{"alt":1124,"picture":1125},"Inclusion Europe Radio - Sue Swenson, President of Inclusion International","https://str.inclusion.eu/99b0628b2307ebc50a0862412.png","**In%20this%20episode%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20Radio%2C%20Milan%20talks%20to%20Sue%20Swenson%2C%20President%20of%20Inclusion%20International%2C%20about%20advocacy%2C%20inclusion%2C%20and%20the%20power%20of%20love%20in%20creating%20community%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.**%0A%0A%23%23%23%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20data-testid%3D%22embed-iframe%22%20style%3D%22border-radius%3A12px%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//open.spotify.com/embed/episode/1F0sTlTpLuwMIqvRlil4W9%3Futm_source%3Dgenerator%22%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22152%22%20frameBorder%3D%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3D%22%22%20allow%3D%22autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20fullscreen%3B%20picture-in-picture%22%20loading%3D%22lazy%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%23%23%23%0A%0A%23%23%23%2000%3A37%20-%20Setting%20the%20scene%0ASue%20Swenson%20shares%20her%20journey%2C%20beginning%2
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80VKSlUzUk8wUlg0OEVRTS4u%29%0A%0A**See%20also%3A**%20%5BOther%20events%20organised%20by%20Inclusion%20Europe.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/events-2025%29","The EPSA Steering Group met in Bratislava, Slovakia on 28 January to prepare the Hear our Voices! self-advocacy conference for this year. ","/steering-group-of-the-european-platform-of-self-advocates-meets-to-prepare-hear-our-voices!-self-advocacy-conference","2025-02-11T11:24:01.000Z","2025-02-14T12:25:25.000Z",{"idx":1143,"title":1144,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":705,"picture":1145,"content_e2r":10,"content":1147,"excerpt":1148,"default_type":29,"url":1149,"created_at":1150,"modified_at":1151,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},124,"People with intellectual disabilities and their families in Ukraine. Report on their situation and impact of war",{"alt":132,"picture":1146},"https://str.inclusion.eu/1d16ac67573de98fa7ee9d200.jpg","New%20report%20describes%20the%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20in%20Ukraine.%20The%20report%20shows%20how%20their%20rights%20are%20%28not%29%20being%20respected%2C%20and%20how%20the%20Russian%20war%20impacts%20their%20lives.%0A%0A**Read%20the%20report%3A**%0A%0A-%20%5BSituation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Ukraine%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f203.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%0A-%20%5B%u041F%u0440%u0430%u0432%u0430%20%u0442%u0430%20%u0441%u0442%u0430%u043D%u043E%u0432%u0438%u0449%u0435%20%u043B%u044E%u0434%u0435%u0439%20%u0437%20%u0456%u043D%u0442%u0435%u043B%u0435%u043A%u0442%u0443%u0430%u043B%u044C%u043D%u043E%u044E%20%u043D%u0435%u0434%u043E%u0441%u0442%u0430%u0442%u043D%u0456%u0441%u0442%u044E%20%u0442%u0430%20%u0457%u0445%u043D%u0456%u0445%20%u0441%u0456%u043C%u0435%u0439%20%u0432%20%u0423%u043A%u0440%u0430%u0457%u043D%u0456%20%20%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f204.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%0A%0AThere%20are%20260%20000%20are%20people%20with%20intellectual%20and%20psycho-social%20disabilities%20in%20Ukraine.%20Their%20situation%20is%20not%2C%20and%20never%20has%20been%2C%20an%20easy%20one.%0A%0AThe%20Russian%20war%20has%20led%20to%20destruction%20of%20infrastructure%2C%20forced%20displacement%2C%20inadequate%20shelter%20and%20disrupted%20healthcare%20access%20%u2013%20all%20of%20which%20disproportionately%20affect%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%20%0A%0AThe%20loss%20of%20community%20networks%20that%20once%20supported%20them%20leave%20them%20and%20their%20families%20in%20states%20of%20isolation%20and%20insecurity.%20%20%0A%0AAlready%20widely%20overlooked%20before%20the%20war%2C%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%u2013%20especially%20those%20living%20in%20institutions%20and%20/%20or%20with%20complex%20support%20needs%20%u2013%2C%20and%20their%20families%20are%20more%20segregated%20than%20ever.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20is%20the%20report%20about%0A%0AThe%20report%20has%202%20parts%3A%0A%0AThe%20first%20part%20is%20based%20on%20what%20self-advocates%20and%20family%20members%20told%20us%20about%20their%20lives.%20Inclusion%20Ukraine%20created%20a%20focus%20group%2C%20of%20which%2011%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20or%20in%20some%20cases%20their%20family%20members%2C%20shared%20their%20experiences%20and%20views%0A%0AThe%20second%20part%20looks%20into%20the%20situation%20based%20on%207%20important%20topics%3A%0A%0A-%20Right%20to%20decide%20and%20right%20to%20vote.%0A-%20Right%20to%20live%20independently%20and%20to%20be%20included%20in%20the%20community.%0A-%20Housing%20and%20support.%0A-%20Education.%0A-%20Employment.%0A-%20Healthcare.%0A-%20Representation.%0A%0A**Read%20the%20report%3A**%0A%0A-%20%5BSituation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Ukraine%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f203.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%0A-%20%5B%u041F%u0440%u0430%u0432%u0430%20%u0442%u0430%20%u0441%u0442%u0430%u043D%u043E%u0432%u0438%u0449%u0435%20%u043B%u044E%u0434%u0435%u0439%20%u0437%20%u0456%u043D%u0442%u0435%u043B%u0435%u043A%u0442%u0443%u0430%u043B%u044C%u043D%u043E%u044E%20%u043D%u0435%u0434%u043E%u0441%u0442%u0430%u0442%u043D%u0456%u0441%u0442%u044E%20%u0442%u0430%20%u0457%u0445%u043D%u0456%u0445%20%u0441%u0456%u043C%u0435%u0439%20%u0432%20%u0423%u043A%u0440%u0430%u0457%u043D%u0456%20%20%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f204.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%0A%0A%0A%0AThe%20report%20was%20created%20by%20Inclusion%20Europe%20in%20collaboration%20with%20%5BInclusion%20Ukraine.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-ukraine.com/%29%20It%20was%20done%20as%20%5Bpart%20of%20a%20project%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/supporting-rights-and-inclusion-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-in-ukraine%29%20by%20the%20European%20Disability%20forum%2C%20funded%20by%20CBM.%0A%0AThe%20report%20was%20presented%20to%20European%20organisations%20and%20EU%20institutions%20%5Bduring%20a%20visit%20to%20Brussels.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/%2522we-keep-advocating-for-our-rights-even-when-the-authorities-say-it%27s-not-a-priority-during-war%2522%29","People with intellectual disabilities face severe discrimination, restriction of autonomy and institutionalisation. This was the case even before Russia launched its full-scale invasion against Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Since then, the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and their families have become even more difficult. ","/people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-in-ukraine.-report-on-their-situation-and-impact-of-war","2025-02-12T11:20:14.000Z","2025-12-01T17:37:49.000Z",{"idx":1153,"title":1154,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1155,"picture":1156,"content_e2r":10,"content":1159,"excerpt":1160,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1161,"created_at":1162,"modified_at":1163,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},125,"Growing up as a sibling of a person with disabilities, with Aoife McGarry and Inge Volleberg - Inclusion Europe Radio","podcast,siblings,Inge Volleberg,Inclusion Europe Radio",{"alt":1157,"picture":1158},"Inclusion Europe Radio - Aoife McGarry and Inge Volleberg, Siblings of people with intellectual disabilities","https://str.inclusion.eu/99b0628b2307ebc50a0862419.png","**In%20this%20episode%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20Radio%2C%20host%20Elisavet%20and%20guests%20Aoife%20and%20Inge%20explore%20the%20experiences%20of%20siblings%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20highlighting%20the%20challenges%20of%20balancing%20caregiving%20roles%2C%20lack%20of%20support%2C%20and%20the%20emotional%20impact%20on%20families.**%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20data-testid%3D%22embed-iframe%22%20style%3D%22border-radius%3A12px%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//open.spotify.com/embed/episode/5udLT4gMAjUbPdONFJoTl0%3Futm_source%3Dgenerator%22%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22152%22%20frameBorder%3D%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3D%22%22%20allow%3D%22autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20fullscreen%3B%20picture-in-picture%22%20loading%3D%22lazy%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%23%23%23%0A%0A%23%23%23%2001%3A17%20-%20Growing%20up%20as%20a%20sibling%20and%20carer%0AAoife%20shares%20her%20experience%20growing%20up%20as%20the%20older%20sister%20of%20Roshin%2C%20who%20has%20an%20intellectual%20disability%2C%20autism%2C%20and%20type%201%20diabetes.%20She%20explains%20how%20the%20lack%20of%20community%20support%20forced%20her%20family%20to%20take%20on%20all%20caregiving%20responsibilities.%20She%20emphasizes%20how%20families%20must%20fight%20for%20even%20basic%20rights%2C%20making%20daily%20life%20exhausting%20and%20emotionally%20draining.%20Unlike%20typical%20siblings%2C%20her%20caring%20duties%20intensified%20over%20time%20instead%20of%20decreasing.%0A%0A%23%23%23%2006%3A22%20-%20Maintaining%20a%20sibling%20relationship%0ADespite%20the%20caregiving%20role%2C%20Aoife%20talks%20about%20how%20she%20and%20her%20sister%20stay%20connected%20through%20daily%20calls%20and%20visits.%20She%20hopes%20Roshin%20will%20remain%20part%20of%20her%20community%20rather%20than%20being%20isolated%20in%20segregated%20settings.%20Aoife%20encourages%20siblings%20to%20seek%20support%20for%20themselves%2C%20acknowledging%20that%20their%20experiences%20are%20different%20from%20their%20peers.%20She%20shares%20how%20finding%20a%20community%20of%20siblings%20in%20similar%20situations%20helped%20her%20feel%20less%20alone.%0A%0A%23%23%23%2010%3A27%20-%20How%20this%20experience%20shaped%20Aoife%u2019s%20career%0ASeeing%20the%20barriers%20her%20sister%20faced%20motivated%20Aoife%20to%20work%20in%20disability%20advocacy.%20She%20describes%20how%20anger%20at%20the%20system%20turned%20into%20a%20passion%20for%20change%2C%20leading%20her%20to%20her%20role%20at%20Autism%20Europe.%0A%0A%23%23%23%2012%3A39%20-%20Inge%20Volleberg%20on%20her%20relationship%20with%20her%20sister%0AInge%20talks%20about%20her%20close%20relationship%20with%20her%20sister%20Esther%2C%20who%20has%20Down%20syndrome.%20Despite%20moving%20away%20for%20university%2C%20they%20stay%20connected%20through%20regular%20calls%20and%20visits.%20Inge%20highlights%20how%20most%20family%20support%20is%20focused%20on%20parents%2C%20leaving%20siblings%20without%20guidance%20or%20emotional%20assistance.%20She%20calls%20for%20structured%20support%20for%20siblings%2C%20recognising%20their%20unique%20experiences.%0A%0A%23%23%23%2016%3A05%20-%20Facing%20stigma%20and%20discrimination%0AAs%20a%20child%2C%20Inge%20didn%u2019t%20see%20her%20family%20as%20different%20until%20she%20noticed%20how%20society%20treated%20them.%20From%20bullying%20to%20unequal%20treatment%2C%20she%20recalls%20how%20people%20either%20discriminated%20against%20or%20overly%20pitied%20her%20sister.%20Inge%20describes%20how%20siblings%20of%20disabled%20people%20often%20feel%20invisible.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%2019%3A15%20-%20Finding%20a%20support%20network%0AInge
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Withdraws equal treatment directive","European Commission,European Union",{"alt":1169,"picture":1170},"Logo of the European Commission","https://str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f206.png","There%20are%208%20initiatives%2C%20that%20are%20of%20specific%20importance%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0A**It%20is%20worth%20noting%20that%20the%20Commission%27s%20work%20programme%20%5Bdoes%20not%20include%20specific%20initiatives%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/european-commission-confirms-update-to-the-disability-rights-strategy/%29%20related%20to%20the%20EU%20Disability%20Rights%20Strategy.**%0A%0AAll%20these%20initiatives%20%28except%20one%29%20are%20%22non-legislative%22%2C%20meaning%20they%20do%20not%20represent%20legal%20texts%20%28laws%29%2C%20but%20rather%20policies%20and%20strategies.%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20will%20work%20to%20bring%20their%20views%20and%20expectations%20into%20these%20initiatives%20and%20policies.%0AHere%2C%20we%20highlight%20what%20the%20European%20Commission%20plans%20to%20do%20in%202025%2C%20and%20we%20sceth%20out%20how%20it%20is%20relevant%20to%20us.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Action%20plan%20for%20European%20Pillar%20of%20Social%20Rights%2C%20Q4%20%0A%0AThe%20European%20Pillar%20of%20Social%20Rights%20defines%2020%20principles%20for%20the%20European%20Union%20to%20become%20more%20inclusive%20and%20fairer%20and%20to%20improve%20the%20lives%20of%20all%20European%20citizens.%0A%0AThe%20%5BEuropean%20Pillar%20of%20Social%20Rights%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/social-pillar/%29%20specifically%20recognises%20the%20right%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20to%20inclusion%20%28Principle%2017%29.%0A%0AOther%20principles%20are%20relevant%20for%20persons%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%3A%20%20%0A%0A*%20inclusive%20education%20and%20training%20and%20access%20to%20life-long%20learning%20opportunities%3B%0A*%20person-centred%20support%20and%20assistance%20for%20employment%20and%20self-employment%3B%0A*%20Fair%20and%20%5Bequal%20working%20conditions%3B%5D%28www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%0A*%20home-care%20and%20community-based%20services%3B%0A*%20social%20%5Bhousing%3B%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-issues-ideas-practices%29%0A*%20and%20more.%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Quality%20jobs%20roadmap%2C%20Q4%3B%20Union%20of%20Skills%2C%20Q1%0A%0AWhat%20are%20these%20initiatives%20going%20to%20do%20about%20the%20massive%20difference%20between%20employment%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20and%20non-disabled%20population%3F%0A%0AAnd%20especially%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%3F%0A%0AAlso%20in%20access%20to%20trainings%2C%20skills%20development%2C%20life-long%20learning%3F%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20European%20Democracy%20Shield%2C%20Q3%0A%0ASurely%2C%20it%27ll%20deal%20with%20the%20fact%20EU%20countries%20%5Bdeny%20people%20their%20right%20to%20vote%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-elections-manifesto-2024%29%20because%20of%20legal%20capacity.%0AAnd%20with%20elections%20accessibility%2C%20including%20in%20terms%20of%20information.%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20EU%20Strategy%20to%20support%2C%20protect%20and%20empower%20the%20civil%20society%2C%20Q3%0A%0ASelf-advocacy%20organisations%20and%20groups%20are%20more%20frequently%20than%20not%20excluded%20from%20public%20decision-making%2C%20lack%20necessary%20resources%20etc.%20%0A%0A%0A%0A**There%20are%20also%20proposals%20for%3A**%0A%0A*%20Equality%20Roadmap%20for%20Women%u2019s%20Rights%2C%20Q1%0A*%20Equality%20New%20equality%20strategies%20for%20LGBTIQ%2C%20and%20Anti-racism%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Post-2027%20Multiannual%20Financial%20Framework%20proposals%2C%20Q3%20-%20law%0A%0AHow%20the%20EU%20will%20be%20spending%20its%20money%3A%20What%20kind%20of%20priorities%2C%20how%20much.%0AWhat%20will%20it%20do%20for%2020%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20family%20members%3F%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Already%20in%20the%20works%20-%20directive%20to%20make%20deprivation%20of%20legal%20capacity%20easier%0A%0AProposal%20for%20a%20regulation%20on%20jurisdiction%2C%20applicable%20law%2C%20recognition%20and%20enforcement%20of%20measures%20and%20cooperation%20in%20matters%20relating%20to%20the%20protection%20of%20adults%0A%0A-%20Making%2
800life%20easier%20for%20countries%20that%20deny%20people%20their%20legal%20capacity.%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Equal%20Treatment%20Directive%20withdrawn%0A%0AThe%20European%20Commission%20is%20withdrawing%20the%20proposal%20for%20%22directive%20on%20implementing%20the%20principle%20of%20equal%20treatment%20between%20persons%20irrespective%20of%20religion%20or%20belief%2C%20DISABILITY%2C%20age%20or%20sexual%20orientation%20%0A%0A-%20The%20reason%20given%20by%20the%20European%20Commission%3A%20%22the%20proposal%20is%20blocked%20and%20further%20progress%20is%20unlikely.%22%0A%0A%0A%0A","2025 work plan of the European Commission includes several items very important to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. It also revealed the Commission withdraws its proposed Equal Treatment Directive.","/european-commission-plans-for-2025%3B-withdraws-equal-treatment-directive","2025-02-14T11:17:18.000Z","2025-02-14T11:23:13.000Z",{"idx":1177,"title":1178,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1179,"picture":1180,"content_e2r":10,"content":1183,"excerpt":1184,"default_type":29,"url":1185,"created_at":1186,"modified_at":1187,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},127,"\"We keep advocating for our rights, even when the authorities say it's not a priority during war\" ","Ukraine, Inclusion Ukraine,Inclusion ASBL",{"alt":1181,"picture":1182},"Olena, Hanna, and Raisa in the European Parliament","https://str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f20a.jpeg","On%2012%20-%2012%20February%202025%2C%20Ukrainian%20delegation%20took%20part%20if%20various%20meetings%20and%20discussions%2C%20informing%20about%20the%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0AThey%20visited%20the%20EU%20Parliament%20to%20learn%20about%20EU%20democracy%20and%20how%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20represented%20in%20the%20EU.%20%0A%0AThey%20visited%20%5BInclusion%20ASBL%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-asbl.be/%29%20to%20talk%20about%20how%20to%20improve%20easy-to-read%20in%20Ukraine%20and%20in%20Belgium.%20%0A%0A%0A%21%5BMeeting%20Inclusion%20ASBL%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f209.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0AThe%20next%20day%2C%20the%20VGO%20Coalition%20met%20with%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Disability%20Forum%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/%29%20to%20present%20the%20situation%20in%20the%20country%2C%20and%20to%20discuss%20all%20the%20work%20done%20%5Bin%20our%20joint%20project.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/supporting-rights-and-inclusion-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-in-ukraine%29%0A%0ALater%2C%20they%20presented%20%5Bthe%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-in-ukraine.-report-on-their-situation-and-impact-of-war%29%20to%20representatives%20of%20the%20European%20Commission%20who%20are%20working%20on%20Ukraine%20EU%20membership%20process.%20%0A%0A-%20Hanna%20Solovei%2C%20self-advocate%20from%20Inclusion%20Ukraine%2C%20presented%20her%20engagement%20for%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A-%20Over%2020%2C000%20people%20with%20intellectual%20and%20psychosocial%20disabilities%20live%20in%20large%20institutions%2C%20100%20in%20smaller%20institutions%2C%20and%201%2C000%20in%20psychiatric%20hospitals.%0A-%20Over%2040%2C000%20people%20had%20their%20legal%20capacity%20removed%2C%20preventing%20them%20from%20making%20decisions%2C%20including%20voting.%0A-%20The%20situation%20has%20gotten%20worse%20because%20of%20the%20Russian%20war.%20For%20example%2C%20support%20services%20are%20disrupted%20and%20very%20hard%20to%20access.%20%0A%0A%21%5BVisiting%20the%20European%20Disability%20Forum%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f208.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Who%20took%20part%20in%20the%20visit%0A%0A**Hanna%20Solovei**%20is%20a%20self-advocate%20from%20%5BInclusion%20Ukraine%5D%28www.inclusion-ukraine.com%29%20Inclusion%20Ukraine%20is%20a%20self-advocacy%20movement.%20Together%2C%20they%20keep%20advocating%20for%20their%20rights%2
80C%20even%20though%20the%20Ukrainian%20authorities%20say%20this%20is%20not%20a%20priority%20in%20times%20of%20war.%20%0A%0A**Raisa%20Kravchenko**%20is%20also%20a%20mother%20of%20her%20son%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20She%20dedicated%20her%20life%20to%20creating%20a%20better%20life%20for%20her%20son.%20She%20also%20advocates%20for%20her%20son%u2019s%20rights%20and%20for%20the%20rights%20of%20all%20Ukrainians%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A**Olena%20Tsarenko**%20is%20a%20mother%20of%20a%20child%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20She%20fears%20every%20day%20about%20the%20future%20of%20her%20child%20in%20Ukraine.%20As%20a%20journalist%2C%20she%20uses%20the%20media%20to%20raise%20awerness%20about%20the%20challenges%20faced%20by%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20%0A%0A%0A%21%5BOlena%20Tsarenko%2C%20Hanna%20Solovei%2C%20Raisa%20Kravchenko%20in%20Inclusion%20Europe%20office%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f207.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0ADuring%20the%20visit%2C%20the%203%20women%20also%20recorded%20an%20interview%20which%20will%20be%20soon%20available%20on%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20Radio%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/podcast%29%0A%0A**See%20also%3A**%20%5BOther%20events%20organised%20by%20Inclusion%20Europe.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/events-2025%29%0A%0A","Representatives of Ukrainian people with intellectual disabilities and their families visited Brussels to present situation in their country, discuss how it needs to be improved, and to learn about the work being done in other countries.","/%22we-keep-advocating-for-our-rights-even-when-the-authorities-say-it's-not-a-priority-during-war%22","2025-02-14T11:48:55.000Z","2025-02-14T12:24:25.000Z",{"idx":1189,"title":1190,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1191,"picture":1192,"content_e2r":10,"content":1195,"excerpt":1196,"default_type":29,"url":1197,"created_at":1198,"modified_at":1199,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},128,"Self-advocates meet for better political and social participation in Slovakia","Unity project,Slovakia,self-advocacy,Ana Martinez",{"alt":1193,"picture":1194},"Ana Martinez and Juraj Å 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self-advocacy conference 2025","Hear our Voices,Hear our Voices 2025,self-advocacy,EPSA",{"alt":1205,"picture":1206},"Hear our Voices!","https://str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f213.jpg","Dear%20Self-Advocates.%0A%0AI%20want%20to%20invite%20you%20to%20join%20the%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%20self-advocacy%20conference%21%0ATo%20help%20us%20create%20the%20self-advocacy%20conference%20anywhere%20in%20Europe.%0ATo%20be%20part%20of%20our%20movement.%0A%0AWe%20need%20you%20to%20make%20changes%20happen%21%20%0AWe%20want%20self-advocates%u2019%20voices%20to%20sound%20strong%20in%20Europe.%20%20%20%0A%0AThis%20year%2C%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%20self-advocacy%20conference%20is%20about%20%20%22Being%20Heard%2C%20Being%20Seen%22.%20%20%0A%0AThe%20conference%20is%20a%20series%20of%20events%20organised%20by%20self-advocates%20all%20over%20Europe.%20%0AYou%20can%20organise%20discussions%20online%20or%20in%20person.%20%20%0A%0AWe%20want%20to%20build%20an%20inclusive%20Europe.%20%0AI%20believe%20that%20we%20can%20do%20it%20together%21%20%20%20%0A%0A**L%E1szl%F3%20Bersce%2C**%0AChair%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%2C%20Vice-President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A%0A%0A%21%5BL%E1szl%F3%20Bersce%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f211.jpg%29%0A%0A%0A*%20**%5BAll%20information%20on%20how%20to%20be%20part%20of%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%20self-advocacy%20conference%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f210.pdf%29**%20%28.pdf%29%0A*%20See%20here%20%5Bwhich%20events%20are%20part%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/self-advocacy-events-hear-our-voices%21-events-2025%29%20of%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%202025.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20is%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%20self-advocacy%20conference%0A%0A%5BHear%20our%20Voices%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/hear-our-voices%29%20is%20a%20**big%20self-advocacy%20event.**%0A%0AIt%20happens%20every%20two%20years%20in%20different%20countries%20in%20Europe.%20%20It%20is%20a%20time%20for%20self-advocates%20to%20meet%2C%20talk%2C%20and%20make%20change%20happen%21%0A%0AThe%20conference%20is%20**organised%20by%20self-advocates%20for%20self-advocates.**%20%0AThe%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%20%28%5BEPSA%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-platform-of-self-advocates%29%29%20organises%20the%20event%2C%20deciding%20on%20topics%20and%20speakers.%0AEPSA%20is%20part%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%0A**More%20than%201%2C300%20people%20have%20attended%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21**%20self-advocacy%20conferences%20since%20the%20first%20conference%20in%202009.%20%20Most%20of%20the%20participants%20are%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A**Don%u2019t%20miss%20the%20opportunity%20to%20be%20one%20of%20them.**%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Why%20you%20should%20organise%20an%20event%20%0A%0ABe%20part%20of%20the%20strong%20tradition%20of%20self-advocacy%20in%20Europe%3A%0ASelf-advocates%20come%20together%20for%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%20self-advocacy%20conferences%20since%202009.%0A%0A**Support%20self-advocates**%20%u2013%20Help%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20speak%20up.%0A%0A**Contribute%20to%20a%20strong%20movement**%20%u2013%20Connect%20with%20other%20self-advocates%20%20in%20Europe.%20%0A%0A**Make%20a%20difference**%20%u2013%20What%20self-advocates%20say%20at%20your%20event%20%20will%20be%20shared%20and%20heard%20in%20Europe%21%20%20%0A%0A**New%20connections**%20%u2013%20Meet%20self-advocates%20from%20your%20country%20and%20beyond.%20%0A%0A**Stronger%20voice**%20%u2013%20Learn%20how%20to%20
80advocate%20for%20your%20rights.%20%0A%0A**Recognition**%20%u2013%20Your%20ideas%20and%20stories%20will%20be%20shared%20across%20Europe.%20%0A%0A**Inspiration**%20%u2013%20Hear%20from%20others%20who%20have%20made%20a%20difference%21%0A%0A%23%23%23%20When%20and%20where%3F%20%0A%0A%5BLocal%20events%3A%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/self-advocacy-events-hear-our-voices%21-events-2025%29%0A%0A*%206%20%u2013%2019%20October%202025%0A*%20Organised%20by%20different%20organisations%20across%20Europe%0A*%20This%20is%20the%20event%20you%20can%20organise%20to%20join%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%0A%0AFinal%20event%3A%0A%0A*%20November%202025%0A*%20Organised%20by%20Inclusion%20Europe%20in%20Brussels%20and%20online%0A%0AWhen%20you%20organise%20an%20event%20as%20part%20of%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%20it%20means%20self-advocates%20in%20your%20country%20can%20take%20part.%0AHaving%20the%20conference%20done%20as%20local%20events%20makes%20it%20easier%20for%20many%20people%20to%20participate.%20%0AThe%20local%20event%20can%20be%20in%20the%20self-advocates%u2019%20own%20language%2C%20%20and%20does%20not%20need%20international%20travel.%20%0A%0A%21%5BHear%20our%20Voices%20in%20Tallinn%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f212.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20How%20can%20you%20organise%20an%20event%3F%0A%0AYour%20event%20can%20be%3A%0A%0A*%20A%20discussion%20%u2013%20A%20small%20meeting%20where%20people%20share%20ideas.%0A*%20A%20workshop%20%u2013%20Where%20self-advocates%20learn%20together.%0A*%20A%20conference%20%u2013%20A%20big%20event%20with%20speakers%20and%20different%20sessions.%0A*%20An%20online%20event%20%u2013%20To%20include%20more%20people%20who%20cannot%20travel.%0A%0AYou%20choose%20the%20topic%20that%20is%20most%20important%20in%20your%20country%21%20%20%0A%0AThe%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%20suggests%20these%20topics%3A%0A%0A*%20Speaking%20up%20%u2013%20Learning%20to%20be%20a%20strong%20self-advocate.%0A*%20Accessibility%20%u2013%20Making%20sure%20all%20places%20and%20services%20are%20for%20everyone.%0A*%20Education%20and%20jobs%20%u2013%20Fighting%20for%20the%20right%20to%20learn%20and%20work.%0A*%20Independent%20living%20%u2013%20Having%20control%20over%20your%20own%20life.%0A*%20Health%20and%20well-being%20%u2013%20Getting%20fair%20access%20to%20healthcare.%0A*%20Politics%20%u2013%20The%20right%20to%20vote%20and%20be%20part%20of%20decisions.%0A%0ASee%20here%20%5Bwhich%20events%20are%20part%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/self-advocacy-events-hear-our-voices%21-events-2025%29%20of%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%202025.%0A%0A%21%5BHear%20our%20Voices%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f214.jpg%29%0A%0A%0A*%20**%5BAll%20information%20on%20how%20to%20be%20part%20of%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%20self-advocacy%20conference%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f210.pdf%29**%20%28.pdf%29%0A","Be part of it! \nOrganise events in your country.\n","/hear-our-voices!-self-advocacy-conference-2025","2025-03-07T10:29:51.000Z","2025-08-29T16:22:25.000Z",{"idx":1213,"title":1214,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1215,"picture":1216,"content_e2r":10,"content":1218,"excerpt":1219,"default_type":29,"url":1220,"created_at":1221,"modified_at":1222,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},130,"International women's day: putting the spotlight on women as caregivers to family members with intellectual disabilities ","women,support",{"alt":132,"picture":1217},"https://str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f215.jpeg","Mothers%2C%20sisters%2C%20aunts%2C%20daughters%20and%20grandmothers%20often%20take%20on%20the%20role%20of%20caregiver%20for%20their%20family%20members%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20The%20work%20they%20do%20often%20remains%20invisible%2C%20unpaid%2C%20and%20unrecognised.%20%20%0A%0AThe%20effects%20of%20taking%20on%20such%20care%20responsibilities%20can%20impact%20women%20negatively.%20Around%207.7%20million%20%5Bwomen%20are%20not%20working%5D%28https%3A//ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/files/document/print/en/ip_22_5169/IP_22_5169_EN.pdf%29%20because%20of%20care%20responsibilities%2C%20leaving%20them%20at%20a%20higher%20risk%20of%20poverty%2C%20decreased%20pension%20and%20%5Bsocial%20exclusion.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Briefing-Poverty-of-persons-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-2020.pdf%29%20%20%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20reasons%20why%20female%20family%20members%20take%20on%20so%20much%20care%20work%20is%20the%20lack%20of%20accessible%2C%20affordable%20and%20good%20quality%20care%20services%20across%20Europe.%20Sometimes%2C%20formal%20care%20services%20are%20simply%20not%20available%2
800at%20all.%20This%20affects%20not%20only%20the%20people%20with%20%28intellectual%29%20disabilities%20themselves%2C%20but%20their%20families%20too.%20Informal%20care%20provided%20by%20parents%20still%20makes%20up%20the%20brunt%20of%20care%20and%20support%20work%20people%20with%20disabilities%20receive%20today.%20%20%0A%0AWhile%20this%20applies%20to%20both%20male%20and%20female%20family%20members%2C%20research%20by%20the%20European%20Institute%20for%20%5BGender%20Equality%5D%28https%3A//eige.europa.eu/publications-resources/publications/gender-equality-and-long-term-care-home%29%20showed%20that%2062%25%20of%20people%20providing%20informal%20long-term%20care%20in%20the%20EU%20are%20women.%20%0A%0AIn%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Care%20Strategy%5D%28https%3A//ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_5169%29%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20urged%20Member%20States%20to%20establish%20national%20action%20plans%20to%20make%20care%20in%20the%20EU%20more%20available%2C%20accessible%20and%20of%20better%20quality%20for%20all.%20This%20is%20important%20so%20that%20women%20can%20go%20back%20to%20being%20family%20members%20to%20their%20loved%20ones%20instead%20of%20care%20providers.%20%0A%0AAs%20former%20Commissioner%20for%20Equality%2C%20%5BHelena%20Dalli%20said%3A%5D%28https%3A//ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/files/document/print/en/ip_22_5169/IP_22_5169_EN.pdf%29%3A%20%27**investing%20in%20care%20is%20an%20investment%20in%20gender%20equality%20and%20social%20fairness.%20%28...%29%20Investing%20in%20care%20is%20about%20ensuring%20equal%20choice%2C%20dignity%2C%20and%20self-determination%27.**%0A%0AWe%20agree%21%20%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20recognises%20the%20work%20women%20put%20in%20to%20care%20and%20support%20their%20loved%20ones%2C%20where%20formal%20care%20services%20fail%20them.%20Investing%20in%20quality%20of%20care%20and%20the%20accessibility%20of%20services%20is%20key%2C%20so%20that%20mothers%2C%20sisters%2C%20grandmothers%2C%20daughters%20and%20aunts%20across%20Europe%20can%20be%20family%20members%2C%20and%20just%20that%2C%20to%20their%20loved%20ones%20again%21%20%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Read%20more%3A%0A%0A-%20%5BSiblings%20issue%3A%20stories%20of%20love%20and%20support%20-%20Europe%20for%20us%20magazine%204/2023%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-magazine-4-2023%29%0A%0A-%20%5BGrowing%20up%20as%20a%20sibling%20of%20a%20person%20with%20disabilities%2C%20with%20Aoife%20McGarry%20and%20Inge%20Volleberg%20-%20Inclusion%20Europe%20Radio%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/growing-up-as-a-sibling-of-a-person-with-disabilities-with-aoife-mcgarry-and-inge-volleberg---inclusion-europe-radio%29","For International Women's Day 2025, we want to put the spotlight on all the women who take care of their family members with intellectual disabilities. ","/international-women-s-day-2024","2025-03-07T16:05:57.000Z","2025-03-07T16:09:56.000Z",{"idx":1224,"title":1225,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1226,"picture":1227,"content_e2r":10,"content":1230,"excerpt":1231,"default_type":29,"url":1232,"created_at":1233,"modified_at":1234,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},131,"Inclusion Europe Board meeting March 2025","Inclusion Europe,Board",{"alt":1228,"picture":1229},"Board members during their meeting 26 - 27 November 2024.","https://str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f216.jpg","The%20Board%20reviewed%20our%20recent%20work%2C%20and%20discussed%20some%20short%20term%20plans%3A%0A%0AGood%20reflection%20on%20%5Bthe%20high-level%20event%20at%20the%20European%20Parliament%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-event%29%20in%20December%20last%20year%2C%20dedicated%20to%20Inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0AAppreciation%20of%20the%20%5Bwork%20done%20by%20our%20members%20in%20Ukraine%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/%2522we-keep-advocating-for-our-rights-even-when-the-authorities-say-it%2527s-not-a-priority-during-war%2522%29%20as%20part%20of%20a%20project%20finished%20this%20February.%0A%0ADisappointment%20that%20%5Bour%20work%20supporting%20self-advocacy%20and%20deinstitutionalisation%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/judy-project%29%20in%20Eastern%20Europe%20cannot%20continue%20right%20now%20as%20the%20project%20was%20terminated%20by%20the%20US%20State%2
800Department.%0A%0AInvitation%20for%20all%20self-advocates%20in%20Europe%20to%20%5Bparticipate%20in%20Hear%20our%20Voices%21%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/hear-our-voices%21-self-advocacy-conference-2025%29%20self-advocacy%20conference%20later%20this%20year.%0A%22We%20need%20you%20to%20make%20changes%20happen%21%20%0AWe%20want%20self-advocates%u2019%20voices%20to%20sound%20strong%20in%20Europe.%22%0A%0AWelcoming%202%20new%20membership%20applications%20to%20join%20Inclusion%20Europe%20as%20members%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates.%0A%0APreparing%20the%20General%20Assembly%20which%20takes%20place%203%20-%204%20June%20in%20Berlin%2C%20together%20with%20a%20number%20of%20workshops%20and%20study%20visits%20for%20Inclusion%20Europe%20members.%0AThe%20General%20Assembly%20will%20be%20electing%20our%20new%20president.%0A%0AAfter%20the%20Board%20meeting%2C%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%20said%3A%0A%22It%20is%20always%20a%20pleasure%20and%20an%20honour%20to%20participate%20in%20these%20conversations%20with%20self-advocates%2C%20family%20members%2C%20and%20everyone%20else%20on%20%5Bthe%20Board.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/staff%29%0ASo%20much%20experience%20and%20resilience%20around%20the%20table.%22%0A%0A%5BPrevious%20Board%20meeting.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/mateja-de-reya-elected-as-vice-president-of-inclusion-europe%29","Inclusion Europe Board meeting took place on 10 March, online.","/inclusion-europe-board-meeting-march-2025","2025-03-11T12:19:12.000Z","2025-03-11T12:20:54.000Z",{"idx":1236,"title":1237,"author":258,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1238,"picture":1239,"content_e2r":10,"content":1241,"excerpt":1242,"default_type":29,"url":1243,"created_at":1244,"modified_at":1245,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},132,"EU money for inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their families","money,funding,european union,EU budget",{"alt":132,"picture":1240},"https://str.inclusion.eu/2d4579f6c84f4d11e28c4f50b.jpg","New%20%5Bposition%20paper%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f217.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%20highlights%20the%20importance%20of%20EU%20funding%20for%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20argues%20that%20public%20money%20must%20be%20conditional%20on%20respecting%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20as%20guaranteed%20by%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28CRPD%29.%0A%0ABut%2C%20public%20money%20is%20sometimes%20used%20to%20support%20segregation.%20Despite%20EU%20regulations%20and%20guidance%20encouraging%20investment%20in%20independent%20living%20and%20inclusion%2C%20segregating%20practices%20like%20funding%20institutions%20persist.%0A%0AThe%20paper%20outlines%20these%20topics%2C%20providing%20specific%20ideas%20and%20examples%3A%0A%0A*%20The%20importance%20of%20investing%20in%20people%2C%20their%20skills%20and%20inclusion%0A*%20Conditions%20to%20
80achieve%20inclusion%20with%20public%20money%0A*%20What%20public%20money%20should%20be%20used%20for%20to%20support%20the%20right%20to%20decide%2C%20right%20to%20live%20independently%20and%20to%20be%20included%2C%20housing%20and%20support%2C%20education%2C%20employment%2C%20health%20care%2C%20and%20representation.%0A%0A**Position%20paper%3A**%20%5BEU%20money%20for%20inclusion%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f217.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Read%20more%3A%0A%0A%5BThe%20Use%20of%20EU%20money%20for%20independent%20living%20and%20inclusion%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/call-to-action-use-of-eu-money%29%0A%0A%5BInclusion%20indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%0A%0A%5BLiving%20independently%20and%20being%20included%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29%0A","Money is not everything. But how you spend it says a lot about what really matters to you.","/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024","2025-03-13T09:57:29.000Z","2025-12-01T15:56:45.000Z",{"idx":1247,"title":1248,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1249,"picture":1250,"content_e2r":10,"content":1253,"excerpt":1254,"default_type":29,"url":1255,"created_at":1256,"modified_at":1257,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},133,"European Union reviewed by the CRPD Committee - What happens at the conference in Geneva?","European Union,CRPD Committee,UN CRPD",{"alt":1251,"picture":1252},"European disability organisations' representatives in Geneva","https://str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f21a.png","You%20can%20%5Bwatch%20the%20conference%20here%5D%28https%3A//webtv.un.org/en/asset/k14/k146hoxars%29%20and%20%5Bread%20a%20summary%20here.%5D%28https%3A//www.ohchr.org/en/meeting-summaries/2025/03/dialogue-european-union-experts-committee-rights-persons-disabilities%29%20%20%0A%0A%5BConcluding%20observations.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-should-do-better-crpd-committee-reviews-disability-rights-situation%29%0A%0A%0A**Freddy%20Jussien%2C**%20Advocacy%20Lead%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20was%20in%20Geneva%20and%20gives%20us%20an%20inside%20look%20at%20the%20conference.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Months%20of%20work%20in%20preparation%20%20%0A%0AThe%20process%20began%20long%20before%20the%20official%20conference.%20The%20European%20Disability%20Forum%20%28EDF%29%20coordinated%20input%20from%20disability%20organisations%20%28Inclusion%20Europe%20among%20them%29%2C%20to%20provide%20the%20UN%20CRPD%20Committee%20with%20a%20reality%20check%20on%20the%20situation%20in%20Europe.%20%20%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20contribution%20to%20the%20report%20showed%20%5Bsome%20stark%20facts%3A%5D%28www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20%20%0A%0A-%20**Over%20800%2C000%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities**%20live%20in%20large%20institutions%20across%20the%20EU.%20%20%0A-%20**%5BLegal%20capacity%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%20can%20still%20be%20fully%20removed**%20in%208%20countries%20and%20partially%20removed%20in%2015%20%u2014%20leaving%20many%20unable%20to%20vote%20in%20EU%20elections.%20%20%0A-%20**Too%20few%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities**%20work%2C%20learn%2C%20or%20train%20within%20EU%20institutions.%20%20%0A%0AAhead%20of%20the%20Geneva%20conference%2C%20**Soufiane%20El%20Amrani**%2C%20a%20self-advocate%20and%20accessibility%20expert%2C%20%5Braised%20these%20concerns%5D%28https%3A//www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7297905027354951680%29%20directly%20with%20the%20UN%20CRPD%20Committee.%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/HbLtFkAvl8E%3Fsi%3DKBlu6YnfXeQB31ue%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Behind%20the%20scene%20in%20Geneva%20%20%0A%0AWhile%20the%20EU%20presented%20its%20official%20report%2C%20disability%20advocates%20%28including%20Freddy%20on%20behalf%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%29%20were%20busy%20behind%20the%20scenes%2C%20holding
80%20meetings%20with%20CRPD%20Committee%20members%20before%20both%20sessions.%20%20%0A%0ATheir%20goal%3F%20To%20ensure%20the%20Committee%20members%20had%20the%20full%20picture.%20%20%0A%0AGovernments%20like%20to%20talk%20about%20their%20progress%20and%20show%20only%20the%20positivies.%20These%20informal%20discussions%20help%20the%20Committee%20get%20the%20full%20picture%2C%20and%20be%20better%20prepared%20to%20ask%20targeted%20questions.%20%20%0A%0AFor%20example%2C%20the%20EU%20promoted%20its%20**%u20AC1.7%20billion%20investment%20in%20community-based%20services**%20%u2014%20but%20failed%20to%20mention%20that%20**1.5%20million%20people%20still%20live%20in%20institutions%2C**%20or%20that%20institutions%20continue%20to%20receive%20EU%20funding.%20Thanks%20to%20the%20delegation%u2019s%20input%2C%20the%20Committee%20challenged%20this%20contradiction.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20happens%20next%3F%20%20%0A%0AThe%20UN%20CRPD%20Committee%20will%20now%20issue%20**%5BConcluding%20observations%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-should-do-better-crpd-committee-reviews-disability-rights-situation%29**%20%u2014%20a%20report%20summarising%20the%20situation%20and%20providing%20recommendations.%20%20%0A%0AWe%20will%20inform%20you%20about%20them%20when%20the%20report%20is%20published.%0A%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/sZCa2_sMKW4%3Fsi%3D3eY1NGch4yf-KY_c%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A","Last week, Europeâs disability movement closely followed the UN review of the EUâs progress on disability rights. Five years after its last evaluation, the EU was once again assessed by the UN CRPD Committee on how well it upholds the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). ","/european-union-reviewed-by-the-crpd-committee-what-happens-at-the-conference-in-geneva","2025-03-19T18:01:44.000Z","2025-04-11T11:33:16.000Z",{"idx":1259,"title":1260,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":10,"picture":1261,"content_e2r":10,"content":1264,"excerpt":1265,"default_type":29,"url":1266,"created_at":1267,"modified_at":1268,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},135,"Inclusion Europe took part in a seminar on priorities for the European Semester 2025",{"alt":1262,"picture":1263},"Online call ","https://str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f21c.png","The%20%5BEuropean%20Semester%5D%28https%3A//commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/european-semester_en%29%20is%20an%20
80annual%20process%20that%20coordinates%20the%20EU%27s%20economic%20and%20social%20policies.%u202FDuring%20the%20Semester%2C%20EU%20Member%20States%20align%20their%20budgetary%20and%20economic%20policies%20with%20the%20objectives%20agreed%20upon%20at%20the%20EU%20level.%20Freddy%20Jussien%2C%20Advocacy%20lead%2C%20and%20Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%2C%20Accessibility%20expert%20from%20Inclusion%20Europe%20focused%20on%20three%20main%20themes.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Housing%20and%20support%20%0A%0AIn%20Europe%2C%20very%20few%20adults%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20live%20in%20their%20own%20place.%20For%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20making%20use%20of%20their%20right%20to%20adequate%20housing%20can%20be%20very%20hard%20and%2C%20in%20some%20cases%2C%20impossible.%20In%2019%20countries%20of%20the%20European%20Union%2C%20most%20adults%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20live%20with%20their%20parents.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Employment%20%0A%0AThe%20employment%20rate%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20is%20very%20low%20and%20they%20remain%20at%20risk%20of%20being%20underpaid%20and%20are%20less%20likely%20to%20be%20promoted.%20In%2023%20countries%2C%20few%20or%20no%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20employed%20in%20the%20open%20labour%20market.%20In%2015%20countries%2C%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20risk%20losing%20their%20disability%20benefits%20when%20they%20earn%20a%20salary.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Education%20%20%0A%0AOver%20half%20a%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20attend%20%u201Cspecial%20education%u201D%20schools%20where%20they%20are%20segregated%20from%20other%20children.%20Few%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20go%20to%20the%20same%20schools%20as%20all%20other%20children.%20Inclusion%20Europe%20believes%20that%20Europe%20needs%20to%20do%20much%20better%20to%20have%20policies%20and%20actions%20to%20improve%20this%20situation.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20The%20obstacles%20to%20employment%20%0A%0AConsidering%20the%20data%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%20considers%20employment%20the%20worst%20inclusion%20indicator%20with%20an%20average%20score%20of%204%20out%20of%2010.%20In%20this%20regard%2C%20Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%20shared%20important%20obstacles%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20in%20EU%20countries%20to%20access%20employment.%20%0A%0AFirst%2C%20employers%20and%20schools%20do%20not%20value%20enough%20skills%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%20%20%0A%0ASecond%2C%20countries%20do%20not%20ensure%20work%20in%20the%20open%20labour%20market.%20For%20the%20ones%20who%20must%20go%20to%20sheltered%20workshops%2C%20because%20there%20are%20no%20other%20solutions%2C%20countries%20do%20not%20always%20make%20sure%20they%20have%20real%20work%2C%20equal%20pay%20and%20rights.%20%0A%0AThird%2C%20many%20think%20that%20it%20is%20too%20difficult%20to%20adapt%20the%20workplace%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20because%20it%20requires%20money.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Ideas%20to%20change%20the%20situation%0A%0AWhen%20asked%20what%20solutions%20could%20improve%20employment%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20Freddy%20Jussien%20shared%20some%20ideas.%20At%20EU%20level%2C%20the%20Disability%20Employment%20Package%20is%20a%20good%20guidance%3B%20at%20the%20national%20level%20there%20also%20also%20some%20relevant%20inclusion%20measures.%20For%20example%2C%20the%20Breaking%20Barriers%20program%20in%20Scotland%2C%20or%20the%20Trinity%20College%20programme%20in%20Ireland%2C%20offer%20opportunities%20to%20study%20in%20higher%20education%20and%20to%20work%20in%20inclusive%20employment.%0A%0ARead%20more%3A%0A%5BInclusion%20indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%0A","Inclusion Europe participated in the online seminar on the priorities of the European Semester 2025 to discuss what should be done better in relation to employment, education and housing for people with intellectual disabilities. ","/inclusion-europe-took-part-in-a-seminar-on-priorities-for-the-european-semester-2025","2025-03-20T15:36:33.000Z","2025-03-21T10:19:20.000Z",{"idx":1270,"title":1271,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":10,"picture":1272,"content_e2r":10,"content":1275,"excerpt":1276,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1277,"created_at":1278,"modified_at":1279,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},136,"We keep advocating for our rights - Conversation with VGO Coalition from Ukraine",{"alt":1273,"picture":1274},"Three people siting on the sofa.","https://str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f21b.jpeg","Listen%20to%20the%20podcast%20%5Bhere.%5D%28https%3A//open.spotify.com/episode/3Hv3gIGRGeopPYIgL6Yl8z%3Fsi%3DZWY9G-LLQXeHUG5Ijwyyaw%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%2000%3A06%20Introducing%20our%20Ukrainian%20guests%0AHanna%20Solovei%20is%20a%20self-advocate%20from%20Inclusion%20Ukraine%20Inclusion%20Ukraine%20is%20a%20self-advocacy%20movement.%20Together%2C%20they%20keep%20advocating%20for%20their%20rights%2C%20even%20though%20the%20Ukrainian%20authorities%20say%20this%20is%20not%20a%20priority%20in%20times%20of%20war.%0A%0ARaisa%20Kravchenko%20is%20also%20a%20mother%20of%20a%20son%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20She%20dedicated%20her%20life%20to%20creating%20a%20better%20life%20for%20her%20son.%20She%20also%20advocates%20for%20her%20son%u2019s%20rights%20and%20the%20rights%20of%20all%20Ukrainians%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0AOlena%20Tsarenko%20is%20a%20mother%20of%20a%20child%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20She%20fears%20every%20day%20about%20the%20future%20of%20her%20child%20in%20Ukraine.%20As%20a%20journalist%2C%20she%20uses%20the%20media%20to%20raise%20awareness%20about%20the%20challenges%20faced%20by%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0A%23%23%23%2001%3A07%20Challenges%20faced%20by%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Ukraine%0A%0AThe%20discussion%20moves%20to%20the%20pressing%20issues%20affecting%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Ukraine%2C%20issues%20that%20existed%20even%20before%20the%20war.%20Recent%20reports%2C%20including%20one%20by%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20underscore%20the%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20The%20full-scale%20war%20has%20only%20worsened%20conditions%2C%20increasing%20the%20risk%20of%20institutionalization%20and%20reducing%20access%20to%20necessary%20services%20and%20support.%0A%0A%23%23%23%2003%3A34%20Self-advocacy%20efforts%20in%20Ukraine%0A%0AHanna%20Solovei%20talked%20about%20self-advocacy%20efforts%2C%20explaining%20how%20they%20are%20trained%20to%20communicate%20with%20authorities%20and%20work%20toward%20individual%20and%20collective%20rights.%20Hanna%20shared%20experiences%20at%20international%20conferences%2C%20emphasizing%20the%20valuable%20insights%20gained%20from%20self-advocates%20across%20Europe.%20The%20role%20of%20self-advocacy%20in%20Ukraine%20is%20very%20important%2C%20offering%20a%20platform%20for%20mutual%20learning%20and%20support.%0A%0A%23%23%23%2012%3A29%2
800Impact%20of%20war%20on%20daily%20life%20and%20services%0A%0ARaisa%20Kravchenko%20spoke%20about%20war%u2019s%20devastating%20impact%20on%20daily%20life%2C%20with%20regular%20routines%20shattered.%20Fear%20and%20uncertainty%20have%20a%20devastating%20impact%20on%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%22The%20situation%20is%20getting%20worse.%20We%20have%20the%20third%20year%20of%20the%20war%20and%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20can%27t%20go%20to%20shelters%20anymore.%20They%20can%27t%20receive%20any%20help%20because%20everything%27s%20ruined.%22%20Despite%20these%20challenges%2C%20there%20is%20support%20through%20online%20meetings%20and%20peer%20support%20systems%2C%20helping%20to%20maintain%20a%20sense%20of%20normality%20and%20mental%20health%20support.%0A%0A%23%23%23%2017%3A01%20Ukraine%27s%20path%20to%20European%20Union%20membership%0A%0AAs%20Ukraine%20moves%20towards%20European%20Union%20membership%2C%20our%20guests%20emphasize%20the%20importance%20of%20integrating%20European%20values%2C%20including%20respecting%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20They%20advocate%20for%20these%20issues%20to%20be%20at%20the%20forefront%20of%20Ukraine%u2019s%20commitments%20to%20the%20EU%2C%20requiring%20continuous%20dialogue%20and%20support%20from%20European%20institutions.%0A%0A%23%23%23%2020%3A38%20Future%20hopes%0A%0AThe%20episode%20closes%20with%20expressions%20of%20gratitude%20towards%20organizations%20like%20Inclusion%20Europe%20and%20European%20Disability%20Forum%2C%20for%20their%20support.%20Olena%20Tsarenko%20expressed%20her%20hope%20for%20continued%20cooperation%20and%20progress%2C%20underscoring%20the%20importance%20of%20maintaining%20solidarity%20and%20mutual%20support%20to%20navigate%20the%20challenges%20ahead.%20Hanna%20Solovei%20expressed%20her%20wishes%20for%20self-advocates%20across%20the%20world%20to%20stand%20firm%20in%20advocating%20for%20their%20rights.%0A%0A%0A%23%23%20Read%20more%3A%0A%5B%22We%20keep%20advocating%20for%20our%20rights%2C%20even%20when%20the%20authorities%20say%20it%27s%20not%20a%20priority%20during%20war%22%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/%2522we-keep-advocating-for-our-rights-even-when-the-authorities-say-it%2527s-not-a-priority-during-war%2522%29","Representatives of Ukrainian people with intellectual disabilities and their families were guests on Inclusion Europe radio.","/we-keep-advocating-for-our-rights---conversation-with-vgo-coalition-from-ukraine","2025-03-20T16:09:56.000Z","2025-03-20T16:22:57.000Z",{"idx":1281,"title":1282,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1283,"picture":1284,"content_e2r":10,"content":1287,"excerpt":1288,"default_type":29,"url":1289,"created_at":1290,"modified_at":1291,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},137,"This is what's wrong with proposal on cross-border protection of \"vulnerable adults\"","European Commission, legal capacity,cross-border",{"alt":1285,"picture":1286},"What is wrong with the proposed law on cross-border protection of adults?","https://str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f21e.png","The%20European%20Commission%20introduced%20a%20proposal%20for%20a%20Regulation%20governing%20the%20cross-border%20protection%20of%20adults%2C%20affecting%20directly%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20and%20older%20adults.%20%0A%0APersons%20with%20disabilities%20and%20older%20adults%20are%20considered%20unable%20to%20protect%20their%20interests%20in%20cross-border%20situations%2C%20such%20as%20having%20money%20abroad%2C%20seeking%20medical%20care%2C%20or%20relocating%20within%20the%20EU.%20%0A%0AOur%20concerns%3A%20**Several%20binding%20provisions%20are%20not%20in%20line%20with%20the%20UN%20CRPD.**%0A%0A-%20The%20recognition%20of%20deprivation%20of%20%5Blegal%20capacity%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%20across%20the%20Union.%0A-%20Unclear%20recognition%20of%20supported%20decision-making%20mechanisms.%0A-%20Facilitated%20cross-border%20placement%20in%20residential%20and%20psychiatric%20%5Binstitutions.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29%0A%0AEuropean%20Disability%20Forum%2C%20European%20Network%20on%20Independent%20Living%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20Mental%20Health%20Europe%20and%20AGE%20Platform%20Europe%20and%20also%20endorsed%20by%20the%20European%20Council%20of%20Autistic%20People%20propose%20amendments%20to%20the%20regulation.%0A%0A%5BSee%20this%20infographic%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/publications/what-is-wrong-with-the-proposed-law-on-cross-border-protection-of-adults-infographic/%29%20for%20more%20details.","We urge EU institutions to amend the Regulation on Protection of Adults in Cross-Border Situations to prevent human rights violations against persons with disabilities and older adults.","/this-is-what's-wrong-with-proposal-on-cross-border-protection-of-%22vulnerable-adults%22","2025-04-08T09:31:46.000Z","2025-04-08T09:31:55.000Z",{"idx":1293,"title":1294,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1295,"picture":1296,"content_e2r":10,"content":1299,"excerpt":1300,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1301,"created_at":1302,"modified_at":1303,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},138,"\"Governments think they know what is best for us, but they donât\"","Soufiane El Amrani,self-advocacy,Global Disability Summit,Inclusion International",{"alt":1297,"picture":1298},"Soufiane El Amrani","https://str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f221.jpg","*Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%20is%20self-advocate%2C%20and%20accessibility%20expert%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20Soufiane%20represent%27s%20European%20self-advocates%20at%20the%20Council%20of%20%5BInclusion%20International.%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/%29*%0A%0A*Soufiane%20spoke%20at%20a%20side-event%20during%20the%20%5BGlobal%20Disability%20Summit%5D%28https%3A//www.globaldisabilitysummit.org/%29%20in%20Berlin.%0AThis%20is%20what%20he%20said%3A*%0A%0A%21%5BSoufiane%20speaking%20at%20Global%20Disability%20Summit%20side-event.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f220.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%22Good%20morning.%0A%0ASelf-advocacy%20is%20very%20important%20because%20it%20means%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20have%20a%20say%20about%20things%20that%20have%20an%20impact%20on%20their%20lives.%0A%0AIt%20also%20means%20they%20can%20contribute%20their%20expertise%20and%20expectations.%20%0A%0ABut%20we%20are%20not%20always%20listened%20to.%0AThis%20needs%20to%20change%3A%20governments%2C%20agencies%2C%20and%20organisations%20must%20do%20better.%0A%0ADecision-makers%20must%20listen%20to%20what%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20have%20to%20say.%20%0A%0A**This%20starts%20with%20supporting%20the%20work%20of%20self-advocacy%20%0Aorganisations%20and%20groups.**%0A%0AThere%20needs%20to%20be%20money%20available%20to%20support%20the%20work%20of%20self-advocates.%0A%0AAnd%20countries%20that%20deny%20people%20legal%20capacity%20need%20to%20stop%20this.%0ANot%20having%20the%20right%20to%20decide%20also%20means%20people%20are%20not%20able%20to%20form%20self-advocacy%20organisations.%0A%0A**Another%20way%20of%20involving%20self-advocates%20in%20policy%20and%20decision%20making%20is%20to%20make%20meetings%20and%20documents%20accessible.%20**%0A%0AInformation%20for%20meetings%20needs%20to%20be%20%5Beasy-to-read%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-standards%253A-how-to-use-easy-to-read%29%20so%20that%20everyone%20can%20understand%20what%20is%20being%20talked%20about.%20%0A%0AThis%20applies%20to%20organisations%20and%20their%20board%20meetings%20too.%0A%0AReports%20and%20documents%20need%20to%20be%20easy%20to%20understand.%0AThey%20must%20be%20accessible%20and%20understandable.%0A%0AIt%20is%20not%20ok%20to%20give%20easy-to-read%20information%20late.%0AOr%20to%20give%20easy-to-read%20information%20that%20there%20is%20a%20document%20%0A%u2013%20but%20not%20what%20the%20document%20says.%20%0A%0A**And%20of%20course%2C%20it%20is%20also%20about%20having%20self-advocates%20as%20speakers%20and%20contributors%20to%20policy%20debates.**%0A%0AFor%20example%2C%20it%20is%20important%20to%20see%20someone%20who%20spent%20many%20years%20in%20institutions%20%5Bstand%20next%20to%20the%20EU%20Commissioner%20%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/helena-dalli-unfortunately-many-people-still-think-that-institutions-are-safe-places-this-is-simply-not-true/%29%20and%20talk%20about%20how%20deinstitutionalisation%20should%20be%20done.%0A%0AIt%20is%20also%20important%20to%20see%20self-advocates%20lead%20the%20work%20%0Ato%20inform%20about%20their%20situation.%20%0A%0A%5BI%20presented%20a%20report%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-event%29%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%20last%20December%2C%0Aat%20an%20event%20attended%20by%20many%20EU%20officials%20and%20politicians.%0A%0AI%20also%20took%20part%20in%20developing%20this%20report%2C%20called%20%5BInclusion%20indicators.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%0AI%20was%20part%20of%20the%20debates%20about%20what%20the%20report%20should%20be%20about%2C%20and%20how%20to%20make%20it%20accessible.%0A%0AL%E1szl%F3%20Bercse%2C%20chair%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%2C%20talked%20about%20%5Bwhat%20self-advocates%20expect%20from%20Europe.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/rights-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-must-be-respected-everywhere-all-the-time%29%0AAnd%20several%20Belgian%20self-advocates%20talked%20about%20what%20issues%20they%20face%20every%20day.%0A%0AI%20liked%20this%20as%20
80an%20example%20of%20how%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20can%20contribute%20to%20reports%20and%20policies%2C%20and%20to%20lead%20the%20conversation%20about%20them.%0A%0AI%20want%20to%20see%20more%20like%20this%20from%20all%20governments%20and%20organisations%20around%20the%20world.%22%0A%0A%21%5BSelf-advocates%20on%20stage%2C%20with%20over%20200%20participants%20in%20the%20room%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f21f.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A*Asked%20what%20his%20closing%20message%20was%20at%20the%20end%20of%20the%20session%2C%20Soufiane%20said%3A*%0A%0A**%22Never%20give%20up.%20Keep%20fighting%20for%20your%20rights.**%0A%0A**Governments%20think%20they%20know%20what%20is%20best%20for%20us%2C%20but%20they%20don%u2019t.**%20%0A%0A**We%20know%20what%20we%20need%2C%20and%20we%20need%20to%20tell%20them%20how%20we%20feel%21%22**%0A%0A-%20Read%20also%3A%20%5BSoufiane%27s%20speech%20at%20European%20Disability%20Summit%20last%20December.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/%2522international-cooperation-and-humanitarian-aid-need-to-focus-on-issues-important-to-us%2522%29%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn%3Ali%3AugcPost%3A7313852587219324928%3Fcollapsed%3D1%22%20height%3D%22399%22%20width%3D%22504%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3D%22%22%20title%3D%22Embedded%20post%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%0A%0A","How self-advocates successfully influence policies - that's the topic of Soufiane El Amrani's speech at the Global Disability Summit.","/governments-think-they-know-what-is-best-for-us-but-they-dont","2025-04-08T09:59:47.000Z","2025-05-13T14:32:34.000Z",{"idx":1305,"title":1306,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1307,"picture":1308,"content_e2r":10,"content":1311,"excerpt":1312,"default_type":29,"url":1313,"created_at":1314,"modified_at":1315,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},139,"Informacije pale savora - Easy-to-read guidelines in Romani","easy to read,Romani",{"alt":1309,"picture":1310},"Informacije pale savora","https://str.inclusion.eu/bc6c2449fd680c246c1cac103.jpg","%22Information%20for%20all%22%20standards%20for%20easy-to-read%20are%20now%20available%20in%20Romani.%0A%0AThe%20translation%20was%20done%20by%20Caritas%20Serbia.%0A%0AWe%20are%20especially%20happy%20to%20be%20able%20to%20publish%20the%20document%20on%208%20April%2C%20the%20International%20Romani%20Day.%0A%0AThe%20International%20Romani%20Day%20is%20a%20day%20to%20celebrate%20Romani%20culture%20and%20raise%20awareness%20of%20the%20issues%20facing%20Romani%20people.%0A%0A**Roma%20are%20Europe%u2019s%20largest%20ethnic%20minority.**%20Out%20of%20an%20estimated%2010%20to%2012%20million%20Roma%20living%20in%20Europe%2C%20approximately%206%20million%20are%20citizens%20or%20residents%20of%20%5Bthe%20EU.%5D%28https%3A//commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/combatting-discrimination/roma-eu/roma-equality-inclusion-and-participation-eu_en%29%0A%0ARead%20the%20%5Beasy-to-read%20in%20Romani%20here.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f223.pdf%29%0A%0AAll%20other%20versions%20of%20%5Beasy-to-read%20standards.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-standards-how-to-use-easy-to-read%29%0A","Standards for easy-to-read are now available in Romani. And we can publish them on the International Romani Day.","/informacije-pale-savora-easy-to-read-guidelines-in-romani","2025-04-08T16:09:39.000Z","2026-02-26T19:23:02.000Z",{"idx":1317,"title":1318,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1319,"picture":1320,"content_e2r":10,"content":1323,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":1324,"created_at":1325,"modified_at":1326,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},140,"Leadership and advocacy in disability rights - Conversation with Connie Laurin-Bowie, Inclusion Europe Radio","podcast,Inclusion International, disability rights ,Milan Å veÅepa,Inclusion Europe Radio",{"alt":1321,"picture":1322},"Inclusion Europe Radio - Connie Laurin-Bowie, Executive Director of Inclusion International","https://str.inclusion.eu/99b0628b2307ebc50a0862415.png","**Connie%20Laurin-Bowie%2C%20Executive%20Director%20of%20Inclusion%20International%2C%20sat%20down%20with%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%20after%20the%20%5BGlobal%20Disability%20Summit%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-europe-at-global-disability-summit-2025%29%20in%20Berlin.**%0A%0AWhat%20Connie%20and%20Milan%20talk%20about%3A%0A%0A-%20Importance%20of%20self-advocacy%2C%0A-%20Progress%20on%20issues%20such%20as%20deinstitutionalisation%20and%20inclusive%20education%2C%0A-%20Need%20for%20practical%20tools%20in%20advocacy%2C%20to%20change%20from%20%22raising%20awareness%22%20to%20being%20engaged%20in%20policy%20implementation%2C%0A-%20How%20plain%20language%20helps%20in%20participation.%0A%0AConnie%20also%20talks%20about%20leadership%20in%20the%20Inclusion%20movement.%20%0A%0AAnd%20about%20her%20upcoming%20role%20with%20the%20Disability%20Rights%20Fund.%20Connie%20steps%20down%20as%20Executive%20Director%20of%20%5BInclusion%20International%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/%29%20on%2014%20April%2C%20for%20her%20new%20job%20as%20Director%20of%20the%20%5BDisability%20Rights%20Fund%5D%28https%3A//www.disabilityrightsfund.org/%29%0A%0AFinally%2C%20Milan%20and%20Connie%20discuss%20the%20plans%20and%20expectations%20for%20the%20%5BWorld%20Congress%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/news-item/world-congress-registration/%29%20of%20Inclusion%20International.%0A%0A%23%23%23%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20data-testid%3D%22embed-iframe%22%20style%3D%22border-radius%3A12px%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6yIJjeqnVmuNUN6UHvmclL%3Futm_source%3Dgenerator%22%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22152%22%20frameBorder%3D%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3D%22%22%20allow%3D%22autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20fullscreen%3B%20picture-in-picture%22%20loading%3D%22lazy%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%0A%0A%23%23%23%20In%20this%20episode%0A%0A00%3A00%20Introduction%20and%20welcome%0A%0A00%3A13%20Global%20Disability%20Summit%20insights%0A%0A01%3A50%20Challenges%20and%20achievements%20in%20advocacy%0A%0A02%3A33%20The%20Role%20of%20self-advocates%0A%0A05%3A25%20Future%20directions%20and%20leadership%0A%0A12%3A40%20Importance%20of%20clear%20communication%0A%0A14%3A32%20Ongoing%20Issues%20and%20future%20challenges%0A%0A19%3A15%20Development%20challenges%20and%20knowledge%20sharing%0A%0A20%3A10%20Advocacy%20and%20practical%20solutions%0A%0A21%3A04%20Inclusive%20education%20and%20government%20criticism%0A%0A23%3A33%20Simplifying%20communication%20and%20expertise%0A%0A26%3A03%20Future%20leadership%20and%20network%20investment%0A%0A30%3A44%20New%20role%20and%20disability%20rights%20fund%0A%0A33%3A37%20World%20Congress%20and%20future%20plans%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%0A%0A**Listen%20to%20their%20conversation%20%5Bhere.%5D%28https%3A//spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/vwUyaKr6rSb%29**%0A%0A%0A%5BListen%20to%20more%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20Radio.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/podcast%29","/conversation-podcast-Connie-Laurin-Bowie","2025-04-11T09:28:19.000Z","2026-02-04T16:09:29.000Z",{"idx":1328,"title":1329,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1330,"picture":1331,"content_e2r":10,"content":1334,"excerpt":1335,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1336,"created_at":1337,"modified_at":1338,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},141,"EU should do better - CRPD Committee reviews disability rights situation","European Union,UN CRPD,CRPD Committee,legal capacity,EU funds,money,funding",{"alt":1332,"picture":1333},"EU flag, symbolic representation of CRPD Committee report (Still from video about the Committee)","https://str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f229.png","%0AThe%20United%20Nations%20Committee%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28%5BCRPD%20Committee%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/what-is-the-un-crpd-watch-our-new-easy-to-understand-video-to-find-out/%29%29%20reviewed%20how%20the%20European%20Union%20fulfills%20its%20obligations%20under%20the%20UN%20CRPD.%20There%20were%20many%20consultations%2C%20and%20a%20%5Bhearing%20in%20Geneva%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-union-reviewed-by-the-crpd-committee-what-happens-at-the-conference-in-geneva%29%20on%2011%20%u2013%2012%20March%202025%2C%20and%20now%20the%20Committee%20has%20%5Bpublished%20its%20conclusions.%5D%28https%3A//tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx%3Fsymbolno%3DCRPD%252FC%252FEUR%252FCO%252F2-3%26Lang%3Den%29%0A%0AIn%20this%20article%2C%20we%20summarise%20issues%20specifically%20important%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0AWe%20explain%3A%0A1.%09What%20the%20EU%20is%20doing%20well%0A2.%09What%20the%20main%20problems%20are%20and%20what%20the%20Committee%20recommends%0A3.%09What%20Inclusion%20Europe%20will%20do%20next%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Some%20progress%0A%0ASince%20the%20last%20review%20in%202015%2C%20the%20EU%20adopted%20the%20%5BDisability%20Rights%20Strategy%5D%28https%3A//commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/disability/union-equality-strategy-rights-persons-disabilities-2021-2030_en%29%202021%u20132030%20to%20promote%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities.%0A%0AAnd%20there%20have%20been%20important%20laws%20and%20initiatives%2C%20for%20example%3A%0A%0A-%20The%20%5BEuropean%20Accessibility%20Act%5D%28https%3A//commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/disability/union-equality-strategy-rights-persons-disabilities-2021-2030/european-accessibility-act_en%29%20%20was%20adopted%20to%20improve%20access%20to%20products%20and%20services%20like%20ATMs%2C%20smartphones%2C%20and%20computers.%0A-%20The%20%5BEuropean%20Disability%20Card%20and%20parking%20card%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/eu-disability-card/%29%20were%20introduced%20to%20help%20people%20with%20disabilities%20when%20travelling%20in%20the%20EU.%0A-%20The%20EU%20published%20%5Bguidance%20on%20how%20to%20use%20EU%20funds%20to%20support%20independent%20living.%5D%28https%3A//employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-adopts-guidance-independent-living-persons-disabilities-2024-11-20_en%29%0A%0A%21%5BEuropean%20disability%20organisations%20in%20Geneva%20%28group%20of%20people%20in%20a%20room%29%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f21a.png%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Concerns%20and%20recommendations%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20worked%20with%20the%20European%20Disability%20Forum%20and%20other%20disability%20organisations%20to%20bring%20the%20Committee%27s%20attention%20to%20specific%20issues.%0A%0A-%20Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%u2019s%20%5Bcontribution%20during%20a%20meeting%20with%20the%20CRPD%20Committee%5D%28https%3A//www.linkedin.com/posts/inclusion-europe_uncrpd-eudisability-inclusion-activity-7297905027354951680--CFS%3Futm_source%3Dshare%26utm_medium%3Dmember_desktop%26rcm%3DACoAACgc1xYBrdSPdBXjXFR_7RH-fjbpzRLMlMs%29%0A-%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20about%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Europe%0A-%20EDF%u2019s%20%5BAlternative%20report%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/eu-not-complying-with-treaty-on-disability-due-to-lack-of-political-leadership/%29%20for%20the%20second%20review%20of%20the%20European%20Union%20by%20the%20CRPD%20Committee%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Misuse%20of%20EU%20funds%20and%20lack%20of%20monitoring%0A%0AThe%20Committee%20is%20worried%20that%20EU%20money%20is%20still%20being%20used%20to%20support%20institutions%2C%20instead%20of%20helping%2
800people%20live%20in%20the%20community.%20The%20current%20monitoring%20system%20is%20not%20strong%20enough%20to%20stop%20this.%0A%0AThere%20are%20also%20not%20enough%20policies%20or%20funding%20for%20support%20in%20the%20community.%0A%0AThe%20Committee%20recommends%20that%20the%20EU%3A%0A%0A-%20Clearly%20say%20that%20no%20EU%20money%20should%20go%20to%20institutions%2C%20in%20all%20laws%2C%20policies%20and%20future%20budgets%0A-%20Check%20how%20past%20funds%20were%20used%20%u2014%20together%20with%20organisations%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%0A-%20Collect%20data%20about%20disability%20services%20and%20the%20people%20using%20them%0A-%20Invest%20more%20in%20%5Bcommunity-based%20support%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29%20and%20%5Bhousing%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Legal%20capacity%20and%20the%20right%20to%20vote%0A%0AThe%20Committee%20is%20concerned%20that%20the%20EU%20is%20not%20doing%20enough%20to%20stop%20taking%20away%20people%u2019s%20legal%20capacity.%0A%0AFor%20example%2C%20the%20EU%20is%20working%20on%20a%20Regulation%20on%20protection%20of%20adults%20in%20cross-border%20cases%20that%20%5Bcould%20allow%20substituted%20decision-making.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/this-is-what%27s-wrong-with-proposal-on-cross-border-protection-of-%2522vulnerable-adults%2522%29%0A%0AThe%20Committee%20said%20that%20there%20are%20still%20%5Bbarriers%20to%20voting%20and%20running%20for%20office%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/voting-rights%29%20especially%20in%20EU%20elections%20%u2014%20like%20inaccessible%20information%20and%20voting%20procedures.%0AThe%20Committee%20recommends%20that%20the%20EU%3A%0A%0A-%20Ask%20member%20states%20to%20replace%20substituted%20decision-making%20with%20supported%20decision-making%20%20and%20better%20promote%20the%20%5Bright%20to%20decide%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%0A-%20Train%20public%20officials%2C%20families%2C%20and%20service%20providers%20on%20supported%20decision-making%0A-%20Stop%20the%20work%20on%20the%20cross-border%20regulation%0A-%20Ensure%20everyone%20can%20vote%20and%20run%20for%20the%20European%20Parliament%20%u2014%20no%20matter%20their%20legal%20capacity%0A-%20Make%20voting%20and%20information%20fully%20accessible%2C%20including%20in%20%5Beasy-to-read%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-standards-how-to-use-easy-to-read%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Lack%20of%20inclusion%20in%20EU%20institutions%0A%0AThe%20Committee%20says%20the%20EU%20lacks%20a%20proper%20strategy%20to%20include%20people%20with%20disabilities%20in%20its%20own%20institutions%20%u2014%20as%20staff%2C%20visitors%2C%20or%20participants.%0A%0AThe%20Committee%20noticed%20problems%20with%20discrimination%20and%20lack%20of%20adaptations%2C%20inaccessible%20information%20%28especially%20online%29.%0A%0AThis%20makes%20public%20participation%20and%20jobs%20more%20difficult%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities.%0ANo%20data%20on%20how%20many%20people%20with%20disabilities%20work%20in%20EU%20institutions.%0A%0AThe%20Committee%20recommends%20that%20the%20EU%3A%0A%0A-%20Create%20a%20disability%20inclusion%20strategy%20for%20all%20its%20institutions%20and%20activities%0A-%20Set%20clear%20accessibility%20standards%20for%20events%20and%20information%0A-%20Collect%20data%20on%20staff%20with%20disabilities%20and%20ensure%20reasonable%20accommodations%0A%0ALearn%20more%3A%0A%0A-%20%5BCRPD%20Committee%20conclusions%20on%20EU%20review%5D%28https%3A//tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx%3Fsymbolno%3DCRPD/C/EUR/CO/2-3%26Lang%3Den%29%0A-%20%5BWhat%20is%20the%20UN%20CRPD%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/crpd/%29%0A-%20%5BTransition%20from%20institutionalisation%20to%20community-based%20support%5D%28https%3A//deinstitutionalisation.com/eeg-publications/%29%0A-%20EDF%3A%20%5B12%20memorable%20moments%20of%20the%20UN%20review%20of%20the%20EU%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/12-memorable-moments-of-the-un-review-of-the-eu/%29%0A%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/HbLtFkAvl8E%3Fsi%3DL2V19NabFau6ZdiX%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A","The UN CRPD Committee looked into how the EU is keeping its obligations regarding rights of people with disabilities. Hereâs a summary of their conclusions.","/eu-should-do-better-crpd-committee-reviews-disability-rights-situation","2025-04-11T11:20:51.000Z","2025-04-11T11:31:40.000Z",{"idx":1340,"title":1341,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1342,"picture":1343,"content_e2r":10,"content":1346,"excerpt":1347,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1348,"created_at":1349,"modified_at":1350,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},142,"Inclusion Europe at Global Disability Summit 2025","Global Disability Summit,Inclusion International, humanitarian aid, international development",{"alt":1344,"picture":1345},"Speakers at GDS session","https://str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f22a.jpeg","The%20%5BGlobal%20Disability%20Summit%5D%28https%3A//www.globaldisabilitysummit.org/%29%20aims%20for%20disability%20inclusion%20around%20the%20world.%20It%20brings%20together%20governments%2C%20multilateral%20agencies%2C%20the%20private%20sector%2C%20academia%20and%20civil%20society%20organizations%2C%20organizations%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%2C%20and%20foundations.%0A%0AThe%20summit%20is%20organised%20by%20the%20%5BInternational%20Disability%20Alliance%5D%28https%3A//www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/%29%20together%20with%20governments.%20This%20year%2C%20it%20was%20organised%20together%20with%20Germany%20and%20Jordan.%20It%20was%20the%20third%20%5BGDS.%5D%28https%3A//www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/content/global-disability-summit%29%0A%0AThe%20GDS%20also%20creates%20reports%20and%20committments%20-%20promises%20about%20how%20governments%20and%20others%20are%20gooing%20to%20use%20their%20money%20for%20disability%20inclusion.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Inclusion%20International%0A%0A%5BInclusion%20International%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/%29%20is%20member%20of%20the%20International%20Disability%20Alliance.%20%0A%0AInclusion%20International%20is%20doing%20a%20lot%20of%20work%20on%20%5Binternational%20development%20and%20aid.%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/resources/%3Fbiro-audience%3D%26biro-lang%3D0%26biro-keyissue%3D2193%26biro-region%3D%26biro-resourcetype%3D%23biro-filters%29%20This%20includes%20making%20sure%20the%20money%20spent%20around%20the%20world%20is%20used%20well%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0AInclusion%20International%20did%20a%20lot%20of%20work%20making%20sure%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20well%20represented%20at%20the%20Global%20Disability%20Summit.%0A%0AThere%20were%20many%20self-advocates%2C%20organisations%20from%20the%20Inclusion%20movement%20present%20during%20the%20summit%20in%20Berlin.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Self-advocates%27%20session%0A%0AInclusion%20International%2C%20%5BLebenshilfe%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.lebenshilfe.de/%29%20and%20Inclusion%20Europe%20organised%20a%20self-advocacy%20session%20during%20the%20GDS.%0A%0ASelf-advocates%20from%20Germany%2C%20Nepal%2C%20Lebanon%20were%20speakers%2C%20as%20was%20Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%20representing%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%0A-%20Claudia%20Franke%20described%20how%20self-advocates%20work%20in%20Germany.%0A-%20**%22Self-advocates%20help%20governments%20understand%20what%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20want.%20They%20share%20stories%20and%20ideas.%20They%20help%20to%20make%20law%20fair%20for%20everyone.%22**%20-%20said%20Shiva%20Shrestha%0A-%20**%22Together%2C%20we%20are%20stronger.%20Our%20voice%20is%20stronger.%20When%20I%20was%20in%20New%20York%20for%20the%20CRPD%20meeting%2C%20some%20said%20they%20didn%27t%20want%20to%20give%20us%20the%20right%20to%20choose%20and%20to%20make%20our%20own%20decisions.%20Self-advocates%20were%20there%20to%20say%20people%20must%20respect%20their%20rights.%20Today%20the%20CRPD%20respects%20our%20rights.%20Thanks%20to%20self-advocates.%22**%20-%20said%20Marie%20Farah%0A-%20**%22Governments%20think%20they%20know%20what%20is%20best%20for%20us%2C%20but%20they%20don%u2019t%22**%20-%20%5Bsaid%20Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/governments-think-they-know-what-is-best-for-us-but-they-dont%29%0A%0AThere%20was%20also%20quite%20a%20few%20questions%20and%20statements%20from%20the%20audiance%2C%20including%20from%20self-advocates.%20More%20than%20200%20people%20attended%20the%20session.%20%0A%0A%21%5BSelf-advocates%20on%20stage%2C%20audiance%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f21f.jpeg%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Deinstitutionalisation%20side-event%0A%0A%u201CEnding%20institutionalisation%20of%20children%20and%20adults%20with%20disabilities%3A%20sharing%20experiences%u201D%20was%20a%20side-event%20organised%20by%20the%20UK%20Foreign%2C%20Commonwealth%20and%20Development%20Off
80ice%20%28FCDO%29%20and%20Inclusion%20International.%0A%0AThe%20UK%20Foreign%20Secretary%20David%20Lammy%20%28on%20video%29%20spoke%20about%20%5Ba%20new%20campaign%5D%28https%3A//www.gov.uk/government/news/childrens-care-reform-an-international-priority-on-foreign-secretary-and-barry-keoghan-visit-to-bulgaria%29%20by%20the%20FCDO.%0A%0A%u201CThe%20UK%20will%20lead%20a%20new%20global%20alliance%20to%20advocate%20for%20sustainable%2C%20lasting%20reform%20of%20children%u2019s%20social%20care%20around%20the%20world.%u201D%0A%0AWafa%20Bani%20Mustafa%2C%20Minister%20of%20Social%20Development%20of%20Jordan%2C%20spoke%20about%20the%20country%u2019s%20plan%20to%20close%20its%20institutions%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities%20in%20the%20next%2010%20years.%20Inclusion%20International%20is%20part%20of%20%5Bthis%20project%2C%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/programme/de-institutionalisation-reform-and-economic-empowerment-of-vulnerable-jordanians/%29%20too.%0A%0ADumitrita%20Cropivnitchi%2C%20children%u2019s%20rights%20advocate%20from%20Moldova%2C%20said%3A%0A%u201CEach%20one%20of%20us%20can%20directly%20contribute%20to%20changing%20the%20system%20and%20in%20doing%20so%2C%20change%20thousands%20of%20lives.%u201D%20%28Note%20on%20her%20contribution%20from%20Lumos%20https%3A//lnkd.in/ez47uJa6%29%0A%0AMaribel%20C%E1ceres%2C%20Vice%20President%20of%20Plena%20inclusi%F3n%2C%20said%3A%0A%u201C%5BMi%20Casa%5D%28https%3A//www.plenainclusion.org/conocenos/proyectos/ficha/proyecto-mi-casa/%29%20%28My%20home%29%20project%20of%20Plena%20inclusion%20is%20supporting%20many%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20to%20be%20included.%u201D%0A%0AThere%20were%20also%20two%20video%20statements%20from%20children%20in%20Rwanda%20and%20Zambia.%0A%0AMilan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%2C%20director%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20%5Btalked%20about%20the%20work%5D%28https%3A//di-club.ghost.io/di-is-not-a-rocket-science/%29%20we%20are%20doing%20for%20Europe%20%28and%20the%20world%29%20to%20finally%20end%20segregation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A%21%5BSpeaker%20on%20DI%20side-event%20stage%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/65f705d470aca12dd4426f22b.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Much%20more%0A%0AMaribel%20C%E1ceres%20spoke%20also%20at%20the%20closing%20session%20of%20the%20summit.%20There%20were%20a%20lot%20of%20speakers%20from%20the%20Inclusion%20movement%20on%20different%20sessions%20during%20the%20event.%0A%0ASoufiane%20El%20Amrani%20took%20part%20in%20the%20work%20coordinated%20by%20Inclusion%20International%20to%20create%20easy-to-read%20version%20of%20%5BGDS%20report%5D%28https%3A//www.globaldisabilitysummit.org/resource/global-disability-inclusion-report/%29%20summary.%0A%0ABig%20part%20of%20the%20summit%20was%20meeting%20disability%20organisations%20or%20governments%20and%20others%2C%20to%20discuss%20about%20what%20needs%20to%20be%20done%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Podcast%0A%0AAt%20the%20end%20of%20the%20summit%2C%20Connie%20Laurin-Bowie%20set%20down%20with%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%20to%20record%20a%20conversation%20for%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20Radio.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/conversation-podcast-Connie-Laurin-Bowie%29.%0A%0ASee%20also%3A%0A%0A-%20%5BWorld%20Congress%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/news-item/world-congress-registration/%29%20of%20Inclusion%20International%0A-%20%5BHear%20our%20Voices%21%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/hear-our-voices%21-self-advocacy-conference-2025%29%20self-advocacy%20conference%0A-%20all%20events%20%5Bthis%20year%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/events-2025%29%0A","Inclusion Europe was among the more than 4,000 people attending the Global Disability Summit in Berlin, 3 - 4 April 2025. Here's what we did there:","/inclusion-europe-at-global-disability-summit-2025","2025-04-11T14:34:33.000Z","2025-04-16T11:33:47.000Z",{"idx":1352,"title":1353,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1354,"picture":1355,"content_e2r":10,"content":1357,"excerpt":1358,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1359,"created_at":1360,"modified_at":1361,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},143,"Self-advocates from different places in Greece come together, talk about their rights and dreams","Greece,Unity project,self-advocacy",{"alt":774,"picture":1356},"https://str.inclusion.eu/a512144cac7de19ee514e1c13.jpg","**Self-advocates%20meet%20in%20Athens%20to%20talk%20about%20their%20lives%20and%20their%20rights.**%0A%0A*%u201CI%20can%2C%20I%20choose%2C%20I%20take%20part%2C%20I%20say%20what%20I%20think%2C%20I%20am%20heard.%u201D%20%u2014%20Petros%2C%20self-advocate%20from%20Greece*%0A%0A%0AA%20national%20meeting%20about%20self-advocacy%20gave%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20from%20Greece%20the%20chance%20to%20speak%20up%20about%20what%20matters%20to%20them.%20**69%20self-advocates%20attended%20the%20meeting%20in%20Athens.**%0A%0AThere%20were%20153%20participatns%20in%20total%20on%2018%20and%2019%20March%202025.%20They%20came%20from%20many%20places%20in%20Greece%20%u2013%20from%20Athens%2C%20Thessaloniki%2C%20Crete%2C%20Lamia%2C%20and%20Salamina.%0A%0A%21%5BConference%20participants%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/198cc175df5eb2e86ce7ab901.jpg%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%22The%20floor%20is%20yours%22%0A%0A%u201CIf%20you%20are%20a%20person%20with%20intellectual%20Disability%2C%20the%20floor%20is%20yours.%u201D%20That%27s%20the%20approach%20the%20organisers%20used%20for%20the%20meeting.%20And%20it%20worked%3A%20People%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20spoke%20up%20and%20shared%20their%20stories.%0A%0ADuring%20the%20first%20day%2C%20many%20self-advocates%20talked%20about%20their%20lives%20%u2014%20their%20dreams%2C%20things%20they%20are%20proud%20of%2C%20and%20difficulties%20they%20face.%0A%0A**%22When%20I%20lived%20in%20an%20institution%2C%20there%20was%20a%20blue%20light%20over%20my%20bed.%20That%20light%20was%20my%20only%20friend.%20No%20one%20should%20have%20to%20live%20like%20that.%22**%20-%20Maria%20Nefeli%20shared%20how%20she%20used%20to%20live%20in%20an%20institution%2C%20and%20how%20her%20life%20changed%20when%20she%20left.%0A%0A**%22My%20whole%20life%20became%20better%20when%20I%20moved%20to%20a%20new%20place%20with%20my%20friends.%22**%20-%20Stavroula%20explained%20how%20moving%20into%20her%20own%20house%20with%20friends%20made%20her%20life%20better.%0A%0A**%22I%20want%20to%20live%20for%20myself.%20My%20work%20and%20playing%20in%20a%20music%20band%20make%20me%20happy.%22**%20-%20Manos%20talked%20about%20his%20job%20and%20his%20love%20for%20music.%0A%0A**%22I%20represent%20my%20friends.%20I%20listen%20to%20them%2C%20and%20I%20talk%20about%20their%20needs.%22**%20-%20Antigoni%20explained%20how%20she%20became%20the%20president%20at%20the%20day%20centre.%0A%0A%21%5BConference%20participant%20presenting%20her%20poster%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/198cc175df5eb2e86ce7ab902.jpg%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20can%20make%20lives%20better%0A%0AOn%20the%20second%20day%2C%20everyone%20took%20part%20in%20workshops.%20They%20talked%20about%20their%20rights%20and%20about%20what%20can%20make%20their%20lives%20better.%0A%0AWorkshop%20about%20the%20%5Bright%20to%20make%20decisions%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%20and%20take%20part%20in%20politics%3A%0A%0A*%20**%22I%20could%20live%20on%20my%20own%20if%20someone%20helped%20me%20with%20bills%20and%20money%20matters.%22**%20-%20Ioanna%20said%20she%20wants%20to%20live%20on%20her%20own%2C%20but%20with%20some%20help.%0A*%20**%22I%20think%20I%20could%20be%20a%20good%20MP%20if%20I%20had%20the%20help%20of%20my%20friends.%22**%20-%20Yannis%20said%20he%20dreams%20of%20becoming%20a%20Member%20of%20Parliament%20one%20day.%0A*%20**%22When%20I%20voted%2C%20I%20didn%u2019t%20tell%20my%20father%20who%20I%20voted%20for.%20I%20am%20sure%20he%20voted%20for%20someone%20else.%22**%20-%20Maria%20explained%20how%20voting%20makes%20her%20feel%20strong%20and%20independent.%0A%0A%21%5BNote-taking%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/198cc175df5eb2e86ce7ab903.jpg%29%0A%0A%0AWorkshop%20about%20acccess%20to%20%5Bhealthcare%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/healthcare%29%3A%20%0A%0A*%20**%22Only%20I%20know%20how%20I%20feel.%20Doctors%20should%20talk%20to%20me%2C%20not%20only%20to%20my%20assistant.%22**%20-%20Eleni%20spoke%20about%20how%20important%20it%20is%20for%20doctors%20to%20talk%20directly%20to%20people%20with%20disabilities%3A%0A%0AThere%20were%20also%20workshops%20about%20%5Bliving%20independently%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29%20and%20being%20part%20of%20the%20community%2C%20and%20about%20taking%20part%20in%20culture%2C%20sports%20and%20free-time%20activities.%0A%0A%21%5BConference%20participant%20speaking%20into%20microphone%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/198cc175df5eb2e86ce7ab904.jpg%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20More%20like%20this%0A%0AThe%20meeting%20in%20Athens%20was%20organised%20by%20the%20Panhellenic%20Federation%20of%20Parents%20and%20Guardians%20of%20People%20with%20Disabilities%20%28POSGAmeA%29%20and%20the%20association%20%22To%20Petagma%22%2C%20as%20part%20of%20our%20%5BUNITY%20project%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/%2520Unity%2520project%29%20%0A%0AThe%20meeting%20was%20full%20of%20powerful%20stories%2C%20honest%20conversations%2C%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","/self-advocates-from-different-places-in-greece-come-together-talk-about-their-rights-and-dreams","2025-04-14T15:26:10.000Z","2026-04-30T17:20:26.000Z",{"idx":1363,"title":1364,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":457,"picture":1365,"content_e2r":10,"content":1368,"excerpt":1026,"default_type":29,"url":1369,"created_at":1370,"modified_at":1371,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},144,"Europe for Us - Representation matters ",{"alt":1366,"picture":1367},"Europe for Us - Representation matters. 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80-online-unity-2024","2025-04-16T16:10:08.000Z","2025-05-28T16:50:22.000Z",{"idx":1385,"title":1386,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1387,"picture":1388,"content_e2r":10,"content":1391,"excerpt":1392,"default_type":29,"url":1393,"created_at":1394,"modified_at":1395,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},146,"Legal capacity, inclusive education discussed as Malta prepares reform","Malta,education,legal capacity,Camille Latimier,Milan Sverepa",{"alt":1389,"picture":1390},"Marthese Mugliette at the conference","https://str.inclusion.eu/198cc175df5eb2e86ce7ab914.jpg","%0A%23%23%23%2055%20years%20of%20disability%20movement%20in%20Malta%0A%0AThe%20Malta%20Federation%20of%20Organizations%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disability%20%28MFOPD%29%20celebrates%20their%2055th%20anniversary%20this%20year.%0A%0A*%20%5BMFOPD%5D%28https%3A//www.mfopd.org/%29%20is%20member%20or%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20and%20also%20of%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Disability%20Forum.%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/%29%0A*%20MFOPD%20brings%20together%2044%20organisations%20representing%20people%20with%20disabilities%20and%20other%20types%20of%20organisations.%0A*%20Inclusion%20Europe%20members%20in%20Malta%20are%20also%20%5BNPSPD%5D%28https%3A//npspd.org/%29%2C%20Down%20Syndrome%20Association%2C%20and%20%5BInspire%20Foundation%5D%28http%3A//www.inspire.org.mt/%29%20%28all%20members%20of%20MFOPD%20too%29.%0A%0ATo%20mark%20the%20occasion%2C%20MFOPD%20organise%20a%20series%20of%20conferences%20about%20important%20reforms%20Malta%20is%20working%20on.%20Inclusion%20Europe%20was%20invited%20to%20contribute%20to%20these%20events.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Right%20to%20decide%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20conferences%20focused%20on%20legal%20capacity%20and%20support%20for%20decision-making.%20Malta%20is%20preparing%20new%20laws%20to%20move%20away%20from%20substitute%20decision-making%20towards%20%5Bsupported%20decision-making.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%20%20%0A%0A**Marthese%20Mugliette%2C**%20president%20of%20MFOPD%2C%20opened%20the%20conference%20saying%20how%20important%20the%20reform%20is%2C%20and%20that%20the%20new%20laws%20need%20to%20ensure%20the%20right%20to%20decide%20for%20all%20people%20with%20disabilities.%0A%0A**Julia%20Farrugia%2C**%20minister%20for%20inclusion%20and%20voluntary%20sector%2C%20spoke%20about%20the%20two%20new%20bills%20Malta%20is%20preparing.%0A%22We%20are%20grateful%20to%20Inclusion%20Europe%20for%20the%20recommendations%20that%20helped%20shape%20the%20process%2C%22%20the%20minister%20said.%20%20%0A%0A**Camille%20Latimier%2C**%20director%20of%20%5BInclusion%20Czechia%5D%28https%3A//www.spmpcr.cz/%29%20and%20board%20member%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20gave%20a%20lecture%20on%20how%20to%20develop%20support%20for%20decision-making.%20%20%0A%0A%21%5BCamille%20Latimier%20speaking%20at%20the%20conference%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/198cc175df5eb2e86ce7ab912.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0AShe%20explained%20that%20reforms%20must%20involve%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20at%20every%20step.%20%20%0AShe%20also%20shared%20good%20practices%20from%20different%20countries.%0A%0A%22It%20is%20important%20to%20test%20the%20reform%20before%20it%20enters%20into%20force%2C%20to%20solve%20any%20problems%20early%2C%22%20Camille%20Latimier%20recommended.%20%20%0A%0AParents%20attending%20the%20conference%20spoke%20up%20about%20their%20concerns.%20Many%20said%20progress%20is%20far%20too%20slow%3A%0A*%20%22What%20will%20happen%20when%20I%u2019m%20gone%3F%22%20asked%20one%20of%20them.%0A*%20%22Things%20are%20taking%20too%20long%2C%22%20said%20another.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Inclusive%20education%0A%0AThe%20following%20day%2C%20there%20was%20a%20conference%20about%20inclusive%20education.%0A%0A**Marthese%20Mugliette**%20again%20opened%2C%20saying%20education%20is%20very%20important%20and%20timely%20topic.%20%20%0A%0A**Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%2C**%20director%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20spoke%20about%20%5Bwhy%20we%20care%20about%20education.%5D%28http%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/why-we-care-about-education-new-position-paper/%29%20Milan%20also%20gave%20examples%20
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80of%20our%20lives.%20Like%20today%2C%20for%20example%2C%20when%20you%20feel%20you%20have%20a%20voice%20and%20are%20being%20heard%21%20It%20is%20with%20pride%20that%20we%20have%20come%20to%20use%20our%20voice%20to%20represent%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%22%0A-%20%u201CWe%20both%20have%20the%20support%20of%20CERCI%20Lisboa%20and%20FENACERCI.%20These%20organisations%20have%20played%20an%20important%20role%20in%20our%20lives%3A%20we%20take%20part%20in%20activities%20and%20projects%2C%20we%20can%20learn%20new%20things%2C%20work%2C%20make%20friends%20and%20socialise.%20On%20this%20road%20to%20inclusion%2C%20we%20feel%20capable%20and%20valued%20just%20as%20we%20are.%20And%20that%20is%20the%20role%20of%20organisations%3A%20Be%20a%20support%20on%20our%20path%20to%20inclusion%20and%20full%20participation%21%u201D%0A-%20%u201CThis%20campaign%20is%20a%20symbol%20of%20hope%20and%20inclusion.%20It%20shows%20that%20we%20all%20have%20value%2C%20we%20all%20have%20dreams%2C%20and%20we%20all%20have%20the%20right%20to%20live%20with%20dignity%2C%20respect%20and%20equal%20opportunities.%u201D%0A%0A%21%5BAlbino%20Silva%20and%20Ana%20Carolinha%20Cunha%20speaking%20at%20the%20event%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/198cc175df5eb2e86ce7ab918.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20would%20like%20to%20thank%20all%20the%20trainings%u2019%20participants%20for%20your%20time%20and%20engagement.%20It%20was%20a%20pleasure%20to%20be%20able%20to%20share%20about%20the%20topics%20and%20work%20that%20matters%20to%20us.%0A%0AWe%20also%20thank%20the%20Disability%20and%20Human%20Rights%20Observatory%2C%20FENACERCI%2C%20and%20CERCIZIBRA%20for%20hosting%20the%20trainings%20and%20visits.%20It%20was%20a%20pleasure%20to%20meet%20you%20all%20and%20to%20learn%20about%20your%20work.%0A%0AThe%20training%20was%20organised%20with%20financial%20support%20from%20the%20European%20Union.%0A%0A","Inclusion Europe participated in a three-day training program in Portugal, focused on the rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. The trainings were organised in collaboration with the Disability and Human Rights Observatory at the University of Lisbon, and with FENACERCI.","/promoting-rights-and-inclusion-trainings-in-portugal","2025-05-13T10:58:19.000Z","2025-12-18T12:11:05.000Z",{"idx":1409,"title":1410,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1411,"picture":1412,"content_e2r":10,"content":1414,"excerpt":1415,"default_type":29,"url":1416,"created_at":1417,"modified_at":1418,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},148,"\"We had a normal relationship, but people treated us differently\"","Inge Volleberg,siblings,families",{"alt":132,"picture":1413},"https://str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e787022.jpg","***Inge%20Volleberg**%20is%20Inclusion%20Europe%27s%20researcher%20and%20coordinator.%20She%20works%20a%20lot%20on%20the%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20reports.%20Inge%20also%20co-leads%20our%20work%20on%20young%20families.%20This%20is%20Inge%27s%20story%3A*%0A%0AIt%20was%20fun%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20therapeutic%20to%20write%20all%20of%20this%20down.%20But%20I%20might%20have%20gotten%20carried%20away%20a%20little%20bit%20and%20ended%20up%20with%205%20pages%20of%20text.%0A%0ASo%20first%2C%20I%20will%20summarise%20the%20main%20point%3A%0A%0AI%20do%20what%20I%20do%20because%20I%20believe%20there%20is%20a%20lot%20that%20can%20be%20improved%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20their%20siblings%2C%20and%20their%20families.%20Siblings%20need%20to%20receive%20more%20support%20and%20should%20be%20considered%20more.%20I%20don%27t%20think%20my%20experiences%20or%20those%20of%20other%20siblings%20are%20worse%20than%20the%20discrimination%20and%20segregation%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face.%20At%20the%20same%20time%2C%20it%20is%20not%20a%20competition%20and%20improvements%20for%20siblings%20would%20also%20mean%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20can%20have%20a%20more%20%27normal%u2019%20sibling%20relationship%20without%20the%20caregiver-dependent%20label.%20It%20works%20the%20other%20way%20around%20as%20well%20%u2013%20if%20things%20improve%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20or%20their%20parents%2C%20chances%20are%20the%20situation%20will%20also%20improve%20for%20siblings.%0A%0ASome%20points%20I%20think%20we%20need%20to%20
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80ity%20are%20not.%20These%20children%20have%20needs%20that%20are%20not%20being%20met%u201D%0A%0AThat%20hits%20a%20bit%20too%20close%20for%20comfort.%0A%0ASo%20far%2C%20I%20talked%20about%20the%20challenges%20I%20faced%20because%20I%20am%20a%20sibling%2C%20but%20not%20about%3A%0A%0A-%09The%20relentless%20bullying%20that%20went%20on%20for%20more%20than%204%20years%20%28ages%206-10%29.%0A-%09The%20depression%20I%20had%20in%20those%20years%20as%20a%20result%20of%20it.%0A-%09How%20I%20struggled%20at%20school%20to%20make%20social%20connections%20%28also%20known%20as%20friends%29.%0A%0AI%20didn%27t%20mention%20these%20things%20because%20they%20are%20not%20the%20result%20of%20Esther%20being%20Esther%20or%20me%20being%20a%20sibling.%20But%20the%20fact%20is%20that%20many%20adults%20in%20my%20life%20did%20not%20realise%20what%20was%20going%20on%20or%20how%20serious%20it%20was%2C%20because%20the%20attention%20often%20went%20to%20my%20sister.%20%0A%0AAt%20the%20same%20time%2C%20I%20worried%20about%20the%20fact%20that%20my%20parents%20already%20had%20one%20child%20they%20needed%20to%20care%20for%2C%20and%20so%20I%20did%20my%20absolute%20best%20not%20to%20be%20a%20burden.%20Which%20resulted%2C%20as%20you%20can%20guess%2C%20in%20me%20trying%2C%20and%20failing%2C%20to%20deal%20with%20all%20these%20problems%20on%20my%20own.%20%0A%0ASo%20yes%2C%20I%20am%20a%20perfect%20example%20of%20a%20glass%20child%20even%20though%20it%20took%20me%20years%20%28and%20therapy%29%20to%20realise%20it.%0A%0ASome%20aspects%20of%20being%20a%20glass%20child%20were%20a%20bit%20more%20obvious%20throughout%20my%20childhood.%20For%20example%2C%20if%20mom%20and%20I%20were%20walking%20on%20the%20street%20and%20ran%20into%20an%20acquaintance.%20Chances%20were%20high%20they%20would%20only%20inquire%20on%20how%20Esther%20was%20doing.%20%0A%0ATo%20this%20day%20I%20still%20struggle%20with%20the%20idea%20that%20people%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20me%2C%20just%20me%2C%20for%20me.%0A%0A%0A%0A**Read%20also%3A**%0A%0A-%20%5BInge%20and%20Esther%3A%20story%20of%20love%20and%20support%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inge-and-esther-a-story-of-love-and-support%29%0A-%20%5BSiblings%27%20issue%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-magazine-4-2023%29%20of%20Europe%20for%20us%20easy%20to%20read%20magazine%0A%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn%3Ali%3Ashare%3A7320790694288121856%3Fcollapsed%3D1%22%20height%3D%22645%22%20width%3D%22504%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3D%22%22%20title%3D%22Embedded%20post%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A","Inclusion Europe is working on a survey of young families (parents, siblings) of people with intellectual disabilities. As we start the work, I sat down and wrote down my own thoughts and experiences growing up as a sibling, writes Inge Volleberg.","/we-had-a-normal-relationship-but-people-treated-us-differently","2025-05-13T12:18:55.000Z","2025-12-18T12:07:20.000Z",{"idx":1420,"title":1421,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1422,"picture":1423,"content_e2r":10,"content":1426,"excerpt":1427,"default_type":29,"url":1428,"created_at":1429,"modified_at":1430,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},149,"Future EU budget â European Parliament supports investing in social inclusion ","money,funding,European Union, EU budget",{"alt":1424,"picture":1425},"EU money for inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their families - Inclusion Europe paper","https://str.inclusion.eu/714b1614ba8bf39c1542f1701.png","Right%20now%2C%20the%20European%20Union%20is%20discussing%20its%20next%20long-term%20budget.%20This%20is%20the%20money%20that%20will%20be%20spent%20over%20several%20years%20across%20the%20EU.%20%0A%0AWe%20believe%20%5BEU%20money%20should%3A%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29%20%0A%0A1.%20**Be%20invested%20in%20people.**%0AThat%20means%20supporting%20their%20education%2C%20skills%2C%20jobs%2C%20and%20participation%20in%20the%20community.%20%20%0A%0A2.%20**Follow%20clear%20rules%20to%20support%20rights%20and%20inclusion.**%20%0AEU%20funding%20should%20be%20rights-based%2C%20easy%20to%20use%2C%20effective%2C%20and%20involve%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20in%20decisions.%20%0A%0A3.%20**Help%20end%20segregation%20and%20isolation.**%20%0AEU%20money%20must%20support%20inclusion%20in%20all%20aspects%20
80of%20life.%20%20%0A%0A%21%5BEU%20money%20for%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20-%20Inclusion%20Europe%20paper%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/714b1614ba8bf39c1542f1700.png%29%0A%0A%0ARecently%2C%20**the%20European%20Parliament%20%5Badopted%20its%20position%5D%28https%3A//www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-10-2025-0090_EN.html%29%20on%20the%20next%20EU%20budget.**%20This%20is%20an%20important%20step%20because%20it%20gives%20strong%20recommendations%20to%20the%20European%20Commission%2C%20which%20will%20design%20the%20next%20EU%20budget.%20%0A%0AThis%20position%20matters%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20because%20it%20supports%20key%20areas%20of%20their%20inclusion.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20does%20the%20European%20Parliament%20want%3F%20%0A%0A**To%20include%20social%20inclusion%20in%20the%20EU%20framework%20for%20competitiveness.**%20%0A%0AThe%20European%20Parliament%20says%20inclusive%20economy%20is%20a%20must%20to%20ensure%20competitivity.%20It%20helps%20people%20to%20have%20good%20jobs%20and%20good%20standard%20of%20living.%20%20%20%0A%0A**To%20fight%20inequality%20and%20social%20exclusion.**%20%0A%0AThe%20EU%20budget%20should%20support%20the%20European%20Pillar%20of%20Social%20Rights%20and%20its%20Action%20Plan.%20%20%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20important%20topics%20of%20this%20general%20social%20policy%20is%20the%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20%20%0A%0AEven%20though%20it%20is%20not%20explicitly%20mentioned%20in%20the%20report%2C%20this%20means%20the%20EU%20budget%20should%20help%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20%20%0A%0A**To%20protect%20fundamental%20rights.**%20%0A%0AEU%20money%20should%20only%20go%20to%20countries%20that%20respect%20rights%20%u2013%20including%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20under%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28UNCRPD%29.%20%0A%0AThis%20condition%20is%20known%20as%20a%20%u201Chorizontal%20enabling%20condition%u201D%20and%20its%20purpose%20is%20to%20prevent%20EU%20money%20from%20being%20used%20for%20segregation%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20%0A%0A**To%20make%20EU%20funds%20easier%20to%20access.**%0A%0AThe%20budget%20should%20be%20simpler%20to%20use%2C%20but%20still%20support%20high-quality%20actions.%20%0A%0A**To%20focus%20on%20results.**%20%0A%0AEU%20money%20should%20be%20judged%20on%20what%20it%20achieves.%20There%20should%20be%20performance%20indicators%20to%20make%20sure%20goals%20like%20deinstitutionalisation%20are%20being%20met.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20No%20mention%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%0A%0AThe%20European%20Parliament%u2019s%20report%20is%20mostly%20a%20step%20in%20the%20right%20direction.%20It%20gives%20a%20strong%20message%20about%20the%20importance%20of%20investing%20in%20social%20inclusion.%20%0A%0ABut%20**we%20regret%20that%20the%20text%u202Fdoes%20not%20mention%20people%20with%20disabilities.**%20Mentioning%20people%20with%20disabilities%20would%20send%20a%20clear%20message%20that%20they%20matter%20and%20that%20EU%20money%20must%20be%20used%20to%20support%20their%20rights.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20should%20happen%20next%3F%20%0A%0AThe%20European%20Commission%20will%20present%20its%20proposal%20for%20the%20EU%20budget.%20Then%2C%20it%20will%20be%20discussed%20and%20approved%20between%20the%20European%20Commission%2C%20the%20European%20Parliament%2C%20and%20EU%20countries%20%28represented%20by%20the%20Council%29.%20%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20will%20keep%20advocating%20for%20the%20budget%20to%20prioritise%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20%0A%0AOur%20members%20and%20other%20organisations%20advocating%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20should%20%5Bbring%20this%20message%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29%20to%20their%20governments%20and%20members%20of%20parliament%20too.%0A%20%0A%0A%20","The European Parliament adopted its position on the next EU budget. This is an important step because it gives strong recommendations to the European Commission, which will design the next EU budget. ","/future-eu-budget-european-parliament-supports-investing-in-social-inclusion","2025-05-20T12:50:08.000Z","2025-05-20T12:52:50.000Z",{"idx":1432,"title":1433,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1434,"picture":1435,"content_e2r":10,"content":1438,"excerpt":1439,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1440,"created_at":1441,"modified_at":1442,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},150,"Deinstitutionalisation for children with disabilities in Slovenia - workshop looking for expertise and experience","Slovenia,deinstitutionalisation,children",{"alt":1436,"picture":1437},"Doing DI: Work to end segregation of people with intellectual disabilities in institutions. Co-funded by the European Union.","https://str.inclusion.eu/714b1614ba8bf39c1542f1703.png","The%20workshop%20takes%20place%20on%20**10%20June%202025%2C%20from%2010%3A00%20to%2011%3A30**%20Brussels%20time.%20%0A%0AIt%20is%20held%20**online.**%20%5BRegister%20here%5D%28https%3A//forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx%3Fid%3DgQl6t-1XfUaAoOBlamz7XN0Lkw5u-0xOnupe3UBelJZUOENMRzZCRTg0Qk0zNDZUWDBUSFVHR0Q2Qi4u%29%20to%20take%20part.%0A%0AFormat%20of%20the%20workshop%3A%20%0A%0A-%20Introduction%20%u2013%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A-%20Context%20and%20questions%20%u2013%20Andreja%20Rafaeli%u010D%20and%20Katarina%20Mauch%2C%20Institute%20for%20Social%20Welfare%2C%20Slovenia%0A-%20Discussion%20about%20questions%2C%20examples%20of%20DI%20for%20children%20with%20disabilities%20%u2013%20invited%20experts%2C%20workshop%20participants%0A%0AWe%20invite%20everyone%20who%20has%20experience%20supporting%20children%20with%20disabilities%20and%20wants%20to%20share%20it%20to%20help%20answer%20Slovenia%u2019s%20questions.%20%0A%0A-%20%5BContext%20and%20questions%20for%20the%20workshop%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/714b1614ba8bf39c1542f1702.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%0A%0AThe%20workshop%20is%20part%20of%20the%20Doing%20DI%20platform%20to%20help%20end%20segregation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20The%20platform%20is%20being%20developed%20as%20part%20of%20Together+%20project%20co-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%20%0A%0A%0A%21%5BDoing%20DI%3A%20Work%20to%20end%20segregation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20institutions.%20Co-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/714b1614ba8bf39c1542f1704.png%29%0A%0A%0A%5BRegister%20here%5D%28https%3A//forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx%3Fid%3DgQl6t-1XfUaAoOBlamz7XN0Lkw5u-0xOnupe3UBelJZUOENMRzZCRTg0Qk0zNDZUWDBUSFVHR0Q2Qi4u%29%20to%20take%20part.","Slovenia is working to replace large institutions with services in the community. One of their main questions is how to set up good support for children with disabilities. \nThis workshop looks for experience, expertise and examples that can help Slovenia with deinstitutionalisation, setting up good support for children with disabilities. ","/deinstitutionalisation-for-children-with-disabilities-in-slovenia-workshop","2025-05-21T14:31:18.000Z","2025-05-21T14:38:35.000Z",{"idx":1444,"title":1445,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1446,"picture":1447,"content_e2r":10,"content":1449,"excerpt":1450,"default_type":29,"url":1451,"created_at":1452,"modified_at":1453,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},151,"Self-advocates' event to share and learn about inclusion - join online","Unity project,self-advocacy",{"alt":774,"picture":1448},"https://str.inclusion.eu/a512144cac7de19ee514e1c0d.jpg","11%20-%2012%20June%202025%2C%20from%2010%3A00%20to%2013%3A00%20%28Brussels%20time%29%0AOnline%0ALanguage%3A%20English%20%28Zoom%20+%20Wordly%20support%29%0A%0A%5BRegister%20here%20to%20take%20part.%5D%28https%3A//forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx%3Fid%3DgbUznttG4EeMoQBYh3ExpBrb7l40pipLnD9M_WOty5hUODFGWlUyNklSRVVJMkhaRERRWDEwTjBCRS4u%26route%3Dshorturl%29%0A%0AIt%u2019s%20a%20space%20to%20share%20stories%20and%20learn%20together.%0AIt%27s%20a%20space%20to%20exchange%20between%20self-advocates%20and%20across%20countries.%0A%0AThe%20focus%20is%20inclusion%20%u2014%20in%20education%2C%20work%2C%20community%20life%2C%20and%20decision-making.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20to%20expect%0A%0AThere%20will%20be%20presentations%20about%3A%0A%0A-%20Inclusive%20theatre%0A-%20Accessible%20university%20education%0A-%20Independent%20living%0A-%20Sports%0A-%20Self-advocacy%0A-%20Rights-based%20research%0A%0AThis%20event%20is%20part%20of%20the%20%5BUNITY%20project%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Unity%2520project%29%20%u2014%20working%20to%20strengthen%20democratic%20participation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20and%20
80other%20disabilities%20across%20the%20EU.%20The%20project%20is%20funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%0A%0A%5BRegister%20here%20to%20take%20part.%5D%28https%3A//forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx%3Fid%3DgbUznttG4EeMoQBYh3ExpBrb7l40pipLnD9M_WOty5hUODFGWlUyNklSRVVJMkhaRERRWDEwTjBCRS4u%26route%3Dshorturl%29%0A%0ASee%20also%20other%20%5Bevents%20this%20year.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/events-2025%29%0A","Join the next international online event bringing together self-advocates, families, professionals, and allies from across Europe.","/self-advocates-event-to-share-and-learn-about-inclusion","2025-05-28T16:22:46.000Z","2026-04-30T17:19:54.000Z",{"idx":1455,"title":1456,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1457,"picture":1458,"content_e2r":10,"content":1461,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":1462,"created_at":1463,"modified_at":1464,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},152,"Disability Debrief: disability, policy, and global insights - Conversation with Peter Fremlin, Inclusion Europe Radio","podcast,Milan Å veÅepa, disability rights ,Inclusion Europe Radio",{"alt":1459,"picture":1460},"Inclusion Europe Radio - Peter Torres Fremlin, Editor of Disability Debrief","https://str.inclusion.eu/99b0628b2307ebc50a0862416.png","**Peter%20shares%20his%20journey%20in%20disability%20advocacy%2C%20how%20he%20started%20Disability%20Debrief%2C%20and%20the%20crucial%20role%20it%20plays%20in%20informing%20and%20uniting%20the%20disability%20community.**%0A%0AIn%20this%20episode%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20Radio%2C%20we%20welcome%20Peter%20Fremlin%2C%20known%20for%20his%20newsletter%2C%20%5BDisability%20Debrief.%5D%28https%3A//www.disabilitydebrief.org/%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%0A%0A**Peter%20Fremlin**%20and%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%20talk%20about%20the%20challenges%20of%20keeping%20up%20with%20global%20disability%20news%2C%20and%20the%20importance%20of%20narrative%20storytelling%20in%20disability%20rights%20advocacy.%20The%20conversation%20is%20about%20current%20climate%20of%20policy%20regression%20in%20disability%20rights%20across%20Europe%20and%20globally%2C%20the%20role%20of%20civil%20society%2C%20and%20innovative%20approaches%20to%20maintaining%20representation%20and%20advocacy.%0A%0A%23%23%23%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20data-testid%3D%22embed-iframe%22%20style%3D%22border-radius%3A12px%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2lJzh9pBVp2mHYECtexdhe%3Futm_source%3Dgenerator%22%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22152%22%20frameBorder%3D%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3D%22%22%20allow%3D%22autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20fullscreen%3B%20picture-in-picture%22%20loading%3D%22lazy%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20Peter%20talks%20about%3A%20%0A00%3A00%20Welcome%20to%20Inclusion%20Europe%20Radio%0A%0A00%3A29%20Meet%20Peter%20Frelin%3A%20Disability%20Debrief%0A%0A01%3A12%20The%20accidental%20journalist%0A%0A01%3A55%20Disability%20Debrief%3A%20a%20global%20perspective%0A%0A03%3A56%20Challenges%20and%20insights%20in%20disability%20reporting%0A%0A09%3A24%20Navigating%20social%20media%20and%20community%20building%0A%0A14%3A38%20The%20Importance%20of%20storytelling%20in%20advocacy%0A%0A20%3A38%20Shifting%20the%20conversation%3A%20advocacy%20on%20our%20terms%0A%0A22%3A43%20Employment%20issues%20and%20proving%20capability%0A%0A23%3A53%20Breaking%20segregation%20and%20institutionalization%0A%0A26%3A02%20Government%20policies%20and%20disability%20rights%0A%0A26%3A16%20Global%20regression%20in%20disability%20support%0A%0A28%3A10%20The%20role%20of%20disability%20organizations%0A%0A31%3A13%20Funding%20and%20sustainability%20challenges%0A%0A37%3A28%20Innovative%20representation%20and%20advocacy%0A%0A40%3A00%20Concluding%20thoughts%20and%20future%20conversations%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%0A%0AListen%20to%20the%20conversation%20%5Bon%20your%20favorite%20app.%5D%28https%3A//creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/inclusion-europe/episodes/Disability-Debrief-with-Peter-Fremlin-Disability--policy--and-global-insights-e33phb4%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%0A%0AFull%20%5Btranscript%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/62a3b447613cae498a6e43b00.pdf%29%20of%20the%20conversation.%0A%0A%0AAll%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20Radio%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/podcast%29%20episodes.","/disability-debrief-peter-fremlin-po
80dcast-2025","2025-06-04T13:07:22.000Z","2026-02-04T16:09:05.000Z",{"idx":1466,"title":1467,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1468,"picture":1469,"content_e2r":10,"content":1472,"excerpt":1473,"default_type":29,"url":1474,"created_at":1475,"modified_at":1476,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},153,"New President-elect, 3 new Self-advocacy members - Report from General Assembly and Board meeting in Berlin","Inclusion Europe,Board,Jeanne Nicklas-Faust,self-advocacy,EPSA,Georgia,Iceland,Bulgaria",{"alt":1470,"picture":1471},"László Bercse and Jyrki Pinomaa congratulate Jeanne Nicklas-Faust after her 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80a%20member%20for%20the%20next%20two%20years.%20Tania%20Damianova%20has%20a%20young%20daughter%20with%20disabilities.%20Tania%20works%20as%20a%20lawyer%20and%20lives%20in%20Belgium.%0A%0A%21%5BTania%20Damianova%20leading%20a%20workshop%20on%20young%20families%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/62a3b447613cae498a6e43b04.jpeg%29%0A%0AThe%202-day%20program%20in%20Berlin%20was%20hosted%20by%20Lebenshilfe%2C%20and%20co-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%20%0A%0A%0A%0A","Members of Inclusion Europe elected a new President, and approved 3 new Self-advocacy members at a General Assembly in Berlin, Germany. ","/new-president-elect-3-new-self-advocacy-members-general-assembly-and-board-meeting-in-berlin","2025-06-05T11:17:11.000Z","2025-06-05T12:47:50.000Z",{"idx":1478,"title":1479,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1480,"picture":1481,"content_e2r":10,"content":1484,"excerpt":1485,"default_type":29,"url":1486,"created_at":1487,"modified_at":1488,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},154,"Housing, legal capacity, support services. Inclusion Europe members meet to learn and discuss","Germany,Lebenshilfe,housing,Inclusion Europe",{"alt":1482,"picture":1483},"Workshop on legal capacity","https://str.inclusion.eu/62a3b447613cae498a6e43b0f.jpeg","Lebenshilfe%2C%20our%20member%20in%20Germany%2C%20hosted%20a%20meeting%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20members%20in%20Berlin%20on%203%20and%204%20June%202025.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Co-designing%20an%20accessible%20building%0A%0AOn%20the%20first%20day%2C%20a%20visit%20to%20%5BLebenshilfe%20Berlin%5D%28https%3A//www.lebenshilfe-berlin.de/%29%20offered%20the%20opportunity%20to%20lear%20about%20some%20of%20their%20work.%0A%0ASelf-advocates%20presented%20their%20participation%20in%20designing%20an%20accessible%20building.%20The%20building%20will%20include%20caf%E9%2C%20offices%2C%20and%20meeting%20places.%20The%20self-advocates%20work%20with%20accessible%20design%20specialist%20to%20help%20create%20a%20building%20that%20is%20easy%20to%20navigate%2C%20and%20welcoming%20to%20everyone.%0A%0ATheir%20work%20includes%20modelling%20of%20the%20reception%20area%2C%20designing%20the%20navigation%20system%20for%20the%20building%2C%20or%20creating%20a%20new%20set%20of%20pictograms.%0A%0A%21%5BPresenting%20work%20on%20new%20pictograms%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/62a3b447613cae498a6e43b08.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Housing%0A%0AThe%20presentation%20took%20place%20in%20a%20communal%20area%20of%20a%20building%20in%20central%20Berlin%20where%20people%20with%20and%20without%20disabilities%20live.%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20residents%20with%20disabilities%20spoke%20about%20what%20she%20likes%20about%20living%20in%20her%20appartment%20in%20this%20building.%20She%20also%20described%20how%20the%20process%20of%20accepting%20new%20residents%20works.%20For%20people%20with%20disabilities%20who%20may%20hesitate%20to%20move%20into%20their%20own%20appartment%2C%20there%20are%20weekly%20meetings%20with%20current%20residents%20to%20talk%20about%20what%20the%20life%20here%20is%20like.%0A%0A-%20Read%20also%3A%20%5BHousing%20report%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-issues-ideas-practices%29%0A%0A%21%5BStudy%20visit%20participants%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/62a3b447613cae498a6e43b0a.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Work%20and%20advocacy%20at%20national%20level%20in%20Germany%0A%0ALater%20in%20the%20afternoon%2C%20Jeanne%20Nicklas-Faust%20presented%20the%20work%20of%20Lebenshilfe%20at%20the%20national%20level.%0A%0ALebenshilfe%20advocates%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion.%20They%20also%20provide%20legal%20support%2C%20and%20many%20trainings%20to%20people%20from%20all%20over%20the%20country.%0A%0A%5BLebenshilfe%5D%28https%3A//www.lebenshilfe.de/%29%20has%20many%20members%20with%20regional%20and%20local%20branches%20all%20around%20Germany.%20Many%20of%20these%20regional%20and%20local%20organisations%20provide%20different%20services%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A%21%5BListening%20to%20presentation%20about%20Lebenshilfe%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/62a3b447613cae498a6e43b0b.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Workshops%0A%0AOn%20day%202%2C%20our%20members%20discussed%20important%20topics%20in%204%2
800workshops%3A%0A%0A-%20**Legal%20capacity**%20and%20how%20to%20bring%20on%20reforms%20and%20practice%20so%20people%20%5Bcan%20decide%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%20about%20their%20life%0A-%20**Young%20families**%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20the%20situation%20parents%20and%20%5Bsiblings%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/we-had-a-normal-relationship-but-people-treated-us-differently%29%20are%20in%2C%20issues%20the%20face%0A-%20%5BSelf-advocacy%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/self-advocacy%29%20and%20representation%20in%20organisations%0A-%20**Support%20services%2C**%20%5Bexpectations%20and%20issues%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29%0A%0A%21%5Bworkshop%20on%20legal%20capacity%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/62a3b447613cae498a6e43b0c.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%0AThese%20discussions%20lead%20into%20new%20activities%20and%20plans%20for%20Inclusion%20Europe%20in%20the%20coming%20years.%0A%0A%21%5Bworkshop%20on%20support%20services%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/62a3b447613cae498a6e43b0d.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Conclusions%0A%0A21%20participants%20took%20part%20in%20the%20meeting%20over%20the%20two%20days%2C%20representing%2012%20member%20organisations%20from%209%20countries.%20On%204%20June%2C%20they%20joined%20other%20members%20attending%20online%20%5Bour%20General%20Assembly.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/new-president-elect-3-new-self-advocacy-members-general-assembly-and-board-meeting-in-berlin%29%0A%0AThe%20meeting%20concluded%20with%20a%20brief%20session%20about%20the%20key%20messages%20from%20each%20of%20the%20morning%20workshops%2C%20and%20other%20ideas%20for%20our%20future%20work.%20The%20meeting%20was%20co-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%0A%0A%21%5Bworkshoop%20on%20self-advocacy%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/62a3b447613cae498a6e43b0e.jpeg%29%0A","Inclusion Europe members met in Berlin to learn about what different organisations are doing, and to discuss topics important for full rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.","/housing-legal-capacity-support-services-members-meeting-berlin","2025-06-05T12:35:19.000Z","2025-06-05T12:41:59.000Z",{"idx":1490,"title":1491,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1492,"picture":1493,"content_e2r":10,"content":1496,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":1497,"created_at":1498,"modified_at":1499,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},155,"Annual report 2024","Inclusion Europe, annual report",{"alt":1494,"picture":1495},"Images of people with disabilities and events.","https://str.inclusion.eu/62a3b447613cae498a6e43b13.png","%23%23%23%23%20Inclusion%20Europe%20works%20to%20make%20sure%20that%2020%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20in%2038%20European%20countries%20are%20represented%20and%20included%20in%20society.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Our%20report%20for%202024%20shows%20our%20work%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0AWe%20had%20the%20Europe%20in%20Action%20conference%20in%20Glasgow.%0AMore%20than%20400%20people%20came%20to%20learn%20and%20share%20ideas.%0A%0AWe%20launched%20the%20Inclusion%20Indicators%202024%20report.%0AIt%20shows%20how%20countries%20respect%20the%20rights%20of%20people%0Awith%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0AWe%20worked%20on%20many%20projects%20to%20support%0Aself-advocacy%2C%20independent%20living%2C%20and%20voting%20rights.%0A%0AEPSA%20%28European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%29%0Adid%20great%20work%20to%20include%20self-advocates%0Ain%20meetings%20and%20decisions.%0A%0AWe%20shared%20information%20on%20social%20media%2C%0Apublished%206%20podcasts%2C%20and%20made%20easy-to-read%20materials.%0A%0A%5BAnnual%20report%202024%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/62a3b447613cae498a6e43b11.pdf%29%20%28.pdf%29%0A%0A%5BPrevious%20annual%20report.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2023%29","/annual-report-2024","2025-06-05T12:46:55.000Z","2026-01-14T17:40:15.000Z",{"idx":1501,"title":1502,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":10,"picture":1503,"content_e2r":10,"content":1504,"excerpt":1505,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1506,"created_at":1507,"modified_at":1508,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},157,"Preventing institutionalisation through EU Funding â the role of the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"Full%20programme%20%5Bhere.%5D%28https%3A//deinstitutionalisation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/concept-note-and-agenda-study-session-2025-.pdf%29%0A%0AOn%20behalf%20of%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Expert%20Group%20on%20the%20transition%20from%20institutional%20to%20community-based%20living%5D%28https%3A//deinstitutionalisation.com/2025/06/04/eeg-study-session-2025-1400-1600-june-17-2025/%29%20%28EEG%29%2C%20we%20are%20pleased%20to%20invite%20you%20to%20our%20annual%20study%20session%3A%20Preventing%20institutionalisation%20through%20EU%20Funding%20%u2013%20the%20role%20of%20the%20new%20Multiannual%20Financial%20Framework%20%28MFF%29.%20The%20session%20will%20take%20place%20online%20on%2017%20June%202025%2C%20from%2014%3A00%20to%2016%3A00%20CET.%0A%0AInstitutionalisation%20severely%20limits%20people%u2019s%20rights%2
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80ype":29,"url":1527,"created_at":1528,"modified_at":1529,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},159,"From institutions to community - Conversation with Nic Crosby, Inclusion Europe Radio","podcast,deinstitutionalisation,independent living,Slovenia,England,support services,Milan Å veÅepa,Inclusion Europe Radio",{"alt":1524,"picture":1525},"Inclusion Europe Radio - Nic Crosby, Small Supports - National Development Team for Inclusion","https://str.inclusion.eu/99b0628b2307ebc50a0862418.png","**Nic%20Crosby%20tells%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%20about%20Small%20Supports%20and%20his%20work%20supporting%20people%20to%20move%20from%20hospitals%20and%20other%20institutions.**%0A%0ANic%20Crosby%20leads%20the%20%5BSmall%20Supports%5D%28https%3A//www.ndti.org.uk/change-and-development/small-supports%29%20program%20of%20the%20%5BNational%20Development%20Team%20for%20Inclusion%5D%28https%3A//www.ndti.org.uk/%29%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20data-testid%3D%22embed-iframe%22%20style%3D%22border-radius%3A12px%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//open.spotify.com/embed/episode/65gdSdMUaMBHSrN1bwwxyt%3Futm_source%3Dgenerator%22%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22152%22%20frameBorder%3D%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3D%22%22%20allow%3D%22autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20fullscreen%3B%20picture-in-picture%22%20loading%3D%22lazy%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%23%23%23%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20Nic%20talks%20about%0A%0A00%3A00%20Welcome%20and%20Introduction%0A%0A00%3A36%20Meet%20Nick%20Crosby%3A%20Background%20and%20Work%0A%0A01%3A16%20Understanding%20the%20National%20Development%20Team%0A%0A03%3A25%20Internships%20and%20Employment%20Opportunities%0A%0A04%3A59%20The%20Small%20Supports%20Program%0A%0A12%3A04%20Principles%20of%20Small%20Supports%3A%20Relationships%20and%20Joy%0A%0A14%3A18%20Real-Life%20Success%20Stories%0A%0A15%3A48%20Building%20a%20Supportive%20Workforce%0A%0A18%3A59%20Challenges%20and%20Practicalities%0A%0A19%3A29%20Starting%20the%20Support%20Process%0A%0A21%3A52%20In-Depth%20Person-Centered%20Planning%0A%0A22%3A53%20Transition%20Process%20and%20Housing%20Adaptations%0A%0A24%3A02%20Challenges%20in%20Securing%20Housing%0A%0A24%3A48%20Creative%20Housing%20Solutions%0A%0A26%3A04%20Community-Based%20Support%20and%20Property%20Investors%0A%0A32%3A18%20Financial%20Benefits%20of%20Community%20Support%0A%0A38%3A01%20Adapting%20Small%20Supports%20Across%20Europe%0A%0A44%3A17%20Empowering%20Local%20Champions%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%0A%0AListen%20to%20the%20conversation%20%5Bon%20your%20favorite%20app.%5D%28https%3A//creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/inclusion-europe/episodes/From-Institutions-to-community-Conversation-with--Nic-Crosby-e34f48c%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Listen%20to%20related%20conversations%3A%0A%0A-%20%5BNeil%20Crowther%20of%20care%5D%28https%3A//creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/inclusion-europe/episodes/Discussion-on-social-care-with-Neil-Crowther---Inclusion-Europe-Radio-e1pmgft%29%0A-%20%5BSimo%20Vehmas%20and%20Reetta%20Mietola%20about%20their%20book%20Narrowed%20Lives%5D%28https%3A//creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/inclusion-europe/episodes/Narrowed-Lives-Meaning--Moral-Value--and-Profound-Intellectual-Disability--Inclusion-Europe-Radio-with-by-Simo-Vehmas-and-Reetta-Mietola-e1l5p4a%29%0A-%20%5BJulie%20Beadle-Brown%20and%20Jan%20Siska%20on%20quality%20of%20life%5D%28https%3A//creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/inclusion-europe/episodes/Julie-Beadle-Brown-and-Jan-Siska--Quality-of-life-as-focus-of-services-for-people-with-disabilities-e1h4gub%29%0A%0A%0A%0AAll%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20Radio%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/podcast%29%20episodes.","/from-institutions-to-community-nic-crosby","2025-06-20T12:53:59.000Z","2026-02-04T16:08:48.000Z",{"idx":1531,"title":1532,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1533,"picture":1534,"content_e2r":10,"content":1537,"excerpt":1538,"default_type":29,"url":1539,"created_at":1540,"modified_at":1541,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},160,"Europe in Action","Europe in Action, conference",{"alt":1535,"picture":1536},"Participants at Europe in Action in Brussels, 2022","https://str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca9050d.png","The%20aim%20of%20Europe%20in%20Action%20is%20to%20showcase%20the%20work%20being%20done%20for%20the%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20across%20Europe.%20%0A%0AThe%20conference%20is%20also%20an%20opportunity%20to%20help%20people%20and%20
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80ared%20their%20experiences%20and%20discussed%20ways%20of%20breaking%20down%20the%20barriers%20faced%20by%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20everyday%20lives.%0A%0A%5BThe%20conference%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/the-european-conference-for-self-advocates-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-want-rights-not-favors/%29%20brought%20together%20more%20than%20130%20self-advocates%20and%20supporters%20from%20all%20over%20Europe%20%28and%20beyond%29%20to%20talk%20about%20their%20lives%2C%20their%20rights%2C%20and%20the%20United%20Nations%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities.%0A%0A**The%20first%20event%20took%20place%20in%202009.**%0A%0A%21%5BHear%20our%20Voices%21%20Strong%2C%20loud%20and%20clear%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca9051d.png%29%0A%0A%5BAll%20our%20events.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/type/event%29%0A%0A","The European Platform of Self-Advocates organises a conference every 2 years.\nThe conference is called Hear our Voices!\n\n","/hear-our-voices","2025-06-23T15:24:53.000Z","2025-12-18T16:18:26.000Z",{"idx":1565,"title":1566,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1567,"picture":1568,"content_e2r":10,"content":1570,"excerpt":1571,"default_type":29,"url":1572,"created_at":1573,"modified_at":1574,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},163,"\"We make policies and laws more representative and inclusive\"","Soufiane El Amrani,employment,self-advocacy,policy",{"alt":1297,"picture":1569},"https://str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca90524.jpg","*Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%20speech%20for%20the%20%5BSkills%20for%20inclusion%2C%20skills%20for%20life%20event%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/skills-for-inclusion-skills-for-life-event-report%29%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%2C%2024%20June%202025.%20Soufiane%20was%20unable%20to%20attend%20the%20event%2C%20and%20his%20speech%20was%20presented%20by%20Inge%20Volleberg.*%0A%0A%0ABeing%20in%20the%20room%20is%20the%20first%20step%20to%20influence%20policies%20and%20decisions.%20%0APeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20can%20provide%20knowledge%2C%20expertise%2C%20and%20experience.%20%0A%0AWe%20make%20public%20communication%20accessible.%20%0AWe%20can%20also%20train%20policy-makers%20on%20inclusion.%0AThat%20way%2C%20policies%20and%20laws%20become%20more%20representative%20and%20inclusive.%20%0A%0AI%u2019ll%20give%20you%20some%20examples.%20%0A%0A**Robert%20Martin**%20was%20a%20self-advocate%20from%20New%20Zealand.%0AHe%20was%20part%20of%20the%20UN%20CRPD%20Committee%20for%20many%20years.%20%0A%0A%5BRobert%20Martin%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/robert-martin-first-person-with-intellectual-disabilities-on-crpd-committee-died%29%20made%20sure%20to%20include%20self-advocate%20and%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20the%20Committee%u2019s%20work.%20%0A%0AHe%20worked%20with%20governments%20and%20NGOs%20to%20advise%20on%20policies%20related%20to%20the%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0A**Another%20example%20are%20the%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20who%20are%20elected%20for%20public%20office.**%0A%0AYou%20can%20read%20more%20about%20them%20in%20%5BEurope%20for%20us%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/representation-matters-europe-for-us%29%20which%20is%20Inclusion%20Europe%u2019s%20easy-to-read%20magazine.%20%0AI%20enjoyed%20working%20on%20this%20issue%20of%20the%20magazine%20because%20I%20learnt%20how%20they%20work%2C%20how%20they%20got%20elected%20and%20about%20their%20views.%0A%0AThey%20do%20important%20work%20for%20inclusion.%0AThey%20push%20for%20change%20in%20their%20office%20to%20make%20it%20more%20inclusive.%20%0A%0A%21%5BSoufiane%20El%20Amrani%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca90525.jpg%29%0A%0A**In%20my%20work%20for%20Inclusion%20Europe**%20I%20help%20to%20create%20content%20in%20%5Beasy-to-read%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-standards-how-to-use-easy-to-read%29%20and%20understand%2C%20like%20newsletters%2C%20videos%2C%20podcast%20and%20the%20speech%20that%20I%20am%20telling%20you%20right%20now.%20%0A%0AI%20also%20contribute%20to%20reports%20and%20positions%20bringing%20my%20expertise%20and%20
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80%20a%20dedication%20from%20Ulla%3A%20%22Thank%20you%20for%20this%20important%20recognition%20for%20me%21%20For%20my%20work%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20Full%20citizenship%20against%20exclusion.%20We%20for%20ourselves%20will%20make%20it%20happen.%22%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca9052c.jpg%29%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A*%u201CWe%20for%20ourselves%21%u201D%20is%20the%20English%20translation%20of%20the%20name%20and%20slogan%20of%20the%20Finnish%20self-advocacy%20organisation%2C%20%5BMe%20Itse%20ry%5D%28https%3A//www.tukiliitto.fi/toiminta/me-itse-ry/%29*%0A%0ARead%20also%3A%0A%0A-%20%5BUlla%20Topi%20traineeship%20in%20inclusive%20policy-making%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/ulla-topi-traineeship-in-inclusive-policy-making%29%0A-%20%5BSoufiane%20El%20Amrani%3A%20We%20make%20policies%20and%20laws%20more%20representative%20and%20inclusive%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/we-make-policies-and-laws-more-representative-and-inclusive%29%0A%0A","Ulla Topi's speech about self-advocacy, policy success, and what her hopes are for people participating in the Ulla Topi traineeship in inclusive policy-making.","/full-citizenship-against-exclusion-we-will-make-it-happen","2025-06-25T11:26:11.000Z","2025-06-26T17:10:56.000Z",{"idx":1588,"title":1589,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1590,"picture":1591,"content_e2r":10,"content":1593,"excerpt":1594,"default_type":29,"url":1595,"created_at":1596,"modified_at":1597,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},165,"Ulla Topi traineeship in inclusive policy-making","Ulla Topi traineeship,Ulla Topi,jobs,Inclusion Europe",{"alt":1589,"picture":1592},"https://str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca90531.png","Ulla%20Topi%20is%20a%20Finnish%20self-advocate%20and%20activist.%20%0A%0AUlla%20Topi%20was%20the%20first%20President%20of%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Platform%20of%20Self%20Advocates.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-platform-of-self-advocates%29%20%0AElected%20in%202001%2C%20she%20said%20at%20the%20time%3A%20%0A%0A**%u201CWe%20want%20to%20be%20treated%20as%20independent%20human%20beings.%20%0AWe%20want%20people%20to%20take%20our%20hopes%20and%20needs%20seriously.%20%0AWe%20want%20our%20rights.%u201D**%20%0A%0AUlla%20Topi%20has%20paved%20a%20way%20for%20many%20self-advocates%20in%20Finland%20and%20Europe%20who%20followed%20in%20her%20stead.%20%0A%0AShe%20was%20also%20important%20in%20Inclusion%20Europe%20becoming%20a%20more%20inclusive%20organization%2C%20working%20better%20for%20and%20with%20self-advocates.%20%0A%0A**In%20honor%20of%20Ulla%20Topi%u2019s%20pioneering%20contribution**%20to%20the%20self-advocacy%20movement%20and%20European%20policy-making%2C%20young%20professionals%20coming%20to%20Inclusion%20Europe%20to%20learn%20about%20policy%20or%20communication%20will%20be%20taking%20part%20in%20what%20is%20now%20called%20**the%20Ulla%20Topi%20traineeship%20in%20inclusive%20policy-making.**%0A%0A%21%5BJyrki%20Pinomaa%20and%20Ulla%20Topi%20in%20Inclusion%20Europe%20office%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca9052f.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%u201CInclusion%20Europe%20helps%20many%20young%20professionals%20to%20get%20a%20good%20experience%20working%20in%20European%20policy%20and%20learning%20about%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%u2013%20but%20most%20importantly%20working%20alongside%20them%2C%u201D%20said%20Jyrki%20Pinomaa%2C%20president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20%0A%0A%u201CWe%u2019ve%20been%20offering%20traineeships%20for%20young%20professionals%20in%20Brussels%20for%20many%20years.%20There%20have%20been%20a%20lot%20of%20people%20who%20came%20to%20Inclusion%20Europe%20to%20learn%20and%20get%20new%20skills%20%u2013%20especially%20in%20inclusive%20policy%2C%20easy%20to%20read%20or%20accessible%20communication.%20They%20carry%20those%20skills%20and%20experiences%20into%20jobs%20in%20Brussels%20or%20elsewhere%2C%20contributing%20to%20a%20more%20inclusive%20world.%0A%0A%u201CInclusion%20Europe%20has%20also%20been%20employing%2
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80,169,"European Accessibility Act makes products and services more accessible","accessability,banking,Spain,Ireland,France,transport,European Accessibility Act",{"alt":1637,"picture":1638},"European Accessibility Act. 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80ask%20for%20help%20etc.%20%20%0A%0A%0A%21%5BSoufiane%20El%20Amrani%20speaking%20at%20conference%20about%20accessibility%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca90551.png%29%0A%0A%0A%22It%20is%20important%20to%20know%20how%20to%20move%20around%20to%20be%20able%20to%20travel%2C%20go%20to%20work%2C%20to%20the%20cinema%2C%20and%20other%20places%2C%22%20said%20%5BSoufiane%20El%20Amrani%5D%28/tag/soufiane-el-amrani%29%20during%20a%20conference%20on%20accessibility%2C%20which%20took%20place%20in%20July%202025%20in%20Brussels.%0A%0A%22Mobility%20is%20about%20being%20independent%20and%20connecting%20people%20with%20each%20other.%u201D%0A%0AFor%20more%20information%20on%20how%20to%20check%20if%20your%20law%20complies%20with%20the%20European%20%5BAccessibility%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/accessibility%29%20Act%2C%20you%20can%20also%20see%20%5BEDF%20toolkit.%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/publications/eaa-toolkit/%29%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%20%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%20","What does the European Disability Act mean for people with intellectual disabilities? ","/european-accessibility-act-makes-products-and-services-more-accessible","2025-07-11T11:17:28.000Z",{"idx":1644,"title":1645,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1646,"picture":1647,"content_e2r":10,"content":1648,"excerpt":1649,"default_type":29,"url":1650,"created_at":1651,"modified_at":1652,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},170,"Will the EU keep dedicated fund for social inclusion?","European Union,EU budget",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"The%20European%20Commission%20will%20present%20its%20proposal%20for%20new%20EU%20budget%20next%20week.%20The%20EU%20budget%20says%20how%20the%20EU%20will%20spend%20its%20money%20in%20the%20years%20following%202027.%0A%0AThere%20were%20many%20reports%20saying%20the%20European%20Commission%20would%20propose%20a%20budget%20without%20a%20dedicated%20fund%20for%20inclusion.%20%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20is%20one%20of%20many%20organisations%20**calling%20on%20the%20EU%20to%20keep%20investing%20in%20inclusion%20of%20people%20%28with%20disabilities%29.**%0A%0AThe%20European%20Parliament%2C%20in%20its%20resolution%20on%20the%20next%20EU%20budget%2C%20%5Bdemands%5D%28https%3A//eubudget.europarl.europa.eu/en/our-position/%29%20continued%20funding%20of%20social%20inclusion.%20%28%5BMore%20explanation%5D%28https%3A//eubudget.europarl.europa.eu/en/%29%20on%20the%20budget%20from%20the%20European%20Parliament.%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20EU%20money%20for%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20families%0A%0AIn%20March%2C%20we%20published%20**%5Bour%20call%20for%20EU%20money%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29%20for%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.**%0A%0A-%20The%20importance%20of%20investing%20in%20people%2C%20their%20skills%20and%20inclusion%0A-%20Conditions%20to%20
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80align%20funds%20with%20international%20legal%20frameworks%0A*%20The%20partnership%20principle%2C%20to%20ensure%20EU%20funds%20meet%20local%20needs%0A*%20Funding%20for%20local%20initiatives%2C%20instead%20of%20solely%20large-scale%20projects%0A*%20Focus%20on%20long-term%20priorities%20and%20reforms%2C%20rather%20than%20short-term%20investments%20only.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Promise%20of%20change%3F%0A%0AAs%20the%20latest%20statement%20was%20published%2C%20%5Breports%5D%28https%3A//www.politico.eu/article/socialist-ursula-von-der-leyen-eu-budget-seven-year-commission-president/%29%20emerged%20on%2010%20July%20that%20the%20European%20Commission%20will%20change%20its%20original%20proposal%20to%20keep%20the%20dedicated%20social%20fund.%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20keeps%20advocating%20for%20good%20policies%20and%20proper%20funding%20to%20end%20segregation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20isolation%20of%20their%20families.","As the European Union prepares its new budget, many organisations (Inclusion Europe among them) call on it to keep funding inclusion.","/will-the-eu-keep-dedicated-funds-for-social-inclusion","2025-07-11T12:23:27.000Z","2025-07-11T12:33:33.000Z",{"idx":1654,"title":1655,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1646,"picture":1656,"content_e2r":10,"content":1657,"excerpt":1658,"default_type":29,"url":1659,"created_at":1660,"modified_at":1661,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},171,"Next EU budget proposal - what does it mean for people with intellectual disabilities?",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"The%20European%20Commission%20presented%20%5Bits%20proposal%5D%28https%3A//commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget/eu-budget-2028-2034_en%23next-steps%29%20on%20the%20next%20EU%20long-term%20budget%20%28MFF%29%202028-2035.%20The%20new%20budget%20will%20be%20up%20to%202%20trillion%20euros.%20%20%0A%0AA%20lot%20of%20money%20will%20impact%20the%20life%20of%20the%2020%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20%20%0A%0AThe%20proposal%20serves%20as%20a%20basis%20for%20negotiation%20with%20the%20EU%20Council%20%28EU%20countries%29%20and%20the%20EU%20Parliament%20for%20the%20next%202%20years.%20It%20will%20probably%20not%20stay%20as%20it%20is%20now.%20%20%20%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20presented%20%5Bhow%20we%20think%20EU%20money%20should%20be%20used%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29%20for%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20and%20their%20families.%20%20%0A%0AIn%20this%20article%2C%20we%20summarise%20the%20EU%20budget%20proposal%3A%0A%0A*%20Highlighting%20points%20that%20are%20relevant%20to%20the%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%0A*%20Highlighting%20the%20questions%20that%20need%20to%20be%20solved%20in%20a%20good%20way%20for%20inclusion%0A*%20Inviting%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20representative%20organisations%20to%20speak%20to%20their%20governments%20ahead%20of%20the%20negotiations%21%20%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%2014%25%20of%20EU%20money%20for%20EU%20countries%20to%20be%20spent%20on%20social%20commitments%20%0A%0AThe%20National%20and%20Regional%20Partnership%20Plans%20is%20the%20new%20system%20for%20EU%20countries%20to%20spend%20EU%20money%20%28865%20billion%20euros%29.%20%20%0A%0AIt%20merges%20some%20funds%20%28like%20Cohesion%20Funds%2C%20and%20Agriculture%20funds%29%20with%20a%20focus%20on%20achieving%20results.%20%20%0A%0AThese%20plans%20aim%20for%20EU%20money%20to%20be%20used%20by%20EU%20countries%20and%20their%20regions%20to%20
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events self-advocates around Europe organise to be seen and to be heard.","/self-advocacy-events-hear-our-voices!-events-2025","2025-08-29T15:27:13.000Z","2025-11-18T17:00:40.000Z",{"idx":1686,"title":1687,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1688,"picture":1689,"content_e2r":10,"content":1691,"excerpt":1692,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1693,"created_at":1694,"modified_at":1695,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},174,"First sibling focus group","siblings,families,Inge Volleberg",{"alt":132,"picture":1690},"https://str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e787020.jpg","On%202%20September%2C%20I%20had%20the%20first%20sibling%20focus%20group%20for%20Inclusion%20Europe%27s%20project%20on%20the%20situation%20of%20young%20families%20with%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20which%20we%20organise%20together%20with%20Tania%20Damianova-Sabir.%0A%0AFor%20me%2C%20it%20was%20incredibly%20important%20to%20include%20siblings%20and%20their%20lived%20experiences%20in%20this%20project.%20**Too%20often%20when%20we%20talk%20about%20families%20and%20family%20members%2C%20siblings%20are%20forgotten%20or%20overlooked.**%20But%20they%20are%20part%20of%20the%20family%20unit%2C%20they%20too%20provide%20support%20to%20their%20sibling%20or%20parents%2C%20they%20too%20are%20affected%20by%20the%20situation%20regarding%20their%20sibling.%0A%0AAnd%20the%20discussion%20we%20had%20today%20during%20the%20focus%20group%20showed%20all%20of%20that%20and%20more.%20**We%20discussed%20the%20positives%20of%20being%20a%20sibling%2C%20the%20support%20they%20provided%20at%20home%2C%20and%20the%20support%20they%20had%20needed%20themselves%20but%20was%20very%20hard%20to%20find.**%0A%0AIt%20is%20days%20like%20this%20that%20remind%20me%20of%20the%20importance%20of%20the%20work%20we%20do%2C%20not%20only%20for%20the%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20but%20also%20for%20the%20important%20people%20in%20their%20lives%20who%20are%20also%20hurting%20because%20of%20this%20segregating%20system.%20%0A%0AMore%20focus%20groups%20are%20coming%20up.%20And%20**we%20are%20also%20looking%20for%20parents%20who%20would%20like%20to%20participate.**%20%5BEmail%20me%5D%28mailto%[email protected]%29%20if%20you%20are%20interested.%0A%0AI%20can%27t%20wait%20until%20we%20can%20share%20more%20about%20our%20findings%2C%20so%20stay%20tuned%20%uD83D%uDE09%0A%0A%0A**You%20can%20read%20also%3A**%0A%0A*%20%5B%22We%20had%20a%20normal%20relationship%2C%20but%20people%20treated%20us%20differently%22%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/we-had-a-normal-relationship-but-people-treated-us-differently%29%0A*%20%5BInge%20and%20Esther%3A%20story%20of%20love%20and%20support%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inge-and-esther-a-story-of-love-and-support%29%0A","Inge Volleberg writes about our new project listening to young parents and siblings of children with intellectual disabilities.","/first-sibling-focus-group","2025-09-03T10:43:10.000Z","2025-12-18T12:06:06.000Z",{"idx":1697,"title":1698,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1699,"picture":1700,"content_e2r":10,"content":1702,"excerpt":1703,"default_type":29,"url":1704,"created_at":1705,"modified_at":1706,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},175,"State of the European Union from the perspective of people with intellectual disabilities and their families","European Union,Freddy Jussien",{"alt":132,"picture":1701},"https://str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c24.jpg","The%20State%20of%20the%20European%20Union%20speech%20is%20one%20of%20the%20most%20important%20moments%20for%20the%20EU%20each%20year.%0A%20%0AEvery%20September%2C%20the%20President%20of%20the%20European%20Commission%20speaks%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%2C%20explaining%20what%20the%20European%20Union%20has%20done%2C%20what%20it%20is%20working%20on%2C%20and%20what%20are%20its%20plans%20for%20the%20future.%0A%20%0AThis%20speech%20is%20important%20because%20it%20shows%20citizens%20what%20the%20EU%20is%20doing%20%u2013%20or%20not%20doing.%0A%20%0AAlso%20today%2C%2010%20September%202025%2C%20Ursula%20von%20der%20Leyen%20gave%20the%20State%20of%20the%20European%20Union%20speech%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%20in%20Strasbourg.%20%0A%20%0AHer%20speech%20comes%20at%20a%20time%20when%20the%20EU%20is%20discussing%20very%20important%20policies%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%2C%20such%20as%20the%20%5Bnext%20EU%20budget%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/next-eu-budget-proposal-what-does-it-mean-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities%29%20the%20next%20phase%20of%20the%20EU%20Disability%20Strategy%2C%20and%20its%20Anti-Poverty%20Strategy.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83D%uDC47%20This%20is%20the%20%22State%20of%20the%20European%20Union%22%20from%20the%20perspective%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%2C%20Mrs.%20von%20der%20Leyen.%20%0A%0AYou%20said%20%uD83C%uDFE1%3A%20%0A%22A%20home%20is%20not%20just%20four%20walls%20and%20a%20roof.%20It%20is%20safety%2C%20warmth%2C%20a%20place%20for%20family%20and%20friends.%20It%20is%20belonging.%22%0A%0ATrue%20%u2014%20but%20not%20for%20the%20millions%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20who%20do%20not%20have%20%5Baccess%20to%20
80a%20home%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-issues-ideas-practices%29%20especially%20those%20segregated%20in%20%22care%22%20institutions.%20%0A%0AYou%20said%20%uD83E%uDDD1%u200D%uD83C%uDF73%20%uD83D%uDC69%u200D%uD83D%uDD27%20%uD83E%uDDD1%u200D%uD83C%uDFEB%3A%20%0A%22When%20we%20talk%20about%20competitiveness%20we%20talk%20about%20jobs.%0AWe%20are%20talking%20about%20people%20and%20their%20livelihoods.%22%0A%0ATrue%20%u2014%20so%20let%27s%20talk%20about%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20who%20do%20not%20have%20access%20to%20%5Bjobs%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/examples-and-ideas-for-employment-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities%29%20often%20doing%20%22job-like%22%20activities%20in%20segregated%20settings%20for%20only%20%22pocket%20money%22%20instead%20of%20a%20real%20pay.%20%0A%0AYou%20said%20%uD83D%uDDE3%uFE0F%3A%20%0A%22Europe%27s%20independence%20is%20about%20protecting%20our%20freedoms.%0AThe%20freedom%20to%20decide.%20To%20speak%20out.%20To%20move%20around%20a%20whole%20continent.%0AThe%20freedom%20to%20vote.%20To%20love.%20To%20pray.%22%20%0A%0ATrue%20%u2014%20but%20are%20these%20freedoms%20really%20protected%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%3F%20Too%20many%20are%20deprived%20of%20their%20%5Bright%20to%20decide%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%20and%20to%20vote%2C%20left%20without%20support%20to%20take%20decisions.%0A%0AThese%20are%20the%20views%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20in%20Europe%20showed%20by%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%0A%0A%21%5BRight%20to%20live%20independently%20in%20Inclusion%20Indicators%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c03.png%29%0A%0A%0A%0AIt%27s%20the%20duty%20of%20the%20European%20Commission%20to%20make%20the%20pictures%20look%20better.%20Inclusion%20Europe%20will%20continue%20to%20help%20for%20a%20true%20Union%20of%20Equality.%0A%0A*Read%20more%20from%20%5BFreddy%20Jussien.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Freddy%2520Jussien%29*%0A"," Freddy Jussien, Advocacy Lead at Inclusion Europe, shares his views on the State of the European Union speech.","/state-of-the-european-union-from-the-perspective-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families","2025-09-10T16:42:20.000Z","2025-12-18T11:57:15.000Z",{"idx":1708,"title":1709,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1710,"picture":1711,"content_e2r":10,"content":1714,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":1715,"created_at":1716,"modified_at":1717,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},176,"Gender (in)equality of women and girls with intellectual disabilities in Europe","Women,Sexual and reproductive health and rights,violence,segregation,discrimination,inclusion,gender equality,Helena Lambsdorff",{"alt":1712,"picture":1713},"Gender (in)equality of women and girls with intellectual disabilities in Europe. Two hands hold up a sign with the female gender sign.","https://str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c05.jpg","Women%20and%20girls%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20experience%20a%20lot%20of%20discrimination%20and%20violence%20in%20Europe.%20This%20report%20outlines%20their%20situation%20and%20calls%20on%20the%20EU%20to%20include%20their%20voices%20in%20the%20next%20Gender%20Equality%20Strategy.%0A%0A%5BRead%20the%20report%20here%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c0a.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0AWomen%20and%20girls%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20some%20of%20the%20highest%20levels%20of%20discrimination%20in%20Europe.%20They%20are%20more%20likely%20to%20experience%20violence%2C%20to%20be%20excluded%20from%20school%2C%20and%20to%20have%20their%20right%20to%20make%20decisions%20taken%20away.%0A%0AThey%20are%20often%20overlooked%20in%20gender%20equality%20and%20disability%20policies.%20This%20means%20their%20needs%20are%20not%20considered%20when%20laws%20and%20strategies%20are%20made.%0A%0AThe%20report%20shows%20how%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20denied%20rights%20in%20many%20areas%20of%20life%3A%20education%2C%20work%2C%20healthcare%2C%20housing%2C%20representation%2C%20and%20the%20right%20to%20live%20free%20from%20violence.%0A%0AIt%20also%20highlights%20positive%20examples%2C%20such%20as%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20becoming%20political%20leaders%20and%20self-advocates.%20These%20stories%20show%20what%20is%20possible
80%20when%20barriers%20are%20removed.%0A%0AThe%20report%20calls%20on%20the%20EU%20and%20member%20states%20to%20make%20sure%20the%20next%20Gender%20Equality%20Strategy%20%282026%u20132030%29%20includes%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A%0A%0AMore%20reports%3A%20%0A%0A%5BLife%20after%20violence%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/LAV-Publication_web.pdf%29%0A%0A%5BVoting%20for%20all%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Voting_for_all_guide_EN.pdf%29%0A%0A%5BRight%20to%20decide%20and%20political%20life%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Legal-capacity-and-citizenship-English.pdf%29%0A%0A%5BInclusion%20Indicators%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca9050b.pdf%29","/gender-(in)equality-of-women-and-girls-with-intellectual-disabilities-in-europe","2025-09-16T15:38:10.000Z","2025-12-18T11:49:58.000Z",{"idx":1719,"title":1720,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":705,"picture":1721,"content_e2r":10,"content":1723,"excerpt":1724,"default_type":29,"url":1725,"created_at":1726,"modified_at":1727,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},177,"The Impact of Russiaâs invasion of Ukraine on the Rights of People with Learning Disabilities and Autism",{"alt":132,"picture":1722},"https://str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c22.jpg","**Richard%20Baker**%20is%20member%20of%20the%20Parliament%20%28MP%29%20of%20the%20United%20Kingdom.%20Before%20becoming%20an%20MP%2C%20Richard%20Baker%20worked%20for%20%5BEnable%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.enable.org.uk/%29%20Inclusion%20Europe%20member%20in%20Scotland.%0A%0A%0A%0A%0ARichard%20Baker%20%5Bpublished%5D%28https%3A//richardbakerforglenrothesandmidfife.co.uk/report-impact-of-russias-invasion-on-ukraine-on-people-with-learning-disabilities/%29%20a%20report%20about%20the%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20in%20%5BUkraine%2C%5D%28/tag/ukraine%29%20and%20how%20the%20Russian%20war%20impacts%20them.%0A%0AIn%20the%20United%20Kingdom%2C%20they%20use%20the%20term%20%22learning%20disabilities%22%20where%20we%20use%20the%20term%20%22intellectual%20disabilities%22.%0A%0A**Read%20the%20report%3A%20%5BThe%20Impact%20of%20Russia%27s%20Invasion%20of%20Ukraine%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20People%20with%20Learning%20Disabilities%20and%20Austim%20%28PDF%29%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c0b.pdf%29**%0A%0A%0A%21%5BRichard%20Baker%20ith%20Yuliia%20Klepets%20%28l%29%20and%20Raisa%20Kravchenko%20%28centre%29%20of%20the%20NGO%20Coalition%20in%20Ukraine.%20Photo%3A%20Website%20Richard%20Baker%20MP%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c0f.png%29%0A%0AThe%20report%20was%20prepared%20by%20Richard%20Baker%20in%20collaboration%20with%20our%20member%20in%20Ukraine%2C%20the%20NGO%20Coalition%2C%20and%20with%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20%0A%0A%0A%23%23%20What%20is%20in%20the%20report%0A%0ARichard%20Baker%20writes%20in%20his%20introduction%20to%20the%20report%3A%0A%0A%22The%20findings%20of%20these%20reports%20document%2C%20in%20detail%2C%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20war%20on%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20They%20show%3A%0A*%20How%20community%20support%20networks%20have%20collapsed%2C%20leaving%20families%20isolated.%0A*%20How%20displacement%20and%20housing%20destruction%20have%20driven%20thousands%20back%20into%20institutions.%0A*%20How%20the%20healthcare%20and%20rehabilitation%20system%20has%20crumbled%2C%20cutting%20off%20access%20to%20medicines%20and%20therapies.%0A*%20How%20rights%20reforms%20have%20stalled%2C%20with%20guardianship%20entrenched%20and%20futures%20uncertain.%0A%0AMost%20importantly%2C%20this%20report%20places%20these%20realities%20alongside%20the%20human%20voices%20of%20those%20living%20through%20them.%20People%20like%20Vitaliy%20Zegelev%2C%20who%20had%20not%20left%20his%20Kyiv%20apartment%20in%20three%20years%2C%20terrified%20by%20air%20raid%20sirens%20and%20wholly%20dependent%20on%20his%20mother%3B%20Raisa%20and%20Yuliia%2C%20who%20embody%20the%20daily%20courage%20of%20caregiving%20under%20bombardment%3B%20and%20Mykola%20and%20Anastasiya%20Volodin%2C%20disabled%20children%20abducted%20from%20a%20Kherson%20institution%20
80and%20taken%20to%20Crimea%2C%20their%20identities%20rewritten%20under%20occupation.%0A%0ATheir%20stories%20remind%20us%20that%20inclusion%2C%20dignity%2C%20and%20the%20right%20to%20live%20in%20the%20community%20are%20not%20luxuries%20to%20be%20postponed%20until%20after%20the%20war.%20They%20are%20obligations%u2014under%20international%20law%2C%20under%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%2C%20and%20above%20all%20under%20the%20shared%20principles%20of%20humanity.%22%0A%0A%21%5BRichard%20Baker%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c0d.jpg%29%0A%0A%0A%0AThe%20report%20offers%20case%20studies%20of%20people%20and%20how%20their%20lives%20are%20impacted.%20It%20also%20offers%20recommendations%20for%20what%20goverments%20and%20organisations%20should%20do%20to%20support%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20in%20Ukraine.%0A%0A%0A**Read%20the%20report%3A%20%5BThe%20Impact%20of%20Russia%27s%20Invasion%20of%20Ukraine%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20People%20with%20Learning%20Disabilities%20and%20Austim%20%28PDF%29%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c0b.pdf%29**%0A%0AYou%20can%20read%20also%3A%0A%0A*%20%5BPeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20in%20Ukraine.%20Report%20on%20their%20situation%20and%20impact%20of%20war%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-in-ukraine.-report-on-their-situation-and-impact-of-war%29%0A*%20%5BInclusion%20indicators%20for%20Ukraine%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators/ua/2024%29%0A*%20%5BEurope%20in%20Action%20conference%20in%20Glasgow%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2024-report%29%20mentioned%20in%20the%20report%0A%0A%0A%0A","Richard Baker, member of the UK Parliament, published a report about people with intellectual disabilities and their families in Ukraine.","/ukraine-ights-of-people-with-learning-disabilities-and-autism","2025-09-18T08:32:58.000Z","2025-09-25T11:50:59.000Z",{"idx":1729,"title":1730,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1731,"picture":1732,"content_e2r":10,"content":1734,"excerpt":1735,"default_type":29,"url":1736,"created_at":1737,"modified_at":1738,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},178,"Stronger together for full rights and inclusion in Europe and everywhere in the World","Europe,Milan Å veÅepa,World Congress",{"alt":132,"picture":1733},"https://str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c25.jpg","Last%20week%20at%20Inclusion%20International%20World%20Congress%20was%20about%20meeting%20people%20from%20around%20the%20world%20and%20learning%20from%20all%20the%20great%20work%20being%20done%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion.%20%0A%0AIt%27s%20always%20great%20to%20come%20together%2C%20to%20discuss%20about%20our%20work%20-%20to%20recharge%20our%20Inclusion%20batteries%20with%20new%2C%20shared%20energy.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20We%27ll%20need%20it.%0A%0ABecause%20if%20there%27s%20one%20take%20away%20for%20me%2C%20it%27s%20this%20-%20We%20need%20to%20roll%20up%20our%20sleeves%2C%20and%20dig%20in%20our%20heels.%0A%0AThere%20are%20many%20governments%20in%20Europe%20%28and%20in%20other%20places%20too%29%20making%20lives%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20harder.%0A%0A-%20Cutting%20money%20for%20support.%0A-%20Allowing%20worse%20quality%20of%20services.%0A-%20Bringing%20back%20institutions.%0A%0AIt%27s%20not%20something%20I%20just%20learned%20there%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe%20session%20with%20European%20organisations.%20This%20has%20been%20going%20on%20for%20some%20time%20%28I%20often%20bring%20it%20up%20in%20my%20posts%20or%20videos%29.%0A%0ABut%20hearing%20it%20within%2015%20minutes%20from%20literally%20everyone%20in%20the%20room%20is%20another%20matter.%0A%0AThere%20were%20colleagues%20from%20Armenia%20%uD83C%uDDE6%uD83C%uDDF2%20Bulgaria%20%uD83C%uDDE7%uD83C%uDDEC%20Denmark%20%uD83C%uDDE9%uD83C%uDDF0%20Finland%20%uD83C%uDDEB%uD83C%uDDEE%20Germany%20%uD83C%uDDE9%uD83C%uDDEA%20Hungary%20%uD83C%uDDED%uD83C%uDDFA%20Ireland%20%uD83C%uDDEE%uD83C%uDDEA%20Norway%20%uD83C%uDDF3%uD83C%uDDF4%20Romania%20%uD83C%uDDF7%uD83C%uDDF4%20Spain%20%uD83C%uDDEA%uD83C%uDDF8%20Sweden%20%uD83C%uDDF8%uD83C%uDDEA%20United%20Kingdom%20%uD83C%uDDEC%uD83C%uDDE7%20Moldova%20%uD83C%uDDF2%uD83C%uDDE9%20at%20the%20conference.%0A%0APlus%20the%20knowledge%20from%20our%20team%20about%20Portugal%20%uD83C%uDDF5%uD83C%uDDF9%20Netherlands%20%uD83C%uDDF3%uD83C%uDDF1%20France%20%uD83C%uDDEB%uD83C%uDDF7%20Belgium%20%uD83C%uDDE7%uD83C%uDDEA%20Czechia%20%uD83C%uDDE8%uD83C%uDDFF.%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20The%20picture%20was%20quite%20clear.%0A%21%5BSession%20participants%20discussing%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c12.jpeg%29%0A%0AI%27m%20glad%20for%20this%20experience.%0A%0ANot%20happy%20this%20is%20being%20done%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%2C%20but%20glad%20we%20could%20be%20there%20together%20to%20see%20it%20and%20talk%20about%20what%20we%20need%20do%20about%20it.%0A%0AThis%20movement%20brings%20together%20some%20of%20the%20strongest%20and%20most%20resilient%20people.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20We%20won%27t%20accept%20backsliding.%0A%0AWe%27ll%20roll%20up%20our%20sleeves%20to%20put%20up%20a%20fight.%20%0A%0AWe%27ll%20dig%20in%20our%20heels%20to%20stand%20agains%20the%20backward%20policies%20so%20many%20are%20trying%20to%20normalise.%0A%0ATogether%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion%21%0A%0A%21%5BSession%20participants%20discussing%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c11.jpeg%29%0A","Milan Å veÅepa writes about his impressions from the World Congress of Inclusion International.","/stronger-together-for-full-rights-and-inclusion-in-europe-and-everywhere-in-the-world","2025-09-22T16:16:54.000Z","2025-09-29T11:22:56.000Z",{"idx":1740,"title":1741,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1742,"picture":1743,"content_e2r":10,"content":1746,"excerpt":1747,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1748,"created_at":1749,"modified_at":1750,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},179,"\"The internet is powerful, but if you donât know how to use it, you are kind of lost.\" "," accessibility,self-advocacy,inclusion,support",{"alt":1744,"picture":1745},"Lydia Fisher","https://str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c13.jpg","%u201CThe%20internet%20is%20important%2C%0Abecause%20I%20use%20it%20for%20work%20and%20for%20my%20personal%20life.%20%0AI%20like%20traveling%2C%20but%20sometimes%2C%20when%20things%20are%20not%20clear%2C%0AI%20need%20to%20ask%20for%20support%20%u2014%20like%20booking%20a%20hotel.%20%0A%0A%22The%20internet%20is%20powerful%2C%20%0Abut%20if%20you%20don%u2019t%20know%20how%20to%20use%20it%2C%20you%20are%20kind%20of%20lost.%20%0AEveryone%20wants%20to%20get%20the%20right%20support%21%u201D%20%20%0A%0A%20%0A**Lydia%20Fisher%2C**%20self-advocate%20from%20Ireland%2C%20spoke%20on%20a%20panel%20on%20accessibility%20of%20websites%20and%20apps%20organised%20by%20IAAP%20-%20International%20Association%20of%20Accessibility%20Professionals.%20%0A%20%0AThis%20webinar%2C%20which%20took%20place%2023%20September%202025%2C%20was%20organised%20to%20mark%20the%205th%20birthday%20of%20the%20Web%20Accessibility%20Directive.%20This%20is%20a%20law%20saying%20that%20governments%20and%20other%20public%20administrations%20in%20Europe%20must%20make%20their%20websites%20and%20apps%20accessible.%20T%0A%20%0ALydia%20also%20shared%20great%20ideas%20to%20make%20public%20websites%20and%20apps%20better%3A%0A-%20%u201CMake%20easy-to-read%20to%20get%20people%20interested.%u201D%0A-%20%u201CSimple%20is%20best%21%20Try%20to%20not%20make%20it%20complicated.%u201D%0A-%20%u201CWork%20with%20people%20with%20disabilities%20and%20ask%20them%20if%20what%20you%20are%20doing%20is%20accessible.%20If%20it%20isn%u2019t%2C%20there%20is%20another%20way%20to%20do%20it.%u201D","Lydia Fisher, self-advocate from Ireland, spoke on the accessibility of websites and apps and the importance of getting the right support. ","/the-internet-is-powerful-but-if-you-dont-know-how-to-use-it-you-are-kind-of-lost.","2025-09-23T15:45:57.000Z","2025-09-23T16:21:27.000Z",{"idx":1752,"title":1753,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1754,"picture":1755,"content_e2r":10,"content":1757,"excerpt":1758,"default_type":29,"url":1759,"created_at":1760,"modified_at":1761,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},180,"To stop sexual violence against people with intellectual disabilities, have a look at these areas...","sexual violence,violence,women,deinstitutionalisation,education,stigma,justice,Intersectionality,Helena Lambsdorff",{"alt":132,"picture":1756},"https://str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e787021.jpg","Women%20and%20girls%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20experience%20violence%20at%20much%20higher%20rates%20than%20almost%20any%20other%20group.%0A%0AEspecially%20sexual%20violence.%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%27s%20report%20%u201CLife%20after%20violence%u201D%20found%20that%3A%0A-%2060%25%20reported%20experiencing%20sexual%20harassment%20since%20the%20age%20of%2015.%0A-%2025%25%20reported%20being%20stalked.%0A-%2045%25%20said%20they%20experienced%20physical%2C%20sexual%2C%20or%20psychological%20violence%20before%20the%20age%20of%2015.%0A%0AThe%20numbers%20speak%20for%20themselves.%20%0A%0AStill%2C%20I%20am%20glad%20I%20got%20the%20chance%20to%20talk%20more%20about%20sexual%20violence%20against%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%u2013%20and%20how%20to%20prevent%20it.%20%0A%0ATo%20prevent%20sexual%20violence%20against%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20these%20areas%20need%20to%20be%20sustainably%20changed.%0A-%20Institutionalisation%0A-%20Segregation%20through%20noninclusive%20schools%0A-%20Stigma%0A-%20Lack%20of%20easy-to-read%20and%20understand%20information%20available%20and%20accessible%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0A-%20Lack%20of%20information%20and%20support%20for%20families%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0A-%20Lack%20of%20training%20for%20mainstream%20service%20prov
80iders%20and%20people%20in%20the%20legal%20system%20on%20how%20to%20work%20with%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0A%0ABut%20as%20these%20topics%20all%20require%20%28and%20deserve%29%20in-depth%20explanations%2C%20I%20will%20make%20a%20post%20on%20each%20of%20them.%20%0A%0AStay%20tuned%20for%20more%21%20%0A%0AI%20promise%20it%27s%20worth%20learning%20about.%20%0A%0AThe%20event%20was%20part%20of%20CBM%20Italia%27s%20project%20CARE-INT%20%u2013%20a%20project%20looking%20to%20train%20service%20providers%20on%20how%20to%20recognise%20and%20prevent%20sexual%20abuse%20against%20women%20with%20disabilities.%20%0A%0AI%20am%20very%20grateful%20I%20got%20to%20speak%20%28next%29%20to%20such%20wonderful%20women%20and%20colleagues%2C%20all%20raising%20awareness%20and%20working%20towards%20a%20violence-free%20and%20inclusive%20world.%0A%0A*Read%20more%20from%20%5BHelena%20Lambsdorff.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Helena%2520Lambsdorff%29*","Helena Lambsdorff writes about sexual violence against women and girls with intellectual disabilities and how to prevent it. ","/to-stop-sexual-violence-against-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-have-a-look-at-these-areas...","2025-09-24T17:17:16.000Z","2025-12-18T12:06:26.000Z",{"idx":1763,"title":1764,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1765,"picture":1766,"content_e2r":10,"content":1768,"excerpt":1769,"default_type":29,"url":1770,"created_at":1771,"modified_at":1772,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},181,"Respecting the right to vote, improving democracy. Recommendations to Council of Europe on Parameters of Democracy","Council of Europe,representation,political participation,right to vote,accessability",{"alt":132,"picture":1767},"https://str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c20.jpg","*%20It%20is%20important%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20represented%20and%20visible%20in%20all%20aspects%20of%20society%20and%20politics.%20So%20they%20can%20advocate%20for%20their%20rights%2C%20views%20and%20expectations.%0A*%20But%2C%20many%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20left%20out%20of%20democracy%20in%20Europe.%0A*%20People%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20must%20be%20treated%20as%20equal%20citizens%20with%20equal%20voting%20rights%20and%20access%20to%20elections.%0A%0AThe%20Council%20of%20Europe%20is%20an%20international%20organisation%20with%2046%20member%20states.%20Its%20job%20is%20to%20protect%20human%20rights%2C%20democracy%2C%20and%20the%20rule%20of%20law%20across%20Europe.%20Their%20work%20is%20also%20to%20help%20countries%20check%20how%20well%20they%20respect%20democracy%20and%20where%20they%20need%20to%20improve.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20are%20the%20Parameters%3F%0A%0AIn%202023%2C%20the%20Council%20of%20Europe%20agreed%20on%20the%20%5BReykjav%EDk%20Principles%20for%20Democracy.%5D%28https%3A//www.coe.int/en/web/steering-committee-on-democracy/10-principles-for-democracy%29%20These%20principles%20describe%20what%20strong%20and%20fair%20democracies%20should%20look%20like.%0A%0ANow%2C%20the%20Council%20of%20Europe%20is%20developing%20the%20Parameters.%20The%20Parameters%20are%20practical%20rules%20helping%20countries%20to%20check%20how%20well%20they%20respect%20democracy%20and%20where%20they%20need%20to%20improve.%20%0A%0AAs%20part%20of%20this%20work%2C%20the%20Council%20of%20Europe%20organised%20a%20public%20%5Bconsultation%5D%28https%3A//www.coe.int/en/web/steering-committee-on-democracy/-/public-consultation-on-the-draft-parameters-for-the-implementation-of-the-reykjavik-principles-for-democracy%29%20and%20asked%20for%20feedback.%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20took%20part%20in%20this%20consultation.%20We%20spoke%20about%20the%20reality%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20regards%20to%20%5Bpolitical%20participation%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/voting-rights%29%20and%20we%20shared%20our%20demands%20and%20recommendations.%0A%0A**Democracy%3F%3A**%0A%0A*%20**In%2014%20countries%20people%20can%20be%20denied%20the%20right%20to%20vote**%20because%20their%20legal%20capacity%20was%20removed.%0A*%20In%2020%20countries%20there%20is%20no%20person%20with%20an%20intellectual%20disability%20part%20of%20the%20council%20of%20the%20national%20organisation.%0A*%20In%2013%20countries%20our%20member%20organisations%20do%20not%20receive%20government%20funding%20for%20their%20advocacy%20work.%0A%20%0A%23%23%23%23%20%u201CNearly%2050%2C000%20people%20under%20guardianship%20couldn%u2019t%20vote%20in%20Hungary.%20We%20need%20the%20right%20to%20vote%20so%20that%20decision-makers%20do%20not%20make%20decisions%20about%20us%20without%20us%20having%20a%20say.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%22Some%20don%u2019t%20see%20the%20problem%2C%20and%20yet%3A%20No%20other%20citizen%20must%20pass%20an%20IQ%20test%20to%20vote.%20Why%20should%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20have%20to%20do%20so%3F%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%22Does%20it%20mean%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20second-class%20citizens%3F%u201D%20%0A%0A*%20%5BL%E1szl
80%F3%20Bercse%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/after-elections-fight-continues%29%20Vice-President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A%0A%0A%23%23%20What%20needs%20to%20be%20done%0A%0AWe%20ask%20the%20Council%20of%20Europe%20to%20make%20the%20democracy%20Parameters%20stronger%20by%20clearly%20requiring%3A%0A%0A*%20The%20%5Bright%20to%20vote%20and%20stand%20for%20election%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/voting-rights%29%20for%20all%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20regardless%20of%20their%20legal%20capacity%20status.%0A*%20%5BAccessible%20elections%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/different-ways-of-making-elections-accessible%29%20in%20practice.%20For%20example%20%5Beasy-to-read%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-standards-how-to-use-easy-to-read%29%20information%2C%20supported%20decision-making%2C%20and%20polling%20procedures%20designed%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A*%20Civil%20participation%20processes%20to%20be%20inclusive%20and%20accessible.%20This%20includes%20consultations%2C%20deliberative%20forums%20and%20civil%20dialogue.%0A*%20Recognition%20and%20sustainable%20support%20for%20%5Bself-advocacy%20groups%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-platform-of-self-advocates%29%20as%20essential%20civil%20society%20actors.%0A*%20Protections%20against%20exclusion%2C%20political%20pressure%2C%20financial%20cuts%20and%20disinformation.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Why%20this%20matters%0A%0AWith%20these%20measures%20added%2C%20the%20new%20Parameters%20will%20be%20a%20stronger%20tool%20to%20measure%20the%20quality%20of%20democracy.%0A%0ADemocracy%20is%20only%20complete%20if%20everyone%20can%20fully%20vote%20and%20participate%20-%20including%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A**Read%20also%3A**%0A%0A*%20%5BProfiles%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20elected%20to%20office%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/representation-matters-europe-for-us%29%0A*%20%5BEurope%20for%20Us%20easy-to-read%20amagazine%20about%20the%20right%20to%20vote%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/disability-vote-europe-for-us-magazine%29%0A%0A*By%20**Ebba%20Olsson%2C**%20who%20participates%20in%20the%20%5BUlla%20Topi%20traineeship%20in%20inclusive%20policy-making%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/ulla-topi-traineeship-in-inclusive-policy-making%29%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe.*","How the new democracy tool of the Council of Europe can support representation of people with intellectual disabilities.","/recommendations-to-council-of-europe-on-parameters-of-democracy","2025-09-25T09:36:32.000Z","2025-09-25T11:27:35.000Z",{"idx":1774,"title":1775,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1776,"picture":1777,"content_e2r":10,"content":1780,"excerpt":1781,"default_type":29,"url":1782,"created_at":1783,"modified_at":1784,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},182,"Inclusion After Hours","inclusion,Community,Self-empowerment,families,Inclusion Europe,Intersectionality,intellectual disabilities",{"alt":1778,"picture":1779},"You are invited! Inclusion after hours","https://str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c28.jpg","Inclusion%20Europe%20is%20launching%20Inclusion%20After%20Hours%2C%20a%20new%20series%20of%20live%20evening%20events%20for%20everyone%20who%20wants%20to%20be%20part%20of%20a%20welcoming%20and%20open%20community%20focused%20on%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A**When%3F**%20Thursday%2C%209%20October%2C%2017%3A00-19%3A00%0A%0A**Where%3F**%20Inclusion%20Europe%u2019s%20office%2C%20Avenue%20des%20Arts%203-5%2C%201210%20Brussels%0A%0A**Register**%20%5Bhere%5D%28https%3A//forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx%3Fid%3DgQl6t-1XfUaAoOBlamz7XFTSEvjrhiBEqyu8fckwNyNUOFVBRDNUNjdBNERMNEQwNTJLWFg2VEo0Ny4u%26origin%3DInvitation%26channel%3D0%29%20to%20be%20part%20of%20the%20first%20Inclusion%20After%20Hours%21%0A%0AWhether%20you%20are%20a%20person%20with%20an%20intellectual%20disability%2C%20a%20sibling%20or%20parent%20of%20a%20person%20with%20an%20intellectual%20disability%2C%20part%20of%20the%20disability%20movement%2C%20working%20in%20related%20policy%20areas%2C%20an%20
80academic%20wanting%20to%20link%20research%20with%20real%20experiences%2C%20or%20simply%20interested%20in%20inclusion%20and%20disability%20rights%20-%20you%20are%20warmly%20invited.%0A%0AThere%20will%20be%20pizza%20and%20drinks.%20Children%20are%20welcome.%20The%20atmosphere%20is%20informal%2C%20inclusive%2C%20and%20built%20around%20community.%0AThese%20evenings%20are%20a%20space%20to%20connect%2C%20share%2C%20and%20learn%20together.%20%0A%0A%0AEach%20event%20will%20bring%20people%20together%20to%20exchange%20experiences%2C%20joys%2C%20and%20challenges.%20%0A%0AThe%20series%20is%20open%20to%20co-organisation%20from%20anyone%20in%20the%20community%3A%20if%20you%20have%20a%20topic%20you%20want%20to%20present%2C%20discuss%2C%20or%20share%20%u2013%20this%20is%20your%20space.%0A%0AWe%20are%20excited%20to%20launch%20this%20series%20and%20to%20see%20where%20you%27ll%20take%20it%21%20%0A","We are launching a new series of live evening events for everyone who wants to be part of a welcoming and open community. Join us on Thursday, 9 October, 17:00-19:00. Register now!","/launching-inclusion-after-hours","2025-09-29T15:29:09.000Z","2025-10-07T10:24:11.000Z",{"idx":1786,"title":1787,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1788,"picture":1789,"content_e2r":10,"content":1791,"excerpt":1792,"default_type":29,"url":1793,"created_at":1794,"modified_at":1795,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},183,"Deinstitutionalise to prevent sexual violence against people with intellectual disabilities","Deinstitutionalisation,sexual violence,violence,housing,independent living,inclusion,Helena Lambsdorff",{"alt":132,"picture":1790},"https://str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e78701f.jpg","Women%20and%20girls%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20experience%20violence%20at%20much%20higher%20rates%20than%20almost%20any%20other%20group.%20Especially%20sexual%20violence.%20%0A%0AWhen%20forced%20to%20live%20in%20institutions%2C%20the%20risk%20of%20experiencing%20sexual%20violence%20is%20even%20higher.%20This%20is%20because%20the%20residents%27%20right%20to%20decide%20is%20taken%20away%20and%20they%20are%20made%20dependent%20on%20caregivers.%20Institutionalisation%20increases%20vulnerability%2C%20and%20decreases%20the%20%28already%20extremely%20slim%20chances%29%20to%20report%20and%20stop%20sexual%20violence%20from%20happening.%20%0A%0ASelf-advocate%20Elisabeta%20Moldovan%20spoke%20about%20her%20experience%20living%20in%20an%20institution%20in%20Romania%20and%20said%3A%20%22Sexual%20violence%20took%20place%20frequently.%20There%20were%20staff%20members%3A%20guards%2C%20teachers%2C%20doctors%20who%20sexually%20abused%20residents.%20But%20it%20also%20happened%20between%20residents.%20When%20a%20woman%20got%20pregnant%2C%20and%20delivered%20a%20baby%2C%20the%20baby%20was%20taken%20away%20from%20the%20mother%20and%20brought%20to%20an%20orphanage.%22%20%0A%0AFrom%20%3A%0A-%20the%20sexual%20violence%20itself%2C%0A-%20to%20the%20abuse%20of%20power%20when%20a%20person%u2019s%20right%20to%20decide%20is%20taken%20away%2C%20%0A-%20to%20the%20lack%20of%20accountability%20and%20consequences%20for%20the%20perpetrators%2C%0A-%20to%20the%20many%20ways%20sexual%20violence%20occurs%2C%0A-%20to%20a%20mother%u2019s%20child%20being%20taken%20from%20her%2C%0A-%20to%20that%20same%20child%20being%20institutionalised%2C%20exposed%20to%20the%20same%20risks%2C%20the%20same%20vicious%20cycle...%0A%0AThere%20is%20so%20much%20abuse%2C%20so%20much%20trauma%2C%20so%20much%20pain%20to%20fathom%2C%20when%20reading%20%28and%20writing%29%20this.%20%0A%0AThere%20are%20many%20steps%20to%20be%20taken%20to%20reduce%20the%20risk%20of%20sexual%20violence%20for%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0AThe%20first%20one%20is%20closing%20institutions.%0A%0AInstitutions%20are%20hubs%20of%20violence%2C%20of%20abuse%2C%20and%20of%20silencing%20voices.%20They%20are%20inexcusable%20remains%20of%20a%20cruel%20and%20inhumane%20past.%20But%20in%20fact%2C%20they%20are%20the%20cruel%20and%20inhumane%20present%20reality%20for%20over%20800%20000%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Europe.%20%0A%0AThey%20must%20go.%20%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%27s%20%27Life%20after%20violence%27%20report%20talks%20about%20the%20violence%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20when%20forced%20to%20live%20in%20institutions%20specifically.%20I%20also%20wrote%20about%20it%20in%20Inclusion%20Europe%27s%20new%20report%20on%20Gender%20%28in%29equality%20of%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Europe.%20I%20wholeheartedly%20recommend%20everyone%20to%20read%20these%20reports.%0A%0A%0A%5BLife%20after%20violence%5
80D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/LAV-Publication_web.pdf%29%0A%0A%5BGender%20%28in%29equality%20of%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Europe%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c0a.pdf%29%0A%0A%5BHousing%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%3A%20Issues%2C%20ideas%2C%20practices%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-issues-ideas-practices%29%0A%0A*Read%20more%20from%20%5BHelena%20Lambsdorff.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Helena%2520Lambsdorff%29*","There are many steps to be taken to reduce the risk of sexual violence for women and girls with intellectual disabilities. The first one is closing institutions.","/sexual-violence-against-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-in-europe-and-how-to-prevent-it---deinstitutionalisation","2025-09-30T14:47:08.000Z","2025-12-18T12:04:57.000Z",{"idx":1797,"title":1798,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1799,"picture":1800,"content_e2r":10,"content":1803,"excerpt":1804,"default_type":29,"url":1805,"created_at":1806,"modified_at":1807,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},184,"Inclusion Europe at the World Congress \"We Are Inclusion\"","Inclusion Europe,Inclusion International,World Congress,Milan Å veÅepa,Sandra Marques,Inge Volleberg,Soufiane El Amrani,László Bercse,Guillaume Jacquinot,Jyrki Pinomaa",{"alt":1801,"picture":1802},"\"We Are Inclusion\" billboard in Arabic","https://str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c36.png","%u201CWe%20Are%20Inclusion%u201D%20is%20the%20name%20of%20Inclusion%20International%u2019s%20World%20Congress.%20The%20World%20Congress%20is%20a%20conference%20that%20brings%20together%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20our%20families%2C%20our%20organisations%2C%20and%20the%20people%20who%20support%20us.%0A%0AInclusion%20International%27s%2018th%20World%20Congress%20took%20place%20in%20Sharjah%2C%20United%20Arab%20Emirates%2C%20from%2015%20to%2017%20September%202025.%20%0A%0AThere%20were%20also%20a%20Self-Advocacy%20Summit%20and%20Families%20Summit%20on%2014%20September.%20Several%20hundred%20participants%20took%20part%20in%20the%20Congress.%0A%0A%23%23%20Inclusion%20Europe%20at%20the%20World%20Congress%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20represents%20Region%20Europe%20in%20%5BInclusion%20International.%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/%29%20%0A%0AJyrki%20Pinomaa%20and%20Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%20are%20members%20of%20Council%20of%20Inclusion%20International.%0A%0A%21%5BParticipants%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe%20session%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c35.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20organised%20several%20sessions%20at%20the%20World%20Congress%3A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Using%20data%20for%20advocacy.%20%0A%0A**Inge%20Volleberg**%20and%20**Soufiane%20El%20Amrani**%20presented%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20and%20talked%20about%20how%20we%20use%20the%20data%20to%20advocate%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion.%2020%20participants%20attended%20the%20session.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Doing%20deinstitutionalisation.%20%0A%0A**Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa**%20talked%20about%20how%20the%20Inclusion%20movement%20could%20change%20%5Bthe%20way%20we%20promote%20transition%20from%20institutional%20to%20community-based%20care.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/stronger-together-for-full-rights-and-inclusion-in-europe-and-everywhere-in-the-world%29%2058%20participants%20attended%20the%20session.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Find%20Your%20Voice%3A%20Speak%20Up%20and%20Be%20Heard%21%20%0A%0A**Sandra%20Marques**%20and%20**L%E1szl%F3%20Bercse**%20guided%20participants%20through%20a%20mix%20of%20activities%2C%20discussions%2C%20and%20reflections%20on%20what%20it%20means%20to%20speak%20up%20for%20yourself.%20Participants%20sh
80ared%20experiences%2C%20explored%20real-life%20situations%20through%20role-play%20and%20group%20exercises%2C%20and%20developed%20their%20own%20self-advocacy%20plans.%20%0A%0AParticipants%20exchanged%20ideas%20on%20how%20families%20and%20professionals%20can%20provide%20support%20while%20still%20respecting%20each%20person%u2019s%20voice%20and%20choice.%0A%0A*See%20also%3A%20%5BHear%20Our%20Voices%21%202025%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/self-advocacy-events-hear-our-voices%21-events-2025%29%20self-advocacy%20conference*%0A%0A%23%23%23%20JUDY%20Project%20%0A%0A**Sandra%20Marques**%20and%20**L%E1szl%F3%20Bercse**%20shared%20the%20results%20from%20the%20%5BJUDY%20project%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/judy-project%29%20that%20helped%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20to%20build%20confidence%2C%20leadership%2C%20and%20self-advocacy%20skills.%20The%20project%20trained%20over%2065%20self-advocates%20and%20reached%20more%20than%20800%20participants%20across%20Central%20and%20Eastern%20Europe%2C%20showing%20how%20inclusive%20training%20can%20support%20people%20to%20move%20from%20institutions%20to%20community%20life.%20%0A%0AParticipants%20heard%20stories%20about%20self-advocates%20who%20became%20leaders%2C%20trained%20others%2C%20and%20spoke%20directly%20with%20decision-makers%20to%20promote%20real%20change.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Regional%20session%20%u2013%20Europe%20%0A%0AMeeting%20of%20European%20organisations.%20**Guillaume%20Jacquinot**%20led%20a%20discussion%20about%20situation%20in%20European%20countries%20and%20what%20we%20can%20do%20about%20it%20together.%20%0A%0A*%20Inge%20Volleberg%20gave%20a%20brief%20update%20about%20Inclusion%20Indicators%202025.%0A*%20Freddy%20Jussien%20talked%20about%20%5BEU%20budget%20advocacy.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29%0A*%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%20mentioned%20a%20new%20%5Breport%20on%20gender%20equality%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/gender-%28in%29equality-of-women-and-girls-with-intellectual-disabilities-in-europe%29%20and%20invited%20everyone%20to%20%5BEurope%20in%20Action%5D%28/europe-in-action-2026%29%20conference%2C%20which%20takes%20place%2025%20%u2013%2027%20May%202026%20in%20Italy.%0A%0AThere%20were%20organisations%20from%20Armenia%2C%20Bulgaria%2C%20Denmark%2C%20Finland%2C%20Germany%2C%20Ireland%2C%20Norway%2C%20Spain%2C%20Sweden%2C%20and%20the%20UK%20present%20at%20the%20session.%0A%0A%21%5BParticipants%20at%20the%20European%20session%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c34.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Report%20about%20the%20conference%0A%0ADuring%20the%20World%20Congress%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%20had%20many%20meetings%20and%20conversations%20with%20people%20from%20organisations%20in%20Europe%20and%20around%20the%20world%2C%20too.%0A%0AIt%20was%20great%20to%20meet%20so%20many%20people%20from%20around%20the%20world%20and%20learn%20all%20about%20their%20work.%0A%0A%0A**Read%20our%20report%3A**%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20at%20the%20World%20Congress%202025%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c31.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29","Report from our sessions and discussions at the World Congress organised by Inclusion International.","/inclusion-europe-at-the-world-congress-2025","2025-10-07T16:11:02.000Z","2025-12-18T12:05:16.000Z",{"idx":1809,"title":1810,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1811,"picture":1812,"content_e2r":10,"content":1814,"excerpt":1815,"default_type":29,"url":1816,"created_at":1817,"modified_at":1818,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},186,"Analysis of social inclusion investment in proposed EU budget","EU budget",{"alt":132,"picture":1813},"https://str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e710.jpg","%22Under%20the%20new%20National%20and%20Regional%20Partnership%20Plans%20%28NRPPs%29%2C%20funding%20for%20social%20rights%20could%20become%20weaker%2C%20more%20fragmented%2C%20and%20less%20accountable%20to%20local%20needs.%20To%20meet%20the%20EU%u2019s%20poverty%20reduction%20targets%2C%20we%20need%20stronger%20commitments%2C%20not%20diluted%20safeguards.%22%0A%0AThat%27s%20the%20conclusion%20of%20a%20new%20analysis%20of%20proposed%20EU%20budget%20and%20its%20investments%20into%20social%20inclusion.%20The%20document%20is%20a%20joint%20statement%2C%20signed%20by%20over%2050%20civil%20society%20organisations%2C%20including%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20%5BRead%20it%20here%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c42.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29.%0A%0AThe%20assessment%20highlights%20serious%20concerns%20about%20the%20ability%20of%20the%20proposed%20EU%20budget%20to%20deliver%20on%20its%20social%20ambitions%20and%20the%20achievement%20of%20the%20European%20Pillar%20of%20Social%20Rights%3A%0A%0A*%20**The%20loss%20of%20a%20dedicated%20ESF+%20budget%20line%2C**%20replaced%20by%20a%2014%25%20%u201Csocial%20spending%u201D%20target%20spread%20across%20multiple%20funds%2C%20which%20would%20mean%20less%20guaranteed%20funding%20spread%20across%20more%20investment%20areas%3B%0A*%20A%20shift%20toward%20centralised%20national%20planning%2C%20weakening%20regional%20participation%20and%20civil%20society%20involvement%3B%0A*%20**The%20elimination%20of%20minimum%20earmarks%20for%20social%20inclusion%2C%20c
80hild%20poverty%2C%20and%20material%20deprivation%3B**%20which%20means%20no%20more%20guarantees%20for%20investment%20into%20initiatives%20for%20excluded%20or%20disadvantaged%20groups%3B%0A*%20**The%20removal%20of%20enabling%20conditions%2C**%20which%20previously%20ensured%20that%20Member%20States%20had%20effective%20strategies%20and%20safeguards%20in%20place%20before%20EU%20money%20was%20spent%2C%20now%20leaving%20investments%20less%20accountable%20and%20potentially%20less%20effective.%0A%0AThe%20organisations%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%20among%20them%2C%20call%20for%20stronger%20safeguards%2C%20dedicated%20social%20funding%2C%20and%20empowered%20local%20actors%20to%20ensure%20the%20EU%u2019s%20social%20ambitions%20become%20real%20impact.%0A%0A%0A%0A**Read%20also%3A**%20%5BEU%20money%20for%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29%0A%0A","The devilâs in the details.","/analysis-of-social-inclusion-investment-in-proposed-eu-budget","2025-10-08T18:11:38.000Z","2025-12-22T15:35:11.000Z",{"idx":1820,"title":1821,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1822,"picture":1823,"content_e2r":10,"content":1826,"excerpt":1827,"default_type":29,"url":1828,"created_at":1829,"modified_at":1830,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},187,"Lack of staff, misuse of restrictions and technology - Report on residential services in Sweden","Sweden, FUB,housing,support services,independent living",{"alt":1824,"picture":1825},"Flag of Sweden","https://str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c41.png","%22Key%20problems%20include%3A%0A%0A*%20staff%20shortages%2C%0A*%20lack%20of%20competence%20among%20staff%2C%0A*%20insufficient%20support%20for%20meaningful%20activities%2C%0A*%20health%20risks%2C%0A*%20misuse%20of%20restrictions%20and%20technology%2C%0A*%20and%20insecure%20decision-making%20practices.%22%0A%0AFUB%2C%20our%20member%20from%20Sweden%2C%20%5Bpublished%20a%20report%5D%28https%3A//www.fub.se/nyheter/ny-rapport-om-lss-bostad/%29%20about%20residential%20services%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20The%20report%20is%20%20based%20on%20survey%20of%20family%20members%20and%20legal%20guardians%20of%20adults%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20living%20in%20Swedish%20LSS%20housing%20%28group%20housing%20and%20service%20housing%29.%20FUB%20will%20conduct%20a%20survey%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20as%20well.%20%0A%0A**FUB%20calls%20for%20stronger%20national%20regulations%2C%20better%20staffing%2C%20and%20reinforced%20legal%20rights.**%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20LSS%20housing%0A%0AA%20housing%20with%20special%20services%2C%20often%20called%20LSS%20housing%2C%20is%20a%20type%20of%20housing%20that%20is%20adapted%20for%20people%20with%20physical%20or%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20Housing%20with%20special%20services%20is%20managed%20by%20the%20social%20services%20in%20Sweden%27s%20municipalities%20in%20accordance%20with%20the%20provisions%20of%20the%20Act%20on%20Support%20and%20Service%20for%20Certain%20Disabled%20People%20%28LSS%29.%20%0A%0ALSS%20housing%20can%20be%20designed%20as%3A%0A%0A*%20Group%20housing%0A*%20Serviced%20housing%0A*%20Other%20specially%20adapted%20housing%0A%0AThe%20term%20housing%20with%20special%20services%20is%20also%20used%20for%20another%20type%20of%20housing%20regulated%20by%20LSS%2C%20namely%20housing%20in%20a%20family%20home%20or%20housing%20with%20special%20services%20for%20children%20or%20young%20people%20who%20need%20to%20live%20outside%20the%20parental%20home.%20%28Source%3A%20%5BWikipedia%5D%28https%3A//sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bostad_med_s%25C3%25A4rskild_service%29%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Report%20about%20LSS%20housing%0A%0AMain%20findings%20of%20the%20FUB%20report%3A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Staffing%20and%20competence%0A%0AOften%20insufficient%20staffing.%20Many%20residents%20do%20not%20receive%20enough%20support%20with%20daily%20needs%20such%20as%20hygiene%2C%20meals%2C%20and%20cleaning.%0A%0AHigh%20turnover%20of%20staff%20and%20managers.%20One%20example%3A%2054%20different%20staff%20members%20in%20three%20years.%0A%0AReliance%20on%20temporary%20and%20unqualified%20staff%20creates%20instability%20and%20poor%20quality.%20Lack%20of%20relevant%20training%20and%20education.%0A%0AFamily%20members%20often%20have%20to%20step%20in%2C%20taking%20on%20unintended%20support%20roles.%20Worries%20about%20what%20will%20happen%20when%20they%20are%20no%20longer%20there.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Independent%20living%0A%0AOver%2040%25%20of%20residents%20lack%20support%20for%20individual%20activities%2C%20which%20is%20a%20core%20part%20of%20LSS%20housing.%20Staff%20often%20lack%20time%2C%20interest%20or%20knowledge.%0A%0ATypical%20group%20homes%20host%203-6%20residents%2C%20but%20about%2012%25%20live%20in%20larger%20units%20%287%20or%20more%29.%20Larger%20housing%20units%20often%20have%20less%20access%20to%20meaningful%20activities%20and%20shared%20community%20spaces.%0A%0ALarger%2C%20clustered%20housing%20units%20resemble%20institutions%20rather%20than%20community%20living.%0A%0AMunicipalities%20frequently%20deny%20the%20LSS%20assistance%20services%20contact%20person%20
80and%20companion%20service%2C%20arguing%20that%20residents%20should%20rely%20on%20the%20housing%20staff%20for%20community%20participation.%20In%20practice%2C%20staffing%20levels%20are%20too%20low%20for%20this%20support.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Health%20and%20well-being%0A%0AResidents%20often%20have%20poor%20diet%2C%20low%20physical%20activity%2C%20and%20inadequate%20health%20support.%20There%20are%20higher%20risks%20of%20lifestyle-related%20illness.%20Families%20report%20neglect.%0A%0ADental%20health%20among%20LSS%20residents%20is%20significantly%20worse%20than%20in%20the%20general%20population.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Self-determination%2C%20Restrictions%2C%20and%20Technology%0A%0AUse%20of%20coercive%20and%20restrictive%20measures%2C%20despite%20the%20LSS%20Act%20not%20permitting%20such%20practices.%20For%20example%2C%20locking%20people%20in%20their%20apartments.%0A%0ASurveillance%20technology%2C%20like%20cameras%2C%20is%20sometimes%20used%20without%20informed%20consent%20from%20residents.%20Risk%20of%20increased%20camera%20usage%20leading%20to%20staffing%20cuts.%0A%0AThe%20principle%20of%20self-determination%20is%20inconsistently%20understood%20and%20applied%20in%20practice.%20Either%20ignored%20or%20misused%20to%20justify%20lack%20of%20support.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Decision-making%20and%20Legal%20Security%0A%0AMany%20municipalities%20issue%20time-limited%20approvals%20for%20housing%2C%20causing%20insecurity%20for%20young%20people%20trying%20to%20move%20away%20from%20home.%0A%0AFamilies%20report%20bureaucratic%20obstacles%2C%20inconsistent%20municipal%20guidelines%2C%20and%20limited%20legal%20support%20when%20challenging%20decisions.%0A%0A%23%23%20FUB%u2019s%20main%20proposals%0A%0AImprove%20staffing%3A%20require%20sufficient%20and%20qualified%20staff%2C%20and%20ensure%20managers%20are%20present%20and%20responsible
80%20for%20fewer%20units.%0A%0AStrengthen%20regulations%3A%20replace%20non-binding%20recommendations%20with%20binding%20rules%20on%20staffing%2C%20group%20size%2C%20and%20housing%20design.%0A%0APromote%20self-determination%3A%20develop%20national%20guidance%20on%20supporting%20residents%u2019%20decision-making%2C%20while%20preventing%20misuse%20of%20surveillance%20and%20coercive%20measures.%0A%0AEnsure%20legal%20rights%3A%20introduce%20legal%20aid%20for%20individuals%20seeking%20to%20appeal%20LSS%20decisions.%0A%0AUphold%20international%20standards%3A%20make%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28CRPD%29%20legally%20binding%20in%20Sweden.%0A%0A%5BRead%20the%20full%20report%20in%20Swedish%5D%28https%3A//www.fub.se/nyheter/ny-rapport-om-lss-bostad/%29%20%0A%0ARead%20also%3A%0A%0A*%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators/se/2024%29%20for%20Sweden%0A*%20%5BHousing%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%3A%20Issues%2C%20ideas%2C%20practices%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-issues-ideas-practices%29%0A*%20%5BEU%20money%20for%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29%0A*%20%5BLiving%20independently%20and%20being%20included%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29","\"LSS housing often fails to deliver the rights guaranteed by law,\" FUB says.","/report-on-residential-services-in-sweden","2025-10-09T10:44:51.000Z","2025-10-09T10:45:06.000Z",{"idx":1832,"title":1833,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1834,"picture":1835,"content_e2r":10,"content":1838,"excerpt":1839,"default_type":29,"url":1840,"created_at":1841,"modified_at":1842,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},188,"EU countries say EU countries need to do more on the right to live independently","Council of the EU,deinstitutionalisation,independent living",{"alt":1836,"picture":1837},"Council of the European Union","https://str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c44.png","The%20Council%20of%20the%20European%20Union%20is%20where%20national%20governments%20meet%20to%20discuss%20and%20make%20decisions.%20%0A%0AOn%2017%20October%202025%2C%20the%20social%20ministers%20of%20national%20governments%20agreed%20on%20a%20document%20about%20independent%20living%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20This%20document%20is%20callled%20%5Bconclusions%20on%20social%20inclusion%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%5D%28https%3A//www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/epsco/2025/10/17/%29%20through%20the%20promotion%20of%20independent%20living.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20the%20problem%20is%0A%0AThe%20Council%20of%20the%20European%20Union%20recognises%20institutionalisation%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20as%20
80an%20important%20problem%3A%0A%0A%22It%20is%20estimated%20that%20more%20than%20one%20million%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20aged%20under%2065%2C%20and%20more%20than%20two%20million%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20over%2065%2C%20lived%20in%20institutions%20in%20the%20EU%20according%20to%202020%20research.%0A%0A%22Member%20States%20are%20at%20different%20stages%20in%20developing%20conditions%20for%20independent%20living.%20%0A%0A%22Many%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20still%20face%20barriers%20to%20fully%20exercising%20their%20right%20to%20choose%20and%20have%20control%20over%20decisions%20%0Aconcerning%20their%20lives%2C%20including%20where%2C%20how%20and%20with%20whom%20they%20live.%20%0A%0A%22There%20is%20therefore%20a%20need%20for%20further%20efforts%20at%20both%20the%20EU%20and%20national%20level%2C%20to%20ensure%20the%20full%20enjoyment%20by%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20of%20their%20right%20to%20live%20in%20the%20community%20on%20an%20equal%20basis%20with%20others.%22%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20should%20be%20done%0A%0AThe%20Council%20of%20the%20European%20Union%20says%20EU%20countries%20should%3A%0A%0A*%20**Develop%20or%20improve%20measures%20for%20the%20promotion%20of%20independent%20living**%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%0A%20%20%0A*%20Support%20interventions%20to%20**enable%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20to%20%5Blive%20independently%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29%20in%20the%20community%2C**%20including%20by%20ensuring%20the%20availability%20of%20**accessible%2C%20affordable%20and%20non%02segregated%20places%20of%20residence%20and%20the%20support**%20necessary%20to%20allow%20for%20independent%20living%2C%20while%20respecting%20individual%20choices%20and%20taking%20into%20account%20individual%20circumstances%20and%20needs.%0A%0A*%20Enhance%20consultation%20with%20and%20promote%20the%20**active%20involvement**%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20at%20all%20levels%20in%20the%20development%2C%20implementation%20and%20monitoring%20of%20actions%20and%20policies%20that%20concern%20them%2C%20including%20through%20their%20representative%20organisations.%0A%0A*%20Promote%20access%20to%20and%20affordability%20of%20**person-centred%20support%20services%2C**%20such%20as%20personal%20assistance%2C%20assistive%20technology%2C%20%5Baccessible%20information%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-standards-how-to-use-easy-to-read%29%20and%20communication%20technologies%20and%20services%2C%20%5Bsupported%20decision%20making%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%20and%20organised%20support%20systems%20%28e.g.%20peer%20support%2C%20centres%20for%20independent%20living%20and%20supported%20living%20arrangements%29.%0A%0A*%20Ensure%20that%20**services%20available%20to%20the%20general%20population%20are%20also%20available%2C%20accessible%2C%20affordable%2C%20inclusive%20and%20adaptable**%20for%20persons%20with%20disabilities.%0A%0A*%20Provide%20training%20for%20service%20providers%20to%20facilitate%20person-centred%20support%20and%20service%20provision%20in%20the%20community%2C%20with%20the%20aim%20of%20supporting%20independent%20living%20in%20accordance%20with%20the%20UNCRPD.%0A%0A*%20**Inform%20persons%20with%20disabilities%2C%20including%20current%20residents%20of%20institutions%20and%20their%20families%2C%20of%20their%20rights%2C%20entitlements%20and%20options**%20as%20regards%20places%20of%20residence%20and%20offer%20the%20necessary%20support%20and%20guidance%20in%20the%20decision-making%20process%2C%20including%20through%20individual%20plans%20and%20case%20management.%0A%0A*%20Increase%2C%20where%20necessary%2C%20the%20availability%20of%20**affordable%2C%20accessible%2C%20inclusive%2C%20non-segregated%20and%20safe%20%5Bplaces%20of%20residence%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-issues-ideas-practices%29**%20in%20communities%20so%20as%20to%20prevent%20homelessness%20and%20housing%20deprivation%20and%20facilitate%20independent%20living.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Reactions%0A%0A%22I%20just%20hope%20the%20good%20words%20in%20the%20Council%20document%20don%u2019t%20stay%20just%20that%20-%20words%2C%22%20says%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%2C%20Chief%20Executive%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20%22They%20must%20become%20real%20work%2C%20so%20that%20all%20people%20can%20have%20a%20good%20life%20included%20in%20the%20community.%0A%0A%22I%u2019m%20reading%20the%20document%20on%20my%20way%20back%20from%20Timisoara%2C%20Romania%2C%20where%20we%20spend%203%20days%20together%20with%20people%20who%20lived%20in%20institutions%20and%20those%20supporting%20them%20to%20have%20a%20good%20life%20included%20in%20the%20community.%0A%0A%22They%20speak%20of%20their%20%5Bexperiences%20of%20abuse%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/sexual-violence-against-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-in-europe-and-how-to-prevent-it---deinstitutionalisation%29%20and%20violence.%20They%20talk%20about%20their%20friends%20that%20are%20still%20in%20institutions.%20%2816%2C000%20people%20in%20Romania%2C%20%5B800.000%20in%20Europe.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%29%0A%0A%22They%20also%20talk%20about%20their%20doubts%20whether%20the%20governments%20and%20service%20prov
80iders%20actually%20want%20to%20make%20these%20changes%2C%20to%20implement%20the%20kind%20of%20policies%20described%20in%20the%20Council%20conclusions.%0A%0AAnd%20some%20of%20the%20language%20of%20the%20document%2C%20the%20way%20it%20refuses%20to%20commit%20to%20specific%20actions%2C%20doesn%27t%20encourage%20optimism.%22%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20European%20Disability%20Forum%20isn%27t%20impressed%20either%0A%0A%5BEDF%20said%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/eu-council-conclusions-on-independent-living-good-diagnostics-but-no-solutions/%29%20in%20their%20reaction%3A%0A%0A*%20The%20Conclusions%20present%20a%20clear%20view%20of%20the%20issues%20with%20independent%20living%2C%20but%20they%20do%20not%20provide%20many%20solutions.%0A%20%20%0A*%20EU%20countries%20recognise%20the%20importance%20of%20personal%20assistance%2C%20supported%20decision-making%2C%20the%20need%20to%20support%20carers%20and%20the%20increased%20risks%20of%20violence%20and%20abuse%20for%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20disabilities.%0A%0A*%20They%20refuse%20to%20mention%20that%20many%20countries%20have%20more%20people%20institutionalised%20now%20than%20a%20decade%20ago.%20They%20also%20ignored%20proposals%20to%20earmark%20EU%20funds%2C%20and%20to%20%5Bmake%20use%20of%20EU%20funds%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29%20conditional%20to%20support%20of%20best%20practices.%0A%0A%22While%20the%20Council%20Conclusions%20do%20accurately%20reflect%20many%20of%20the%20things%20the%20disability%20movement%20is%20calling%20for%2C%20the%20**Member%20States%20have%20clearly%20tried%20to%20let%20themselves%20off%20the%20hook%3A**%20both%20in%20terms%20of%20admitting%20their%20own%20shortcomings%2C%20and%20in%20terms%20of%20committing%20to%20concrete%20actions%20that%20would%20pave%20the%20way%20for%20improvements.%22%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20EU%20and%20deinstitutionalisation%0A%0ALearn%20more%20about%20the%20European%20Union%20and%20about%20deinstitutionalisation%20in%20our%20video%3A%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/JI5wzJICbmA%3Fsi%3D2QH65m4qa4OcfS8Y%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A","That is correct. But will actions follow? (Don't hold your breath.)","/eu-countries-say-eu-countries-need-to-do-more-on-the-right-to-live-independently","2025-10-20T15:40:52.000Z","2025-12-18T12:04:36.000Z",{"idx":1844,"title":1845,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1846,"picture":1847,"content_e2r":10,"content":1849,"excerpt":1850,"default_type":29,"url":1851,"created_at":1852,"modified_at":1853,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},189,"Updates for EU Disability Rights Strategy","disability strategy ,European Union, disability rights ,European Parliament,European Commission",{"alt":132,"picture":1848},"https://str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e706.jpg","The%20European%20Commission%20confirms%20there%20will%20be%20new%20actions%20for%20the%20European%20Disability%20Rights%20Strategy%202021-2030.%0A%0AIn%20its%20%5B2026%20workplan%2C%5D%28https%3A//commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/strategy-documents/commission-work-programme/commission-work-programme-2026_en%29%20the%20European%20Commission%20says%3A%0A%0A*%20The%20new%20Gender%20equality%20strategy%20and%20updated%20strategy%20for%20the%20rights%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20will%20reinforce%20equality%2C%20inclusion%20and%20participation%20in%20all%20areas%20of%20society.%0A%0AThe%20plan%20lists%20this%20action%20for%20secong%20quarter%20of%202026%3A%0A%0A*%20**Enhancing%20the%20strategy%20for%20the%20rights%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20up%20to%202030.**%0A%0AAlso%20in%20the%20Commmission%27s%20workplan%3A%0A%0A*%20**Quality%20Jobs%20Act%2C**%20new%20law%2C%20fourth%20quarter%202026.%0A%0A*%20**Anti-poverty%20strategy%2C**%20second%20quarter%202026.%0A%20%20%0A*%20**Strengthening%20of%20the%20Child%20Guarantee%2C**%20second%20quarter%202026.%0A%0A*%20**Gender%20equality%20strategy%2C**%20third%20quarter%202026.%0A%0A*%20**Anti-discrimination%20directive%20proposal**.%20%5BProposal%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/good-news-on-equal-treatment-directive-commission-reverses-decision-to-withdraw/%29%20for%20a%20COUNCIL%20DIRECTIVE%20on%20implementing%20the%20principle%20of%20equal%20treatment%20between%20persons%20irrespective%20of%20religion%20or%20belief%2C%20disability%2C%20age%20or%20sexual%20orientation.%0A%0A%23%23%20EU%20Disability%20Rights%20Strategy%0A%0A%5BThe%20strategy%5D%28https%3A//commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/disability/union-equality-strategy-rights-persons-disabilities-2021-2030_en%29%20is%20for%20the%20years%202021-2030.%0A%0AThe%20objective%20of%20the%20Strategy%20is%20to%20ensur%20that%20all%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20in%20Europe%3A%0A%0A*%20enjoy%20their%20human%20rights%0A*%20have%20equal%20opportunities%2C%20equal%20access%20to%20participate%20in%20society%20and%20economy%0A*%20are%20able%20to%20decide%20where%2C%20how%20
80and%20with%20whom%20they%20live%0A*%20move%20freely%20in%20the%20EU%20regardless%20of%20their%20support%20needs%0A*%20no%20longer%20experience%20discrimination%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/XVeifyK1OFY%3Fsi%3DyAA1rgNnvr85oyCN%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%0A%23%23%20What%20is%20expected%20from%20the%20updates%20next%20year%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20expects%20deinstitutionalisation%20to%20be%20a%20strong%20priority.%0A%0ACommissioner%20Lahbib%20said%20during%20%5Bthis%20debate%5D%28https%3A//www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-10-2025-07-07-ITM-015_EN.html%29%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament.%0A%0A*%20%22We%20are%20now%20reflecting%20on%20the%20flagship%20actions%20to%20take%20forward%20in%20the%20second%20phase%20of%20the%20strategy%20for%20persons%20with%20disabilities.%20Promoting%20independent%20living%20remains%20a%20top%20priority%20for%20me%20personally%20and%20for%20the%20Commission%20as%20a%20whole%2C%22%20said%20Commissioner%20Lahbib.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Inclusion%20Europe%20asks%20that%20the%20updated%20Disability%20Rights%20Strategy%3A%0A%0A*%20Supports%20EU%20member%20states%20in%20the%20transition%20to%20**supported%20decision-making%2C**%20for%20example%2C%20by%20funding%20training%20for%20public%20officials%2C%20families%2C%20support%20service%2C%20banks%2C%20notaries%20on%20how%20to%20support%20the%20right%20to%20decide.%0A*%20Promotes%20%u201Cthe%20action%20of%20deinstitutionalisation%u201D%20-%20connecting%20those%20who%20implement%20**deinstitutionalisation**%20across%20different%20countries%20to%20help%20learn%20from%20their%20experiences%2C%20improve%20the%20practice%2C%20and%20make%20their%20know-how%20available%20to%20more%20countries%20and%20DI%20practitioners.%0A*%20Makes%20sure%20EU%20funding%20is%20used%20to%20build%20**housing**%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20with%20support%20to%20live%20independently%20in%20the%20community%2C%20complementing%20deinstitutionalisation%20strategies.%0A*%20Makes%20sure%20EU%20funding%20is%20used%20to%20support%20inclusive%20**education**%20in%20member%20states%2C%20for%20example%20pupils%u2019%20journey%20to%20inclusive%20education%2C%20training%20of%20teachers%20in%20mainstream%20schools%2C%20or%20adaptations%20of%20schools%20and%20learning%20programmes.%0A*%20**Employment**%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20EU%20institutions%20to%20benefit%20from%20their%20expertise%20on%20policies%20and%20other%20matters%20such%20as%20accessibility.%20For%20this%2C%20the%20EU%20bodies%20and%20agencies%20should%20make%20their%20workplace%20inclusive.%0A*%20Specific%20actions%20backed%20with%20funding%20for%20freedom%20of%20choice%20about%20**reproductive%20health**%20addressing%20all%20the%20following%20causes%3A%20violence%20against%20women%20in%20institutions%3B%20deprivation%20of%20legal%20capacity%20and%20lack%20of%20supported%20decision-making%3B%20lack%20of%20good%20support%20for%20victims%20of%20forced%20sterilisation%3B%20lack%20of%20education%2C%20accessible%20information%20and%20training%20on%20reproductive%20rights%2C%20especially%20for%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20their%20families%20and%20support%20services.%0A*%20Support%20creation%20of%20tools%20for%20**participation**%20of%20self-advocates%20in%20the%20civil%20dialogue%20across%20the%20EU.%20These%20tools%20can%20be%20guidelines%20on%20accessible%20and%20inclusive%20civil%20dialogue.%20%0A%0ARead%20in%20full%3A%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20asks%20for%20the%20next%20phase%20of%20Disability%20Rights%20Strategy%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c46.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0A%0A**The%20European%20Parliament%27s%20Committee%20on%20Employment%20and%20Social%20Affairs**%20approved%20%5Ba%20report%5D%28https%3A//www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20251020IPR31026/a-robust-and-effective-updated-strategy-for-persons-with-disabilities%29%20on%20the%20new%20strategy%20this%20week.%0A%0A*%20The%20report%20pays%20particular%20attention%20to%20the%20situation%20of%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20disabilities.%0A*%20It%20calls%20for%20better%20accessibility%20in%20sports%2C%20transport%2C%20products%20and%20digital%20technologies.%0A*%20The%20need%20to%20strengthen%20existing%20platforms%20and%20legislation%2C%20such%20as%20AccessibleEU%2C%20the%20European%20Accessibility%20Act%20and%20the%20Web%20Accessibility%20Directive.%0A%0A**The%20European%20Disability%20Forum%20%5Bsaid%3A%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/commission-confirms-update-to-disability-rights-strategy-in-2026/%29**%0A%0A*%20We%20welcome%20this%20announcement%2C%20which%20reflects%20our%20long-standing%20demands%20and%2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Disability Rights Strategy will get an update for its second half. What to expect?","/updates-for-eu-disability-rights-strategy","2025-10-23T10:21:15.000Z","2025-12-18T15:56:50.000Z",{"idx":1855,"title":1856,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1857,"picture":1858,"content_e2r":10,"content":1860,"excerpt":1861,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1862,"created_at":1863,"modified_at":1864,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},190,"From Institutions to Inclusion: Lessons from TimiÈoara","Romania, Pentru voi,Ceva de spus,deinstitutionalisation,independent living,TogetherPlus,Milan Å 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Å veÅepa writes about a recent visit to Romania and all the things we learned there.","/from-institutions-to-inclusion-lessons-from-timisoara","2025-10-23T16:19:32.000Z","2025-12-18T12:02:31.000Z",{"idx":1866,"title":1867,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":22,"menu_position":10,"tags":10,"picture":1868,"content_e2r":10,"content":1870,"excerpt":1871,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1872,"created_at":1873,"modified_at":1874,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},191,"Donate",{"alt":142,"picture":1869},"https://str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c50.png","**800%2C000%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20still%20locked%20away%20in%20institutions%20across%20Europe.**%0A%0AYour%20gift%20funds%20the%20advocacy%2C%20research%20and%20support%20that%20get%20us%20closer%20to%20a%20Europe%20where%20no%20one%20is%20segregated%20or%20left%20out.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20your%20gift%20makes%20possible%0A%0A1%20Advocacy%20%26%20participation%0AMaking%20sure%20self-advocates%20and%20family%20members%20can%20speak%20directly%20with%20decision-makers%20%u2014%20at%20EU%20institutions%2C%20conferences%2C%20and%20in%20committees%20where%20policies%20about%20their%20lives%20get%20made.%0A%0A2%20Research%20%26%20policy%20insight%0AEvidence%20on%20institutionalisation%20and%20how%20it%20affects%20people.%0A%0A3%20Tools%20for%20inclusion%0ADeveloping%20and%20promoting%20easy-to-read%20information%2C%20training%20national%20self-advocacy%20organisations%20so%20more%20people%20can%20take%20part%20in%20decisions%20that%20affect%20them.%0A%0A%22Inclusion%20Europe%20works%20to%20keep%20the%20issues%20that%20matter%20most%20%u2014%20moving%20away%20from%20institutional%20care%2C%20ensuring%20people%20can%20make%20their%20own%20decisions%2C%20and%20addressing%20the%20specific%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%u2014%20at%20the%20heart%20of%20discussions%20on%20the%20future%20of%20EU%20disability%20policy.%22%20%u2014%20Independent%20evaluation%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Give%20now%0A%0A%3Cscript%20src%3D%22https%3A//donorbox.org/widget.js%22%20paypalExpress%3D%22false%22%3E%3C/script%3E%20%3Ciframe%20src%3D%22https%3A//donorbox.org/embed/donate-inclusion-europe%3Fdefault_interval%3Dm%26amount%3D30%26hide_donation_meter%3Dtrue%22%20name%3D%22donorbox%22%20allowpaymentrequest%3D%22allowpaymentrequest%22%20seamless%3D%22seamless%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20scrolling%3D%22no%22%20height%3D%22900px%22%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20style%3D%22max-width%3A%20500px%3B%20min-width%3A%20250px%3B%20max-height%3Anone%21important%22%20allow%3D%22payment%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E","Help us end segregation of people with intellectual disabilities and isolation of their families.","/donate","2025-10-23T16:44:48.000Z","2026-08-27T14:53:29.000Z",{"idx":1876,"title":1877,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1878,"picture":1879,"content_e2r":10,"content":1881,"excerpt":1882,"default_type":29,"url":1883,"created_at":1884,"modified_at":1885,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},195,"Together+ project results and lessons","TogetherPlus,deinstitutionalisation",{"alt":132,"picture":1880},"https://str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e713.jpg","%23%23%20What%20we%20aimed%20to%20do%0A%0AThe%20project%20had%20three%20main%20goals%3A%0A%0A*%20To%20develop%20practical%20guidelines%20for%20deinstitutionalisation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A*%20To%20design%20and%20test%20training%20in%20managing%20deinstituionalisation.%0A*%20To%20create%20an%20international%20platform%20for%20sharing%20and%20transferring%20experience%20about%20deinstitutionalisation.%0A%0A%23%23%20What%20we%20achieved%0A%0ATogether+%20created%20a%20platform%20for%20learning%20and%20exchange%20between%20countries.%20Partners%20shared%20examples%2C%20challenges%2C%20and%20tools%20that%20supported%20progress%20towards%20community-based%20living.%0A%0AWe%20produced%20a%20deinstitutionalisation%20guide%20and%20training%20modules%20that%20can%20be%20used%20by%20public%20authorities%2C%20service%20providers%2C%20and%20civil%20society%20organisations.%20These%20materials%20helped%20strengthen%20capacity%20to%20plan%2C%20monitor%2C%20and%20carry%20out%20deinstitutionalisation.%0A%0AThe%20trainings%20were%20done%20in%20%5B4%20countries%3A%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/much-more-needs-to-be-done-to-implement-deinstitutionalisation%29%20Czechia%2C%20Romania%2C%20Lithuania%2C%20and%20Slovakia.%20Participants%20from%20public%20authorities%2C%20service%20prov
80iders%20or%20NGOs%20took%20part%20in%20the%20trainings.%0A%0A%22This%20diversity%20of%20participants%20was%20one%20of%20the%20key%20strenghts%20of%20the%20trainings%2C%22%20found%20a%20supervision%20report.%20%22It%20allowed%20for%20an%20exchange%20of%20experiences%20across%20services%20and%20countries.%20It%20encouraged%20discussion%20across%20the%20different%20DI-actors.%22%0A%0AParticipants%20particularly%20valued%20the%20examples%20included%20in%20the%20DI%20Guide%20as%20well%20as%20those%20brought%20by%20trainers%20based%20on%20their%20experiences%20and%20the%20work%20done%20in%20the%20countries.%0A%0A%23%23%20What%20we%20learned%0A%0AEach%20country%u2019s%20laws%2C%20benefit%20systems%2C%20and%20other%20circumstances%20required%20local%20sadaptation.%20Training%20and%20peer%20learning%20made%20a%20visible%20difference.%20People%20felt%20more%20confident%20in%20the%20change.%20Still%2C%20%5Bthey%20asked%20for%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/from-institutions-to-inclusion-lessons-from-timisoara%29%20more%20practical%20examples%20and%20solutions%20to%20practical%20situation.%0A%0AThe%20%5BTogether+%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/together-plus-project%29%20project%20was%20funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%20The%20projects%20partners%20will%20continue%20to%20advance%20the%20transition%20from%20institutions%20to%20community-based%20care%2C%20using%20the%20partnerships%20and%20tools%20created%20during%20the%20project.","The Together+ Project ran from November 2022 to October 2025. It brought together organisations from five countries to support the transition from institutional to community-based care.","/together-project-results-and-lessons","2025-10-30T15:55:51.000Z","2025-12-22T16:38:20.000Z",{"idx":1887,"title":1888,"author":10,"article_type":321,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1889,"picture":1890,"content_e2r":10,"content":1893,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":1894,"created_at":1895,"modified_at":1896,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},196,"Europe for Us - European funds and deinstitutionalisation ","easy to read,EU funds,deinstitutionalisation,funding,independent living,inclusion",{"alt":1891,"picture":1892},"Europe for Us - European funds and deinstitutionalisation. Elisabeta Moldovan.","https://str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e70c.jpg","Contents%20of%20the%20latest%20issue%3A%0A%0A-%20People%20with%20disabilities%20in%20institutions%0A-%20A%20story%20from%20Romania%20by%20Elisabeta%20Moldovan%0A-%20What%20is%20deinstitutionalisation%0A-%20Examples%20of%20countries%20using%20EU%20funds%20wrongly%0A-%20Role%20of%20the%20European%20Union%20in%20deinstitutionalisation%20and%20independent%20living%0A-%20The%20United%20Nations%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28UN%20CRPD%29%0A-%20The%20European%20Expert%20Group%20on%20the%20transition%20from%20institutional%20to%20community-based%20care%20%28EEG%29%0A%20%20%0ALanguage%20versions%3A%20%5BEnglish%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c60.pdf%29%20-%20%5BNederlands%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c66.pdf%29%20-%20%5BFrancais%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c63.pdf%29-%20%5BDeutsch%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c61.pdf%29%20-%20%5BEspa%F1ol%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c62.pdf%29%20-%20%5BRom%E2n%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c67.pdf%29%20-%20%5BMagyar%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c64.pdf%29%20-%20%5BItaliano%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c65.pdf%29%0A%0ASubscribe%20to%20our%20%5Bmailing%20list%5D%28https%3A//e34b73c4.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFACxokgTbhuJCuLfAc2Ifim0DgELA4WZiFONtpBoE4S0ec508gn0-InlSjqcNtJ60bcnzL6g4NJCdADATuGTFAzAa_NHSaI6NeuYHsvfX66u4tPlKpl64o7Qx41IY1u3RKOuUD1Asg1dmHbNqZQ3GSLReo-j00e9wswdEtqO1GS8H1TTfFyOIsCt4mfbeWdglJD0kVCynxGf9%29%20to%20receive%20Europe%20for%20us%20magazine%20in%20your%20email.%0A%0A%5BPrevious%20issues%20of%20Europe%20for%20Us%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-magazine%29.","/europe-for-us-european-funds-and-deinstitutionalisation","2025-10-30T17:00:45.000Z","2026-02-24T00:21:44.000Z",{"idx":1898,"title":1899,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1900,"picture":1901,"content_e2r":10,"content":1903,"excerpt":1904,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1905,"created_at":1906,"modified_at":1907,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},197,"Family members need support. If they are doing well, it benefits everyone in the family","Inge Volleberg,families,siblings,self-determination,participation,people with complex support needs",{"alt":132,"picture":1902},"https://str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e78701e.jpg","I%20had%20the%20opportunity%20to%20represent%20Inclusion%20Europe%20at%20EASPD%27s%20conference%20about%20support%20for%20families%20and%20about%20self-determination%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20I%20would%20like%20to%20share%20the%20main%20points%20I%20said%3A%20%0A%20%0A%23%23%20Self-determination%0A%0AThe%20main%20policy%20change%20that%20needs%20to%20happen%20now%20is%20%5Bdeinstitutionalisation%2C%5D%28/tag/deinstitutionalisation%29%20especially%20when%20you%20look%20at%20enabling%20self-determination.%20%0A%0ASelf-determination%20is%20about%20having%20your%20own%20opinions%2C%20being%20able%20to%20voice%20those%2C%20and%20then%20%5Bmaking%20your%20own%20decisions.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%20%0A%0AThese%20are%20skills%20that%20people%20lose%20%28or%20never%20learn%29%20in%20institutions%20where%20many%2C%20if%20not%20all%2C%20decisions%20are%20made%20for%20them.%20%0A%0ABeing%20able%20to%20live%20in%20the%20community%20allows%20people%20to%20practice%20these%20skills%2C%20and%20this%20is%20the%20strongest%20tool%20to%20enable%20self-determination.%20%0A%20%0A%23%23%20Families%20need%20more%20support%0A%0AThe%20majority%20%28if%20not%20all%29%20support%20goes%20to%20the%20person%20with%20a%20disability%2C%20which%20seems%20about%20right.%20%0A%0ABut%20parents%20don%27t%20know%20what%20they%20should%20do%3B%20this%20is%20a%20new%20situation%20for%20them%20too%2C%20and%20they%20are%20struggling.%20The%20same%20goes%20for%20%5Bsiblings%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/siblings%29%20who%20often%20grow%20up%20with%20signs%20of%20neglect%20even%20though%20they%20grow%20up%20in%20a%20loving%20home.%20%0A%0AThe%20family%20members%20need%20support%2C%20because%20if%20they%20are%20doing%20well%2C%20this%20benefits%20everyone%20in%20the%20family.%20%0A%0AThis%20also%20gives%20family%20members%20the%20space%20to%20breathe%20to%20then%20be%20more%20active%20in%20policy%20making%2C%20etc.%20%0A%0A%21%5BInge%20on%20stage%20with%20other%20speakers%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c69.png%29%0A%0A%20%0A%23%23%20People%20with%20complex%20support%20needs%0A%0APeople%20with%20complex%20support%20needs%20should%20not%20be%20forgotten%20or%20left%20as%20the%20last%20to%20live%20in%20institutions.%20Everyone%20benefits%20from%20living%20in%20the%20community%2C%20and%20everyone%20has%20the%20chance%20to%20thrive%20when%20given%20the%20chance.%20%0A%0AFor%20people%20with%20complex%20support%20needs%2C%20this%20means%20individualised%20care%2C%20one%20on%20one%2C%20round%20the%20clock%20support%2C%20and%20most%20importantly%2C%20building%20a%20relationship%20with%20the%20people%20supporting%20them.%20%0A%0AThis%20takes%20time%2C%20and%20should%20involve%20%5Bfamily%20members%2C%5D%28/tag/families%29%20as%20they%20often%20know%20their%20loved%20one%20best.%20%0A%20%0A%23%23%20Participation%0A%0ALastly%2C%20we%20spoke%20about%20collaboration%20between%20service%20providers%2C%20families%2C%20and%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20I%20said%20that%20it%20was%20sad%20that%20there%20were%20so%20few%20people%20with%20%28intellectual%29%20disabilities%20at%20the%20conference%2C%20while%20one%20of%20the%20main%20themes%20is%20self-determination.%20%0A%0AI%20spoke%20with%20a%20few%20self-advocates%2C%20and%20they%20shared%20that%20the%20conference%20wasn%27t%20very%20accessible.%20I%20think%20that%20if%20we%20want%20better%20collaboration%2C%20we%20need%20to%20make%20sure%20that%20people%20with%20disabilities%20can%20be%20and%20are%20part%20of%20the%20conversations%2C%20from%20the%20start.%20%0A%0AThis%20means%20accessible%20events%2C%20inviting%20people%20with%20disabilities%2C%20having%20them%20part%20of%20the%20organising%2C%20and%20using%20%5Binclusive%20langauge.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-standards-how-to-use-easy-to-read%29%20%0A","Inge Volleberg writes about a conference she spoke at recently.","/family-members-need-support.-if-they-are-doing-well-it-benefits-everyone-in-the-family","2025-11-03T14:23:59.000Z","2025-12-18T12:03:17.000Z",{"idx":1909,"title":1910,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":233,"menu_position":22,"tags":10,"picture":1911,"content_e2r":10,"content":1912,"excerpt":10,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1913,"created_at":1914,"modified_at":1915,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},199,"People with intellectual disabilities",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"Intellectual%20disability%20means%20that%20learning%20and%20understanding%20information%20can%20take%20more%20time.%20People%20may%20need%20support%20to%20communicate%2C%20make%20decisions%2C%20or%20manage%20daily%20life.%20With%20the%20right%20support%2C%20everyone%20can%20live%20a%20full%20life%20and%20contribute%20to%20society.%0A%0ABut%20many%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20still%20face%20serious%20barriers.%0AToo%20often%2C%20they%20are%20kept%20apart%20from%20the%20society%20%u2014%20in%20institutions%2C%20special%20schools%2C%20or%20workplaces%20that%20exclude%20them%20from%20the%20rest%20of%20society.%0A%0A*%20More%20than%20**800%2C000%20people**%20live%20in%20large%20institutions.%0A*%20**32%2C000**%20live%20in%20psychiatric%20hospitals.%0A*%20People%20with%20complex%20support%20needs%20are%20most%20likely%20to%20be%20institutionalised%20and%20left%20out%20of%20reforms.%0A*%20Many%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20go%20to%20**special%20schools**%2C%20and%20**18%2C000**%20get%20no%20education%20at%20all.%0A*%20Very%20few%20adults%20have%20paid%20jobs.%20In%20some%20countries%2C%20people%20lose%20their%20benefits%20if%20they%20earn%20a%20salary%2C%20or%20they%20are%20paid%20below%20the%20minimum%20wage.%0A*%20In%20several%20countries%2C%20people%20can%20lose%20their%20**legal%20capacity**%20and%20even%20their%20**right%20to%20vote**.%0A*%20In%20others%2C%20**forced%20sterilisation**%20is%20still%20allowed%2C%20and%20women%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20often%20victims%20of%20sexual%20violence.%0A%0AThese%20are%20not%20problems%20caused%20by%20disability%20itself.%20They%20are%20caused%20by%20systems%20that%20deny%20people%20equal%20rights%20and%20chances.%0A%0AInclusion%20means%20changing%20this.%20It%20means%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20living%20in%20their%20own%20homes%2C%20making%20choices%20about%20their%20lives%2C%20and%20taking%20part%20in%20their%20communities%20%u2014%20with%20the%20support%20they%20need.%0A%0APeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20leaders%2C%20employees%2C%20artists%2C%20parents%2C%20and%20friends.%0AThey%20enrich%20our%20societies.%0AWhen%20they%20are%20included%2C%20everyone%20benefits.%0A","/people-with-intellectual-disabilities","2025-11-03T15:24:11.000Z","2025-11-21T18:04:34.000Z",{"idx":1917,"title":1918,"author":10,"article_type":21,"menu_parent":233,"menu_position":232,"tags":10,"picture":1919,"content_e2r":418,"content":1920,"excerpt":132,"default_type":29,"url":1921,"created_at":1922,"modified_at":1923,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},200,"Family members",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"Families%20are%20at%20the%20heart%20of%20inclusion.%0AThey%20support%20their%20sons%2C%20daughters%2C%20brothers%2C%20and%20sisters%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20every%20day.%0AThey%20fight%20for%20their%20rights%2C%20speak%20up%20for%20change%2C%20and%20build%20communities%20of%20care.%0A%0ABut%20families%20often%20face%20isolation%20and%20exhaustion.%0AMany%20do%20not%20get%20the%20support%20they%20need%20%u2014%20from%20schools%2C%20health%20services%2C%20or%20social%20care.%0AParents%20are%20left%20to%20fill%20the%20gaps%2C%20often%20giving%20up%20work%20or%20education.%0ABrothers%20and%20sisters%20may%20take%20on%20caring%20roles%20too%20early.%0AFamilies%20carry%20responsibilities%20that%20should%20be%20shared%20by%20society.%0A%0AThe%20lack%20of%20support%20systems%20and%20inclusive%20services%20means%20that%20family%20life%20can%20be%20limited.%0AIn%20many%20countries%2C%20families%20have%20no%20access%20to%20respite%2C%20personal%20assistance%2C%20or%20flexible%20employment.%0AWhen%20there%20are%20no%20inclusive%20schools%20or%20community%20services%2C%20families%20are%20pushed%20toward%20institutions%20%u2014%20even%20when%20they%20do%20not%20want%20that%20for%20their%20relatives.%0A%0AFamilies%20want%20the%20same%20things%20everyone%20wants%3A%20to%20live%20together%2C%20to%20belong%2C%20and%20to%20see%20their%20relatives%20live%20a%20good%20life.%0AWhen%20inclusion%20works%2C%20families%20are%20stronger.%0AThey%20can%20take%20part%20in%20community%20life%2C%20have%20time%20for%20themselves%2C%20and%20see%20their%20loved%20ones%20thrive.%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20stands%20with%20families.%0AWe%20work%20to%20make%20sure%20that%20support%2C%20respect%2C%20and%20equal%20rights%20are%20a%20reality%20%u2014%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20**and**%20for%20their%20families.%0A","/family-members","2025-11-03T15:25:54.000Z","2025-11-21T12:48:17.000Z",{"idx":1925,"title":1926,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":1927,"picture":1928,"content_e2r":10,"content":1931,"excerpt":10,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":1932,"created_at":1933,"modified_at":1934,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},201,"Being included is also a sense of belonging and having someone you can trust. Plus: Accessible housing, preventing violence, and other notes from a conference in Copenhagen","Denmark,Lev,EU Presidency,independent living,housing,Milan Å veÅepa",{"alt":1929,"picture":1930},"Conference stage with me on screen, captions: Our job at Inclusion Europe is to make Europe finally end segregation of people with intellectual disabilities and isolation of their families","https://str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c6f.jpeg","*Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%20writes%20about%20a%20conference%20on%20independent%20living%2C%20which%20took%20place%20in%20Copehnagen.*%20%0A%0AIt%20started%20well%20enough%2C%20over%20a%20good%20coffee%20and%20in%20great%20company.%0A%0A**Anni%20S%F8rensen**%20and%20**Marie%20Louise%20Johannessen**%20are%20from%20%5BLev%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.lev.dk/%29%20our%20member%20in%20Denmark.%20Anni%20is%20the%20president%2C%20Marie%20Louise%20the%20director.%20I%20leaned%20a%20lot.%0A%0AWe%20spoke%20about%20the%20**lack%20of%20national%20data%2C**%20and%20how%20it%20makes%20it%20hard%20to%20track%20what%20governments%20are%20doing%20and%20if%20things%20are%20getting%20better%20or%20worse.%20This%20applies%20in%20most%20countries%2C%20not%20only%20in%20Denmark.%20It%27s%20one%20of%20the%20reasons%20we%20have%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%0A%0AAnd%20about%20how%20**municipalities%20handle%20most%20responsibilities%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20providing%20support**%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20This%2C%20again%2C%20is%20quite%20similar%20to%20many%20countries%20in%20Europe.%20A%20lot%20of%20EU-level%20work%20is%20focused%20on%20the%20national%20level%2C%20which%20makes%20sense%20to%20some%20extent.%20But%20it%27s%20important%20to%20consider%20the%20role%20regions%20and%20cities%20have%2C%20especially%20in%20topics%20like%20%5Bsupport%20services%20or%20deinstitutionalisation.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29%0A%0AWe%20also%20talked%20about%20**Nordic%20Inclusion**%20%u2013%20a%20network%20of%20Inclusion%20organisations%20%28our%20members%29%20from%20the%20Nordic%20countries%20who%20regularly%20come%20together%20to%20learn%20from%20their%20experiences%20and%20work.%0A%0AWe%20talked%20a%20lot%20about%20working%20together%2C%20learning%20from%20each%20other%2C%20building%20on%20what%20others%20do.%20Adapting%20to%20the%20world.%20What%20gets%20in%20the%20way%20of%20such%20this%3F%20How%20can%20we%20make%20the%20most%20of%20%28inter-%29national%20meetings%20and%20exchanges%3F%20How%20do%20we%20show%20the%20value%20of%20promoting%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20across%20Europe%3F%0A%0AIt%20was%20altogether%20very%20fun%20and%20useful%20meeting.%0A%0A%21%5BAnni%20S%F8rensen%20and%20I%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c6b.jpeg%29%0A%0A%23%23%20Independent%20living%20conference%0A%0AThen%2C%20it%20was%20two%20days%20of%20conference%20on%20%5Bindependent%20living%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29%20organised%20by%20Denmark%20as%20part%20of%20%5Btheir%20Presidency%5D%28https%3A//danish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/news/next-step-toward-independent-living-for-persons-with-disabilities-taken-in-copenhagen/%29%20of%20the%20Council%20of%20the%20European%20Union.%0A%0A%3E%20%u201CMy%20aunt%20lived%20in%20an%20institution.%20Deinstitutionalisation%20gave%20her%20more%20and%20more%20independent%20life.%20Relations%20with%20family%20and%20loved%20ones.%u201D%0A%0AThat%27s%20how%20the%20Danish%20minister%20Sophie%20H%E6storp%20Andersen%20opened%20the%20conference.%20She%20also%20spoke%20about%20the%20importance%20of%20housing%2C%20and%20about%20the%20document%20on%20independent%20living%20%5Brecently%20approved%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-countries-say-eu-countries-need-to-do-more-on-the-right-to-live-independently%29%20by%20EU%20countries%27%20social%20ministers.%0A%0ASpeakers%20that%20followed%3A%0A%0A*%20**Marianne%20Vind%2C%20MEP**%2C%20spoke%20about%20the%20connection%20between%20inclusion%20and%20%5Bgender%20%28in-%29equality%20and%20violence.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/gender-%28in%29equality-of-women-and-girls-with-intellectual-disabilities-in-europe%29%0A*%20**Yannis%20Vardakastanis%2C**%20the%20president%20%5Bof%20EDF%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/danish-eu-presidency-discusses-advances-in-independent-living/%29%20said%3A%20Europe%20faces%20a%20housing%20crisis%20%u2014%20but%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities%2C%20it%20has%20been%20a%20crisis%20for%20decades.%20He%20went%20on%20to%20talk%20about%20the%201.5%20million%20people%20who%20are%20institutionalised%2C%20and%20what%20EU%20must%20do%20for%20independent%20living.%0A*%20**Sirpa%20Rautio%2C**%20the%20director%20of%20the%20Fundamental%20Rights%20Agency%2C%20spoke%20about%20what%20needs%20to%20be%20done%20for%20deinstitutionalisation%2C%20and%20also%20about%20a%20new%20report%20FRA%20will%20publish.%20It%20is%20about%20monitoring%20of%20abuse%20and%20about%20how%20people%20in%20institutions%20can%20complain.%20I%20think%20that%20is%20very%20important%20-%20but%20some%20of%20how%20FRA%20talks%20about%20is%20problematic.%20Saying%20%22we%20must%20ensure%20that%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20living%20in%20institutions%20are%20upheld%22%20makes%20little%20sense%20%28institutionalisation%20itself%20is%20a%20violation%20of%20people%27s%20right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80%29%20%7C%20%5BListen%20on%20Pocket%20Casts%5D%28https%3A//pca.st/0uv5i0vf%29%20%7C%0A%0A%0A%5BMore%20links%20where%20to%20listen.%5D%28https%3A//creators.spotify.com/pod/show/inclusion-europe/episodes/Theresa-Shearer-On-Leadership-e34v9ga/a-ac1cotm%29%0A%0A%0A%0AMore%20from%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20Radio.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/podcast%29","/housing-homelessness-deinstitutionalisation.-freek-spinnewijn-talks-to-inclusion-europe-radio","2025-11-26T16:01:14.000Z","2026-02-04T16:01:55.000Z",{"idx":2105,"title":2106,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2107,"picture":2108,"content_e2r":10,"content":2110,"excerpt":2111,"default_type":29,"url":2112,"created_at":2113,"modified_at":2114,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},223,"Things I would like to tell service providers","Inge Volleberg,siblings,support services",{"alt":132,"picture":2109},"https://str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e78701d.jpg","Picture%20this%3A%20My%20sister%20Esther%20at%20the%20door%2C%20wrapped%20in%20a%20scarf%20and%20gloves%2C%20with%20her%20umbrella%20in%20hand%2C%20and%20her%20hair%20in%20an%20up-do.%20Ready%20to%20go%20out%20to%20dinner%20with%20her%20former%20support%20worker.%0A%0AOnly%20the%20dinner%20was%20cancelled.%20And%20instead%20of%20letting%20Esther%20know%20herself%2C%20the%20former%20support%20worker%20asked%20current%20staff%20to%20tell%20her.%20Which%20the%20colleague%20forgot...%0A%0AThere%20are%20many%20things%20I%20would%20like%20to%20tell%20service%20providers.%20%0A%0AToday%2C%20it%20is%20this%3A%20**Know%20the%20important%20role%20you%20play%20in%20the%20lives%20of%20the%20people%20you%20support.**%0A%0AEsther%20is%20on%20her%204th%20personal%20support%20worker%20since%20moving%20in%202%20years%20ago.%20She%20is%2C%20understandably%2C%20gutted%20every%20time%20a%20support%20worker%20leaves.%20%0A%0AEvery%20time%2C%20she%20has%20to%20connect%20with%20a%20new%20person%20again.%20The%20person%20she%20is%20supposed%20to%20tell%20her%20biggest%20troubles.%20The%20person%20she%20should%20trust%20fully.%20%0A%0AOpening%20herself%20up%20again%20and%20again.%20%0A%0AAnd%20we%20understand%3A%20Lives%20change%2C%20jobs%20change%2C%20things%20change.%20But%20know%20what%20you%20leave%20behind%2C%20who%20you%20leave%20behind.%20%0A%0AEsther%20was%20so%20happy%20that%20this%20former%20support%20worker%20wanted%20to%20grab%20a%20dinner%20with%20her.%20The%20date%20was%20set%20for%20weeks.%0A","Inge Volleberg writes about a recent experience her sister had.","/things-i-would-like-to-tell-service-providers","2025-11-28T18:07:24.000Z","2025-12-18T12:02:36.000Z",{"idx":2116,"title":2117,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2118,"picture":2119,"content_e2r":10,"content":2122,"excerpt":2123,"default_type":29,"url":2124,"created_at":2125,"modified_at":2126,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},224,"Pressure towards re-institutionalisation","Norway,Sweden,Finland,Denmark,Iceland,Ebba Olsson",{"alt":2120,"picture":2121},"Ebba taking notes during the meeting","https://str.inclusion.eu/2d4579f6c84f4d11e28c4f508.jpeg","The%20Nordic%20countries%20are%20often%20seen%20as%20leaders%20in%20%5Bdeinstitutionalisation%20and%20community-based%20living%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0ABut%20yesterday%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%20members%20from%20Denmark%20%uD83C%uDDE9%uD83C%uDDF0%2C%20Finland%20%uD83C%uDDEB%uD83C%uDDEE%2C%20Iceland%20%uD83C%uDDEE%uD83C%uDDF8%2C%20Norway%2C%20%uD83C%uDDF3%uD83C%uDDF4%20and%20Sweden%20%uD83C%uDDF8%uD83C%uDDEA%20shared%20a%20different%20reality%3A%20**Pressure%20towards%20re-institutionalisation.**%20Re-institutionalisation%20means%20putting%20people%20with%20disabilities%20back%20into%20large%20buildings%20with%20many%20people%20in%20them.%0A%20%0AAcross%20the%20countries%2C%20**similar%20challenges%20emerge%3A**%0A%uD83D%uDD38%20%5BStaff%20shortages%20and%20tight%20budgets%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/report-on-residential-services-in-sweden%29%20at%20municipal%20level%0A%uD83D%uDD38%20Political%20priorities%20shifting%20toward%20cost-saving%20rather%20than%20rights%0A%uD83D%uDD38%20Narratives%20that%20institutions%20are%20%u201Cefficient%u201D%2C%20despite%20evidence%20to%20the%20contrary%0A%20%0ABut%20we%20also%20discussed%20**opportunities%20to%20push%20back**%20against%20this%3A%0A%uD83D%uDD39%20Evidence%20from%20reports%20and%20projects%20on%20community-based%20living%0A%uD83D%uDD39%20Engagement%20with%20decision-makers%20on%20CRPD%20commitments%0A%uD83D%uDD39%20Legal%20support%20for%20people%20defending%20their%20rights%0A%0AThank%20you%20to%20all%20our%20Nordic%20%5Bmembers%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/members-and-partners%29%20for%20your%20insights.%20%0A%0AI%20see%20some%20of%20the%20shifts%20personally%20as%20well.%20They%20affect%20my%20brother%20who%20lives%20in%20a%20group%20home%20in%20Sweden.%20%0A%0AWe%20all%20need%20to%20push%20back%20against%20the%20harmful%20narratives%20and%20keep%20advocating%20for%20people%u2019s%20right%20to%20inclusion%20%uD83E%uDD1D%0A%0A***Ebba%20Olsson**%20participates%20in%20the%20%5BUlla%20Topi%20traineeship%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/ulla-topi-traineeship-in-inclusive-policy-making%29%20in%20inclusive%20policy-making%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe.*","Ebba Olsson writes about a meeting with our Nordic members.","/pressure-towards-re-institutionalisation","2025-11-28T18:20:45.000Z","2026-06-26T09:50:41.000Z",{"idx":2128,"title":2129,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2130,"picture":2131,"content_e2r":10,"content":2134,"excerpt":2135,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":2136,"created_at":2137,"modified_at":2138,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},225,"European Parliament's position on the Disability Rights Strategy after 2025","European Parliament,European Commission,disability strategy ,Freddy Jussien",{"alt":2132,"picture":2133},"Blog by Freddy Jussien","https://str.inclusion.eu/2d4579f6c84f4d11e28c4f509.jpg","%u2705%20The%20European%20Parliament%20%5Badopted%5D%28https%3A//www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20251120IPR31504/disability-rights-need-to-be-mainstreamed-across-all-eu-policies-meps-say%29%20its%20position%20on%20the%20Disability%20Rights%20Strategy%20after%202025.%20Rosa%20Estaras%20Ferragut%20MEP%20led%20the%20work%20in%20the%20Parliament.%0A%0AIt%27s%20a%20job%20well%20done.%20There%20is%20a%20lot%20there%20that%20Inclusion%20Europe%20%5Bwants%20to%20see.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/updates-for-eu-disability-rights-strategy%29%0A%0AHere%u2019s%20what%20the%20Parliament%20asks%20the%20European%20Commission%20to%20do%3A%0A%0A%u27A1%uFE0F%20Specific%20actions%20to%20support%20countries%20to%20transition%20from%20substitute%20decision-making%20to%20**supported%20decision-making**%20%28missing%20in%20the%20current%20Strategy%29.%0A%0A%u27A1%uFE0F%20EU%20strategy%20on%20the%20**transition%20from%20institutions%20to%20independent%20living%20and%20community-based%20services**%20with%20data%2C%20monitoring%2C%20and%20mutual%20learning.%20%0A%0A%u27A1%uFE0F%20Keeping%20the%20enabling%20conditions%20for%20**disability%20rights%20in%20%5BEU%20funds%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29**%20and%20%22explore%22%20%28%3F%29%20earmarking%20for%20social%20inclusion.%20Earmarking%20means%20saying%20a%20certain%20part%20of%20the%20money%20must%20go%20to%20this%20purpose.%0A%0A%u27A1%uFE0F%20**Employment**%20and%20Skills%20Guarantee%2C%20meaning%20clear%20objectives%20and%20EU%20Funds%20for%20%5Bemployment%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/examples-and-ideas-for-employment-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities%29%20and%20designed%20to%20support%20the%20transition%20from%20sheltered%20employment%20to%20regular%20employment.%20%0A%0A%u27A1%uFE0F%20**Traineeships%2C%20mentorship%20programmes%20in%20particular%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C**%20who%20barely%20benefit%20from%20these%20programmes%20%28especially%20in%20EU%20institutions%29.%0A%0A%uD83D%uDC49%20%20I%27m%20looking%20forward%20to%20hearing%20the%20Commissioner%20Hadja%20Lahbib%20at%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Day%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/representing-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-during-a-disability-week-in-brussels%29%20conference%20next%20week.%20%0A%0ALet%u2019s%20hope%20we%20get%20confirmation%20of%20these%20proposed%20actions.%0A%0A*Read%20more%20from%20%5BFreddy%20Jussien.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Freddy%2520Jussien%29*","It's a job well done, writes Freddy Jussien.","/european-parliament-position-on-the-disability-rights-strategy-after-2025","2025-11-28T18:33:51.000Z","2025-12-18T11:55:59.000Z",{"idx":2140,"title":2141,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2142,"picture":2143,"content_e2r":10,"content":2145,"excerpt":2146,"default_type":29,"url":2147,"created_at":2148,"modified_at":2149,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},226,"Where self-advocates lead, others feel encouraged to speak honestly as well. ","self-advocacy,Helena Lambsdorff",{"alt":132,"picture":2144},"https://str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e78701c.jpg","%23%23%23%20%uD83E%uDDD0%20What%20is%20self-advocacy%3F%20%0A%0AThe%20term%20comes%20from%20the%20late%201960s%20and%20was%20first%20used%20by%20a%20group%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20that%20met%20to%20discuss%20and%20stand%20up%20for%20their%20right%20to%20equal%20participation%20in%20society.%20%0A%0ASelf-advocacy%20is%20part%20of%20the%20disability%20rights%20movement%20and%20the%20reason%20it%20is%20so%20important%20was%20summarised%20by%20self-advocates%20from%20Lebanon%2C%20Nepal%2C%20Germany%2C%20and%20Belgium%20in%20the%20event%20%u2018How%20self-advocates%20successfully%20influence%20policies%u2019%20%20at%20the%20Global%20Disability%20Summit%202025%20this%20past%20April.%20%0A%0AAs%20Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%20%5Bsaid%3A%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/governments-think-they-know-what-is-best-for-us-but-they-dont%29%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%22Self-advocacy%20means%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20have%20a%20say%20about%20things%20that%20have%20an%20impact%20on%20their%20lives.%u202F%u200BIt%20also%20means%20they%20can%20contribute%20their%20expertise%20and%20expectations.%u201D%0A%0AThat%20session%20was%20the%20only%20one%20at%20the%20GDS%20that%20was%20led%20entirely%20by%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20This%20means%20it%20was%20also%20the%20only%20one%20where%20easy-to-understand%20language%20was%20used%20by%20everyone%20on%20the%20panel%20and%20at%20all%20times.%20%0A%20%0A%23%23%20%uD83E%uDDD0%20What%20was%20the%20result%3F%20%0A%0AIn%20the%20Q%26A%20session%20following%2
800the%20presentations%20of%20the%20panel%20many%20people%20from%20the%20audience%20took%20the%20stage.%20Some%20of%20them%20asked%20the%20self-advocates%20a%20question%2C%20but%20for%20nearly%20all%20of%20them%20it%20was%20clear%20that%20they%20saw%20this%20moment%20as%20their%20opportunity%20to%20talk%20about%20what%20really%20mattered%20to%20them%20and%20make%20their%20voice%20heard.%20%0A%0AAlmost%20all%20of%20them%20started%20by%20calling%20themselves%20self-advocates%2C%20even%20if%20it%20would%20be%20fair%20to%20assume%20they%20aren%u2019t%20part%20of%20the%20self-advocacy%20movement.%20%0A%20%0A%23%23%23%23%20%uD83E%uDDD0%20Why%20is%20this%20important%3F%20%0A%0AIt%20matters%20because%20it%20shows%20that%20people%20%u2013%20even%20within%20the%20disability%20movement%20-%20are%20not%20aware%20where%20the%20term%20self-advocate%20comes%20from.%20%0A%0AThis%20can%20be%20a%20problem%2C%20because%20it%20further%20marginalises%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0AThe%20variety%20of%20issues%20that%20where%20brought%20up%20and%20the%20intensity%20with%20which%20they%20were%20brought%20forward%20showed%20that%20some%20had%20not%20felt%20they%20had%20an%20opportunity%20to%20make%20themselves%20heard%20up%20until%20this%20point.%20There%20were%20many%20sessions%20on%20many%20different%20topics%2C%20but%20**this%20one%20seemed%20to%20be%20the%20only%20one%20where%20people%20felt%20comfortable%20enough%20to%20say%20how%20they%20really%20felt.**%20%0A%0A%23%23%20%uD83E%uDDD0%20What%20can%20we%20learn%20from%20this%3F%20%0A%0A1.%20%uD83D%uDCAB%20%20Everyone%20benefits%20from%20easy-to-understand%20%5Blanguage.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-standards-how-to-use-easy-to-read%29%0A2.%20%uD83D%uDCAB%20%20%5BSelf-advocates%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/self-advocacy%29%20speak%20openly%2C%20honestly%20and%20very%20clearly%20about%20what%20matters%20to%20them.%20When%20they%20lead%2C%20others%20feel%20encouraged%20to%20speak%20honestly%20as%20well.%0A3.%20%uD83D%uDCAB%20%20Everyone%20wants%20to%20be%20seen%2C%20heard%2C%20and%20given%20the%20space%20to%20speak%20openly.%20Panels%20and%20discussions%20that%20include%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20create%20space%20for%20this.%20%0A%0AThere%20is%20real%20value%20in%20people%20speaking%20openly.%20%0A%0AThere%20is%20value%20in%20people%20feeling%20safe%20enough%20to%20share%20what%20matters%20to%20them.%20%0A%0ABut%20we%20can%20support%20this%20without%20taking%20over%20a%20term%20that%20has%20a%20specific%20and%20important%20meaning.%20%0A%0A*Read%20more%20from%20%5BHelena%20Lambsdorff.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Helena%2520Lambsdorff%29*","Helena Lambsdorff asks what the word means. And gives some answers. ","/where-self-advocates-lead-others-feel-encouraged-to-speak-honestly-as-well","2025-11-28T18:45:28.000Z","2025-12-18T12:02:02.000Z",{"idx":2151,"title":2152,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":885,"picture":2153,"content_e2r":10,"content":2156,"excerpt":2157,"default_type":29,"url":2158,"created_at":2159,"modified_at":2160,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},227,"Inclusion Indicators 2025: Key findings",{"alt":2154,"picture":2155},"Map of Europe with small pictured for each indicator: right to vote, right to live independently, housing and support, education, employment, healthcare, representation.","https://str.inclusion.eu/abd4926d4300153c68fc98510.jpg","New%20report%20shows%20what%20Europe%20looks%20like%20in%20terms%20of%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20for%2020%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20family%20members.%20%0A%0ARead%20the%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%202025%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/abd4926d4300153c68fc98502.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Key%20findings%u202F%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Not%20being%20allowed%20to%20decide%20about%20ones%u2019%20life%20%0A%0A%21%5BMap%20of%20Europe%3A%20Right%20to%20decide%20and%20right%20to%20vote%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/abd4926d4300153c68fc98505.jpg%29%0A%0A%0A-%20In%2014%20countries%20legal%20capaciy%20can%20be%20fully%20removed%20
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80C%20have%20access%20to%20the%20services%20they%20need%2C%20and%20participate%20fully%20in%20all%20parts%20of%20life.%20%20That%20requires%20not%20only%20nice%20words%2C%20but%20real%20action.%20%0A%0A%0A%21%5BSelf-advocates%20and%20their%20supporters%20attending%20final%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%20event%20in%20Inclusion%20Europe%27s%20office%20and%20online%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/0d6b21a7a31754cda13c54503.jpg%29%0A%0AThank%20you%20to%20all%20the%20self-advocates%20and%20organisations%20that%20participated%20and%20were%20present.%20Your%20hard%20work%20made%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%20a%20true%20success.%20%0A%0ASee%20also%3A%0A%0A*%20Report%20from%20%5B2025%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%20events%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/hear-our-voices%21-2025-final-report%29%0A*%20%5BHear%20Our%20Voices%21%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/hear-our-voices%29%20self-advocacy%20conferences%0A*%20%5BRepresenting%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20during%20a%20disability%20week%20in%20Brussels%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/representing-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-during-a-disability-week-in-brussels%29%0A*%20%5BEuropean%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-platform-of-self-advocates%29%0A%0A%20","On 2 December, more than 45 self-advocates and their supporters came together in Brussels and online for the final Hear Our Voices! event of the year.","/hear-our-voices!-2025-final-event","2025-12-05T18:15:51.000Z","2025-12-18T16:13:50.000Z",{"idx":2173,"title":2174,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2175,"picture":2176,"content_e2r":10,"content":2179,"excerpt":2180,"default_type":29,"url":2181,"created_at":2182,"modified_at":2183,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},229,"How Germany makes sure products and services are accessible for people with intellectual disabilities","European A
80ccessibility Act, accessibility,Germany,products and services",{"alt":2177,"picture":2178},"Map of Germany in black, red and gold with European Accessibility Act written on it.","https://str.inclusion.eu/908903646503a8a89950fef00.png","The%20**%5BEuropean%20Accessibility%20Act%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-accessibility-act-makes-products-and-services-more-accessible%29**%20%28EAA%29%20came%20into%20force%20on%2028%20June%202025.%0A%0AThis%20law%20is%20important%20because%20it%20aims%20to%20make%20sure%20that%20certain%20products%20and%20services%20in%20the%20European%20Union%20are%20accessible%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0AIn%20this%20article%2C%20we%20look%20at%20how%20Germany%20is%20putting%20this%20law%20into%20practice.%0A%0AWe%20want%20to%3A%0A-%20Show%20how%20European%20countries%20should%20%28and%20can%29%20make%20products%20and%20services%20accessible%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0A-%20Explain%20what%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20organisations%20should%20pay%20attention%20to%2C%20so%20they%20can%20make%20sure%20the%20law%20is%20followed%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20What%20does%20the%20European%20Accessibility%20Act%20%28EAA%29%20mean%20for%20Germany%3F%0AGermany%20has%20a%20new%20law%20called%20the%20%5BBarriere-Freiheits-St%E4rkungs-Gesetz%5D%28https%3A//bfsg-gesetz.de/leichte-sprache/%29%20%28BFSG%29.%0A%0AThis%20law%20puts%20the%20EAA%20into%20German%20rules.%0A%0AIt%20says%20that%20certain%20products%20and%20services%20must%20be%20accessible%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities%2C%20including%3A%0A%0A-%20Mobile%20phones%2C%20tablets%2C%20computers%2C%20and%20e-book%20readers%0A-%20Telecommunications%20services%0A-%20Online%20shopping%0A-%20Parts%20of%20long-distance%20transport%20services%2C%20such%20as%20websites%20or%20online%20apps%0A-%20Banking%20services%0A-%20Information%20about%20these%20products%20and%20services%2C%20which%20must%20also%20be%20available%20in%20easy-to-read%20language%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20What%20do%20companies%20have%20to%20do%3F%0AManufacturers%2C%20distributors%2C%20importers%20and%20service%20providers%20must%3A%0A-%20Make%20sure%20their%20products%20and%20services%20meet%20accessibility%20requirements%0A-%20Declare%20that%20their%20products%20and%20services%20are%20accessible%0A%20%20%0AIf%20their%20products%20meet%20these%20rules%2C%20they%20use%20the%20%u201CCE%u201D%20marking%20to%20show%20it.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Who%20checks%20if%20products%20are%20accessible%3F%0AIn%20Germany%2C%20the%20market%20surveillance%20authority%20checks%20whether%20products%20and%20services%20follow%20the%20rules.%0AThis%20work%20will%20be%20done%20by%20the%20Market%20Surveillance%20Office%20of%20the%20States%20for%20Accessibility%20of%20Products%20and%20Services%2C%20which%20is%20still%20being%20set%20up.%0AIts%20job%20is%20to%20make%20sure%20companies%20respect%20the%20law.%0AWhat%20if%20a%20product%20is%20not%20accessible%3F%0AIf%20a%20person%20with%20a%20disability%20finds%20a%20product%20or%20service%20that%20is%20not%20accessible%2C%20they%20can%3A%0A%u2022%20Ask%20the%20market%20surveillance%20authority%20to%20take%20action.%20If%20the%20authority%20says%20no%2C%20they%20can%20appeal%20the%20decision%20in%20court.%0A%u2022%20Contact%20the%20Schlichtungsstelle%20%28Conciliation%20Body%29%2C%20which%20helps%20solve%20problems%20between%20consumers%20and%20businesses.%0A%u2022%20Take%20legal%20action%20if%20they%20bought%20a%20product%20or%20used%20a%20service%20that%20was%20defective%20because%20it%20was%20not%20accessible.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Lebenshilfe%u2019s%20role%0ALebenshilfe%20is%20watching%20the%20situation%20closely.%0A%0AThey%3A%0A-%20Shared%20their%20opinion%20to%20help%20create%20a%20good%20accessibility%20law%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%0A-%20Inform%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20about%20their%20rights%20and%20what%20they%20can%20do%0A%0A**Lilian%20Krohn-Aicher%20from%20Lebenshilfe%20said%3A**%0A%0A*%22There%20is%20more%20awareness%20among%20companies%20and%20service%20prov
80iders%20now.%20But%20companies%20and%20service%20providers%20must%20act.%20The%20market%20surveillance%20authority%20should%20make%20sure%20everything%20works.%20We%20must%20keep%20working%20to%20make%20the%20act%20a%20reality%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%22*%0A%0ARecently%2C%20the%20European%20Commission%20started%20%5Ba%20procedure%20against%20Germany%5D%28https%3A//ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_24_3228%29%20for%20not%20complying%20with%20the%20European%20Accessibility%20Act%20fully.%0A%0AFor%20more%2C%20check%20out%20Lebenshilfe%u2019s%20work%20on%20accessibility%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%3A%20%0A%0AMore%20on%20accessibility%3A%0A-%20%5BWhat%20the%20European%20Accessibility%20Act%20means%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-accessibility-act-makes-products-and-services-more-accessible%29%0A-%20%5BLydia%20Fisher%2C%20self-advocate%20from%20Ireland%2C%20spoke%20on%20accessibility%20of%20websites%20and%20apps%20and%20the%20importance%20of%20getting%20the%20right%20support%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/the-internet-is-powerful-but-if-you-dont-know-how-to-use-it-you-are-kind-of-lost.%29%0A-%20%5BAccessibility%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/accessibility%29%20","This article looks at how Germany is putting the European Accessibility Act into practice. ","/how-germany-makes-sure-products-and-services-are-accessible","2025-12-11T18:12:26.000Z","2025-12-29T10:49:30.000Z",{"idx":2185,"title":2186,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2187,"picture":2188,"content_e2r":10,"content":2191,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2192,"created_at":2193,"modified_at":2194,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},230,"âWe want to live independently as part of the community,\" self-advocates told the European Parliament","European Parliament,Inclusion Indicators",{"alt":2189,"picture":2190},"Participants at the event in European Parliament","https://str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e787002.jpeg","Self-advocates%20and%20family-members%20spoke%20about%20what%20needs%20to%20change%20in%20their%20countries%20and%20what%20the%20EU%20needs%20to%20do.%20They%20spoke%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%20on%203%20December%202025.%20This%20Inclusion%20Europe%20event%20was%20hosted%20by%20Cynthia%20N%ED%20Mhurch%FA%20MEP%20%28Ireland%2C%20Renew%29.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Rights%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20must%20be%20respected%0A%0A**Cynthia%20N%ED%20Mhurch%FA%20MEP**%20welcomed%20participants%20to%20the%20event.%20She%20explained%20that%20disability%20advocacy%20is%20deeply%20personal%20to%20her%2C%20describing%20her%20mother%u2019s%20experience.%20She%20talked%20about%20some%20of%20the%20barriers%20people%20face%20in%20access%20to%20%5Bemployment%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/employment-and-social-inclusion%29%20transport%2C%20%5Beducation%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusive-education%29%20or%20public%20services.%0A%0A**L%E1szl%F3%20Bercse%2C**%20Chair%20of%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-platform-of-self-advocates%29%20and%20Vice-President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20said%3A%0A%0A%22It%20is%20important%20for%20us%20to%20be%20able%20to%20come%20to%20the%20European%20Parliament%20and%20tell%20about%20the%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%22%0A%0A%22I%20was%20happy%20to%20see%20that%20the%20European%20Parliament%20approved%20a%20good%20document%20about%20the%20Disability%20Rights%20Strategy%20last%20week.%0ANow%2C%20we%20expect%20the%20European%20Commission%20to%20take%20it%20into%20account%2C%20together%20with%20the%20views%20of%20disability%20organisations%2C%20and%20create%20a%20good%20set%20of%20actions.%22%0A%0A%22Rights%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20must%20be%20respected.%20Everywhere.%20All%20the%20time.%22%0A%0A*%20Read%20%5BL%E1szl%F3%20Bercse%27s%20spee
80ch%20in%20full.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/laszlo-bercse-it-is-important-for-us-to-to-come-to-the-european-parliament%29%0A%0A%21%5BCynthia%20N%ED%20Mhurch%FA%20MEP%20and%20L%E1szl%F3%20Bersce%20at%20the%20event%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e787000.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20Europe%20looks%20like%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20families%0A%0A**Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%2C**%20self-advocate%20and%20accessibility%20expert%20from%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20presented%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%202025%20report.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2025-key-findings%29%0A%0AThe%20report%20shows%20what%20the%20situation%20is%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20family%20members%20in%2033%20countries.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%0A%0ASelf-advocates%20and%20family%20members%20spoke%20about%20the%20situation%20in%20their%20countries%20-%20what%20issues%20they%20face%2C%20and%20what%20they%20expect%20from%20the%20EU%3A%0A%0A%uD83C%uDDF7%uD83C%uDDF4%20**Elisabeta%20Moldovan**%20from%20Romania%3A%20%u201CI%20want%20the%20institutions%20in%20Romania%20to%20be%20closed%20and%20the%20money%20to%20be%20invested%20in%20communities%20and%20social%20services.%20And%20I%20want%20those%2016%20000%20people%20living%20in%20institutions%20to%20live%20in%20the%20community%20the%20same%20way%20we%20live%20in%20the%20community.%20Close%20institutions%21%20I%20lived%20for%2025%20years%20in%20institutions%20and%20now%20I%20live%20in%20the%20community%2C%20and%20I%20truly%20believe%20that%20every%20person%20with%20a%20disability%20can%20do%20the%20same.%u201D%20%0A%0A%uD83C%uDDED%uD83C%uDDFA%20**L%E1szl%F3%20Bercse**%20from%20Hungary%3A%20%u201CWe%20want%20to%20live%20independently%20as%20part%20of%20the%20community.%20Deinstitutionalisation%20must%20continue%21%20We%20need%20support%20services%2C%20instead%20of%20institutions.%20For%20example%2C%20supported%20housing%20and%20personal%20assistance.%20Help%20people%20with%20disabilities%20to%20grow%20and%20to%20build%20relationships%20and%20support%20networks%20in%20the%20community.%u201D%20%0A%0A%uD83C%uDDE9%uD83C%uDDEA%20**Jeanne%20Nicklas-Faust**%20from%20Germany%3A%20%u201CPeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20must%20live%20in%20the%20community.%20In%20Germany%20we%20frequently%20see%20young%20people%20with%20complex%20support%20needs%20being%20institutionalised%20in%20elderly%20care%20homes%2C%20because%20of%20a%20lack%20of%20housing%20and%20support.%20That%20is%20no%20place%20for%20young%20people.%20This%20practice%20must%20stop%21%u201D%20%0A%0A%21%5BParticipants%20at%20the%20event%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e787003.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%uD83C%uDDEE%uD83C%uDDEA%20**Tamara%20Byrne**%20from%20Ireland%3A%20%u201CMake%20education%20inclusive%20for%20all%21%0A%u201CFrom%20a%20very%20young%20age%2C%20we%20are%20separated%20from%20our%20peers%20and%20labelled%20as%20special.%0AMany%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20offered%20no%20meaningful%20options%20after%20leaving%20school%2C%20with%20day%20services%20presented%20as%20the%20default%20pathway.%u201D%20%0A%0A%uD83C%uDDEC%uD83C%uDDEA%20**Mariam%20Berikelashvili**%20from%20Georgia%20said%3A%20%u201CI%20am%20an%20adult%20woman%2C%20who%20knows%20what%20she%20wants.%20Nothing%2
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800these%20issues%20understandable%20and%20accessible%0A%0AThe%20event%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%20continued%20with%20debate%20about%20how%20to%20make%20issues%20faced%20by%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20visible%20in%20the%20media%20-%20and%20how%20to%20make%20the%20news%20in%20the%20media%20accessible%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A**Guillaume%20Jacquinot%2C**%20Secretary%20General%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20shared%20his%20experiences%20supporting%20self-advocates%20and%20working%20with%20journalists%20during%20his%20job%20with%20Inclusion%20Ireland.%0A%0A**Anna%20Mark%2C**%20from%20Austrian%20public%20broadcaster%20ORF%2C%20talked%20about%20their%20work%20with%20different%20broadcasters%20to%20make%20news%20easy%20to%20read%20and%20understand.%20ORF%20has%20been%20producing%20accessible%20news%20content%20since%202017.%20This%20work%20was%20developed%20together%20with%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0A%0AJyrki%20Pinomaa%2C%20President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20closed%20the%20event%2C%20thanking%20everyone%20for%20their%20participation%2C%20and%20Cynthia%20N%ED%20Mhurch%FA%20MEP%20for%20hosting%20us%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament.%0A%0AThe%20event%20was%20co-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%0A%0A%21%5BEvent%20participants%20taking%20a%20group%20photo%20with%20Inclusion%20Europe%20logo%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e787005.jpeg%29%0A%0A**Read%20also%3A**%0A%0A*%20%5BRepresenting%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20during%20a%20disability%20week%20in%20Brussels%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/representing-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-during-a-disability-week-in-brussels%29%0A*%20%5BHear%20Our%20Voices%21%202025%20comes%20to%20an%20end%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/hear-our-voices%21-2025-final-event%29%0A*%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29","/we-want-to-live-independently-self-advocates-european-parliament","2025-12-15T12:04:56.000Z","2025-12-15T12:59:43.000Z",{"idx":2196,"title":2197,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2198,"picture":2199,"content_e2r":10,"content":2202,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2203,"created_at":2204,"modified_at":2205,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},231,"László Bercse: It is important for us to be able to come to the European Parliament and tell about the situation of people with intellectual disabilities and their families","Inclusion Indicators,Laszlo Bercse,European Parliament,self-advocacy,EPSA,deinstitutionalisation",{"alt":2200,"picture":2201},"László Bercse","https://str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e787006.jpg","*L%E1szl%F3%20Bercse%20is%20the%20Chair%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%20and%20Vice-President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20This%20is%20what%20he%20said%20during%20%5Bour%20event%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/we-want-to-live-independently-self-advocates-european-parliament%29%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%3A*%0A%0ALadies%20and%20gentlemen.%20Welcome%21%0A%0AIt%20is%20my%20pleasure%20to%20be%20here%20with%20all%20of%20you%20to%20talk%20about%20what%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20families%20need%20and%20expect%20from%20Europe.%0A%0AI%20want%20to%20thank%20MEP%20Cynthia%20N%ED%20Mhurch%FA%20for%20hosting%20this%20event.%20%0AIt%20is%20great%20to%20have%20your%20support.%0A%0AIt%20is%20important%20for%20us%20to%20be%20able%20to%20come%20to%20the%20European%20Parliament%20and%20tell%20about%20the%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0A%5BWe%20are%20here%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/representing-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-during-a-disability-week-in-brussels%29%20during%20the%20Parliament%u2019s%20Disability%20Rights%20Week.%0AAnd%20we%20bring%20our%20views%20and%20expectations%20of%20what%20the%20EU%20should%20do%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0ASelf-advocates%20in%20many%20countries%20organised%20meetings%20and%20events%20in%20the%20past%20months%20to%20talk%20about%20what%20matters%20to%20them.%0AThese%20meetings%20were%20called%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%0A%0ANow%2C%20we%20bring%20here%20to%20the%20European%20Parliament%20what%20self-advocates%20talked%20about%20in%20their%20countries.%0AWe%20want%20to%20be%20seen.%0AWe%20want%20to%20be%20heard.%0A%0A%21%5BL%E1szl
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80ype":29,"url":2248,"created_at":2249,"modified_at":2250,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},235,"Is something just a 'nice story' before it is 'proven' by numbers?","Helena Lambsdorff,Romania,data,deinstitutionalisation,research",{"alt":2244,"picture":2245},"Blog by Helena Lambsdorff","https://str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e78701b.jpg","%22**Nice%20story%2C%20now%20show%20me%20the%20data**%21%22%2C%20reads%20a%20sticker%20on%20a%20laptop%2C%20from%20across%20the%20room.%20That%20room%20is%20in%20the%20University%20of%20Timi%u0219oara%2C%20Romania%2C%20where%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%20%5Bjust%20spoke%20to%20over%20100%20students%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/from-institutions-to-inclusion-lessons-from-timisoara%29%20of%20social%20work%2C%20disability%20law%20and%20psychology.%20The%20main%20topic%3A%20deinstitutionalisation%20%28DI%29%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0AI%20can%27t%20ignore%20the%20message%2C%20though%20I%20am%20trying%20hard%20to%20concentrate%20on%20the%20exchange%20of%20DI-practices%20%28progress%2C%20and%20%5Bchallenges%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/it-seems-that-deinstitutionalisation-has-become-an-exercise%29%29%20taking%20place%20around%20me.%20In%20a%20university%20data%20is%20the%20foundation%20for%20the%20work%20that%20it%20produces.%20Students%20and%20professors%20must%20put%20it%20at%20the%20basis%20of%20anything%20they%20do.%20Here%2C%20the%20need%20for%20data%20does%20not%20discriminate.%20%0A%0A%21%5BSticker%20on%20laptop%20reading%3A%20Nice%20story%2C%20now%20show%20me%20the%20data%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e787023.jpg%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Is%20something%20just%20a%20%27nice%20story%27%20before%20it%20is%20%27proven%27%20numbers%3F%0A%0AIs%20this%20good%20or%20bad%3F%2C%20I%20ask%20myself.%20Is%20something%20really%20only%20a%20%27nice%20story%27%20before%20it%20is%20%27proven%27%20by%20charts%20and%20an%20accumulation%20of%20numbers%3F%20%0A%0AMost%20%28if%20not%20all%29%20stories%20about%20the%20life%20in%20an%20institution%20
80are%20not%20%27nice%27.%20Talk%20to%20anyone%20who%20has%20ever%20lived%20in%20an%20institution%2C%20and%20let%20me%20know%20%5Bhow%20%27nice%27%20the%20stories%20were.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-european-funds-and-deinstitutionalisation%3Fe2r%3D0%29%20%0A%0ACoincidentally%2C%20I%20spoke%20to%20multiple%20people%20who%20had%20been%20forced%20to%20live%20in%20institutions%20yesterday%20and%20there%20is%20not%20a%20single%20%27nice%27%20thing%20I%20could%20report%20back%20to%20you.%20%5BPhysical%20and%20sexual%20violence%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/sexual-violence-against-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-in-europe-and-how-to-prevent-it---deinstitutionalisation%29%20being%20whipped%20with%20a%20wire%20in%20the%20basement%20as%20punishment%2C%20being%20forced%20to%20take%20medication%2C%20hunger%2C%20cold%2C%20forced%20labor%2C...%20Want%20me%20to%20continue%3F%20%0A%0AI%20heard%20all%20this%20from%20only%203%20people.%20Not%20enough%20to%20be%20used%20at%20university%20level%2C%20I%27d%20assume.%20Academics%20would%20probably%20tell%20me%20that%20you%20cannot%20make%20a%20case%20for%20a%20whole%20country%2C%20never%20mind%20a%20whole%20continent%2C%20based%20on%20the%20story%20of%20only%203%20people.%20%0A%0ABut%20why%20shouldn%27t%20we%20do%20that%3F%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20We%20live%20in%20a%20world%20where%20data%20is%20valued%20and%20needed%0A%0AWhy%20does%20one%20person%27s%20story%20of%20systemic%20violence%20not%20matter%20enough%20to%20us%20to%20change%20the%20whole%20system%3F%20Especially%20when%20we%20know%21%20that%20institutions%20are%20based%20on%20segregation%20and%20the%20silencing%20of%20voices.%20%0A%0AI%20also%20know%20that%20we%20live%20in%20a%20world%20where%20%5Bdata%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20is%20valued%20and%20needed%20to%20understand%20the%20scale%20of%20the%20challenges%20ahead%20of%20us.%20Widespread%20practices%20and%20experiences%20are%20often%20assumed%20to%20be%20exceptional%20-%20data%20can%20help%20us%20understand%20that%20this%20assumption%20is%20wrong.%20That%20really%20%5Bbad%20things%20happen%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2025-key-findings%29%20not%20only%20to%20individuals%20but%20%27groups%27.%20%0A%0AThere%20needs%20to%20be%20a%20change.%20We%20need%20to%20understand%20that%20individuals%20often%20represent%20larger%20groups%2C%20especially%20marginalised%20ones%20like%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20especially%20those%20forced%20to%20live%20in%20institutions.%20And%20we%20also%20need%20those%20with%20the%20power%2C%20tools%2C%20and%20knowledge%20to%20create%20more%20relevant%20data%2C%20one%20that%20actually%20serves%20the%20people%20we%20write%20and%20speak%20about.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Romania%20and%20Europe%20data%0A%0AHere%20is%20some%20data%20from%20Europe%20and%20%5BRomania%5D%28/tag/romania%29%20that%20you%20can%20ponder%20over%20and%20maybe%20even%20use%20for%20the%20greater%20good%3A%20%0A%0A*%20800%20000%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20institutions%20across%20Europe%0A*%2016%20000%20people%20with%20%28mostly%29%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20forced%20to%20live%20in%20%5Binstitutions%20in%20Romania%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/quick-look%253A-deinstitutionalisation-in-albania-bulgaria-hungary-romania-slovakia%29%0A*%2022%20institutions%20with%20more%20than%2050%20people%20in%20Romania%0A*%20372%20institutions%20with%2050%20or%20slightly%20less%0A%0A*Read%20more%20from%20%5BHelena%20Lambsdorff.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Helena%2520Lambsdorff%29*","Helena Lambsdorff shares her thoughts about the use of data in advocacy, following a visit to Romania in October 2025.\n","/is-something-just-a-nice-story-before-it-is-proven-numbers","2025-12-18T11:45:53.000Z","2025-12-29T10:48:37.000Z",{"idx":2252,"title":2253,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2254,"picture":2255,"content_e2r":418,"content":2258,"excerpt":2259,"default_type":29,"url":2260,"created_at":2261,"modified_at":2261,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},236,"Sometimes I help drafting a speech, sometimes I hold his laptop.","Milan Å veÅepa,Inclusion Europe,self-advocacy,support,Soufiane El Amrani",{"alt":2256,"picture":2257},"Blog by Milan Å veÅepa ","https://str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e787025.jpg","%22I%27ll%20be%20there%20as%20Soufiane%27s%20support%20person.%22%0A%0ANo%20other%20sentence%20brings%20revealing%20facial%20expressions%20as%20reliably%20as%20this%20one.%0A%0A-%20Oh%20sure%2C%20%22support%20person%22.%20%28Meaning%3A%20You%27ll%20be%20just%20dictating%20him%20wh
80at%20to%20say.%29%0A-%20You%3F%20A%20support%20person%3F%20%28Meaning%3A%20How%20can%20a%20director%20be%20a%20support%20person%3F%29%0A%0ASometimes%20%28more%20often%20than%20you%27d%20think%29%20my%20job%20is%20supporting%20%5BSoufiane%20El%20Amrani%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Soufiane%2520El%2520Amrani%29%20in%20his%20public%20speaking%20and%20advocating%20for%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83E%uDDD1%u200D%uD83D%uDCBB%20I%20help%20drafting%20speeches.%20%0A%0AUsually%2C%20Soufiane%20writes%20down%20his%20ideas%20for%20the%20speech.%20%0AThen%2C%20we%20go%20through%20it%20together%2C%20looking%20at%20structure%20or%20what%20other%20ideas%20may%20be%20good%20to%20talk%20about.%0AAnd%20we%20try%20out%20how%20the%20language%20fits%2C%20how%20comfortable%20Soufiane%20is%20with%20every%20sentence%20and%20word.%0A%0A%u2757%uFE0F%20And%20no%2C%20this%20isn%27t%20%22manipulation%22%20as%20some%20like%20to%20suggest.%0AGetting%20help%20with%20your%20speech%20is%20absolutely%20normal.%20%0A%0AWhy%20do%20some%20suggest%20otherwise%2C%20I%20wonder...%0A%20%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83C%uDFA4%20I%20help%20with%20appearances%20on%20stage.%0A%0AAccompanying%20Soufiane%20on%20stage%2C%20making%20sure%20everything%20is%20arranged.%0AHelping%20with%20the%20text%20%28scrolling%20through%20pages%20etc.%29%20as%20Soufiane%20delivers%20his%20speech.%0A%0ASometimes%20%28quite%20often%2C%20actually%29%20acting%20as%20a%20stand%20for%20his%20computer%20because%20event%20organisers%20put%20presumed%20coolness%20%28no%20tables%20on%20stage%29%20ahead%20of%20comfort%20and%20accessibility%20%28including%20at%20disability%20events%2C%20of%20all%20places%29.%0A%0AAnd%20yes%2C%20sometimes%20I%20help%20%22translating%22%20questions%20or%20speeches%20-%20explaining%20what%20the%20question%20was%2C%20providing%20some%20context%20to%20it.%0A%0A%u2757%uFE0F%20And%20no%2C%20it%27s%20not%20%22beneath%20a%20director%22%20to%20do%20this.%20%0AWhy%20would%20it%20be%3F%21%0A%0A%21%5BSoufiane%20on%20stage%20of%20Regional%20Disability%20Summit%2C%20me%20holding%20his%20laptop%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/0c86d3455e108ce4e0e787024.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20For%20different%20people%20and%20different%20roles%20there%20will%20be%20different%20ways%0A%0AWe%20share%20this%20role%20among%20us%20in%20the%20Inclusion%20Europe%20team.%20%0AIt%27s%20based%20on%20who%27s%20best%20for%20some%20topics%20%28and%20who%27s%20available%20too%29.%0A%0AIt%27s%20not%20the%20only%20way%20to%20provide%20support%20so%20a%20person%20with%20intellectual%20disability%20can%20contribute%20to%20EU-level
80%20policy-making.%0AFor%20different%20people%20and%20different%20roles%20and%20different%20organisations%20there%20will%20be%20different%20ways%20to%20do%20it.%0A%0ABut%20it%27s%20the%20best%20way%20for%20Soufiane%20and%20us%2C%20we%20find.%0A%0AAnd%20I%20enjoy%20it.%0A%0A*Read%20more%20from%20%5BMilan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Milan%2520%25C5%25A0ve%25C5%2599epa%29*","Milan Å veÅepa writes about his role supporting Soufiane El Amrani in public speaking and advocacy.","/sometimes-i-help-drafting-a-speech-sometimes-i-hold-his-laptop.","2025-12-18T12:34:43.000Z",{"idx":2263,"title":2264,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2265,"picture":2266,"content_e2r":10,"content":2269,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2270,"created_at":2271,"modified_at":2272,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},237,"What the EU's new Affordable Housing Plan means for people with intellectual disabilities and their families ","housing,deinstitutionalisation,Freddy Jussien,European Commission",{"alt":2267,"picture":2268},"The European Affordable Housing Plan","https://str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e704.jpg","Across%20Europe%2C%20%5Bvery%20few%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20adults%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20live%20in%20their%20own%20home%3A%20%0A%0A*%20In%2014%20EU%20countries%2C%20most%20adults%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20live%20with%20their%20families.%0A*%20In%2022%20EU%20countries%2C%20few%20or%20no%20adults%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20live%20in%20their%20own%20home.%0A*%20At%20least%201.1%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20live%20in%20segregated%20%u201Ccare%u201D%20institutions%20with%20more%20than%2010%20people.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Why%20is%20it%20so%20hard%20to%20find%20housing%3F%20%0A%0APeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%5Bface%20many%20obstacles%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-issues-ideas-practices%29%20in%20finding%20their%20own%20home%3A%20%0A%0A*%20A%20lack%20of%20available%20housing%0A*%20Institutionalisation%0A*%20Loss%20or%20restriction%20of%20legal%20capacity%0A*%20Exclusion%20from%20housing%20policies%0A*%20Financial%20barriers%0A*%20Inaccessible%20neighbourhoods%20and%20services%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20EU%27s%20new%20Affordable%20Housing%20Plan%3F%20%0A%0AThe%20%5BEU%20Affordable%20Housing%20Plan%5D%28https%3A//housing.ec.europa.eu/european-affordable-housing-plan_en%29%20comes%20as%20a%20response%20to%20the%20housing%20crisis%20in%20Europe.%20Housing%20crisis%20means%20a%20lot%20of%20people%20%28with%20our%20without%20disabilities%29%20cannot%20find%20suitable%20and%20affordable%20place%20to%20live.%0A%0AThe%20Affordable%20Housing%20Plan%20focuses%20on%3A%20%0A%0A*%20Supporting%20the%20construction%20of%20housing%0A*%20Helping%20people%20cope%20with%20high%20housing%20costs%0A*%20Supporting%20people%20most%20affected%20by%20the%20housing%20crisis%20%0A%0AThis%20plan%20can%20support%20housing%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20even%20if%20it%20does%20not%20always%20mention%20them%20directly.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20does%20the%20Housing%20Plan%20say%3F%20%0A%0A%u201CPersons%20with%20disabilities%20confront%20limited%20availability%20of%20accessible%20housing%2C%20which%20increases%20the%20risk%20of%20%5Binstitutionalisation.%5D%28/tag/institutions%29.%u201D%20%0A%0AThe%20plan%20includes%20the%20following%20actions%3A%20%0A%0A*%20A%20Council%20Recommendation%20on%20fighting%20housing%20exclusion%20%28by%202026%29.%20%0AThis%20means%20EU%20countries%20will%20be%20invited%20to%20share%20guidance%20on%20how%20to%20improve%20housing%20for%20people%20who%20need%20it%20most.%0AStep%20up%20support%20to%20groups%20in%20%u201Cvulnerable%20situations%u201D%2C%20including%20through%20public%20funding%0AChanges%20to%20EU%20law%20on%20public%20funding%20%0A%0AThe%20EU%20Affordable%20Housing%20Plan%20comes%20together%20with%20**changes%20to%20EU%20State%20Aid%20rules.**%20%20State%20Aid%20rules%20say%20how%20EU%20countries%20can%20use%20public%20money.%20%0A%0AThe%20new%20rules%20would%20make%20it%20easier%20for%20countries%2C%20regions%20and%20cities%20to%20use%20public%20money%20for%20housing%20projects%20that%20meet%20social%20needs.%20%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20social%20needs%20listed%20is%3A%20%0A%0A%u201CThe%20care%20and%20social%20inclusion%20of%20vulnerable%20groups%2C%20including%20accessibility%20and%20assistive%20technology%20services%20for%20persons%20with%20disabilities.%u201D%20%0A%0AThis%20is%20an%20important%20opportunity%20for%20housing%20projects%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0ARead%20also%3A%0A%0A*%20%5BFEANTSA%27s%20reaction%5D%28https%3A//www.feantsa.org/resources/reaction-affordable-housing-plan%29%0A*%20%5BHousing%2C%20homelessness%2C%20deinstitutionalisation.%20Freek%20Spinnewijn%20talks%20to%20Inclusion%20Europe%20Radio%5D%28on.eu/housing-homelessness-deinstitutionalisation.-freek-spinnewijn-talks-to-inclusion-europe-radio%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20does%20the%20plan%20NOT%20say%3F%20%0A%0AThe%20plan%20does%20not%20include%20several%20important%20elements%20that%20could%20have%20helped%20address%20the%20housing%20crisis%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0AIt%20does%20not%3A%20%0A%0A*%20Include%20specific%20actions%20to%20build%20accessible%20and%20affordable%20housing%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20%20Such%20actions%20could%20have%20addressed%20the%20large%20range%20of%20obstacles%20that%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20in%20accessing%20housing%2C%20including%20financial%20barriers%2C%20legal%20capacity%20issues%2C%20lack%20of%20accessible%20information%2C%20and%20
80other%20obstacles.%0A*%20Recognise%20people%20living%20in%20institutions%20as%20people%20in%20need%20of%20housing.%20Current%20housing%20data%20often%20does%20not%20include%20people%20who%20live%20in%20institutions.%0A*%20Clearly%20link%20housing%20policy%20with%20deinstitutionalisation.%20The%20plan%20does%20not%20include%20actions%20to%20end%20institutionalisation%20by%20making%20housing%20and%20support%20available%20in%20the%20community.%20%0A%0A*Read%20also%20EDF%27s%20reaction%3A%20%5BPersons%20with%20disabilities%20still%20excluded%20in%20European%20Affordable%20Housing%20Plan%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/persons-with-disabilities-still-excluded-in-european-affordable-housing-plan/%29*%0A%0A%23%23%23%20How%20can%20the%20Housing%20Plan%20be%20used%3F%20%0A%0AThe%20plan%20brings%20political%20attention%20to%20housing%2C%20supported%20by%20new%20funding%20opportunities.%20%0A%0AThere%20is%20a%20new%20funding%20tool%20in%20the%20State%20Aid%20rules%20that%20EU%20countries%2C%20regions%20and%20local%20authorities%20can%20use%20to%20support%20social%20housing%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0AThere%20is%20now%20discussion%20about%20the%20next%20EU%20long-term%20budget%20with%20a%20strong%20focus%20on%20making%20EU%20Funds%20available%20for%20housing.%20%20%0A%0AThis%20is%20the%20moment%20for%20organisations%20representing%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20to%3A%20%0A%0A*%20Promote%20%5Bhousing%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-issues-ideas-practices%29%20as%20a%20key%20way%20to%20achieve%20independent%20living%20and%20inclusion%20in%20the%20community.%0A*%20Share%20concrete%20examples%20of%20how%20to%20make%20housing%20work%20for%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%28You%20can%20find%20some%20examples%20in%20our%20housing%20report%29%20%0A%0AYou%20can%20use%20our%20paper%20%5B%22EU%20money%20for%20the%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%22%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29%20It%20includes%20a%20section%20on%20how%20public%20money%20can%20be%20used%20for%20housing%20and%20support.%20%0A%0A*Article%20by%20%5BFreddy%20Jussien%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Freddy%2520Jussien%29*","/affordable-housing-plan-what-it-means-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families","2025-12-18T12:37:33.000Z","2025-12-29T10:48:08.000Z",{"idx":2274,"title":2275,"author":10,"article_type":321,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2276,"picture":2277,"content_e2r":10,"content":2279,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2280,"created_at":2281,"modified_at":2282,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},238,"Europe for Us - Inclusion Indicators 2025","easy to read,Inclusion Indicators,Inclusion indicators,self-advocacy,representation,education,employment,healthcare,right to vote,independent living",{"alt":2275,"picture":2278},"https://str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e71d.jpg","Contents%20of%20the%20latest%20issue%3A%0A%0A-%20What%20are%20the%20Inclusion%20Indicators%3F%20%0A-%20The%20**7**%20Inclusion%20Indicators%0A-%20Right%20to%20decide%20and%20right%20to%20vote%0A-%20Right%20to%20live%20independently%20and%20to%20be%20included%20in%20the%20community%0A-%20Housing%20and%20support%0A-%20Education%0A-%20Employment%0A-%20Healthcare%0A-%20Representation%0A-%20How%20to%20use%20the%20Inclusion%20Indicators%0A%0ALanguage%20versions%3A%20%5BEnglish%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e714.pdf%29%20-%20%5BNederlands%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e717.pdf%29%20-%20%5BFran%E7ais%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e716.pdf%29%20-%20%5BDeutsch%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e715.pdf%29%20-%20%5BEspa%F1ol%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e718.pdf%29-%20%5BRom%E2n%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e719.pdf%29%20-%20%5BMagyar%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e71a.pdf%29%20-%20%5BItaliano%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/e0a6f8f9e9655f1e4dcf6e71b.pdf%29%0A%0ASubscribe%20to%20our%20%5Bmailing%20list%5D%28https%3A//e34b73c4.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFACxokgTbhuJCuLfAc2Ifim0DgELA4WZiFONtpBoE4S0ec508gn0-InlSjqcNtJ60bcnzL6g4NJCdADATuGTFAzAa_NHSaI6NeuYHsvfX66u4tPlKpl64o7Qx41IY1u3RKOuUD1Asg1dmHbNqZQ3GSLReo-j00e9wswdEtqO1GS8H1TTfFyOIsCt4mfbeWdglJD0kVCynxGf9%29%20to%20receive%20Europe%20for%20us%20magazine%20in%20your%20email.%0A%0A%5BPrevious%20issues%20
80of%20Europe%20for%20Us%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-magazine%29.%0A","/europe-for-us-inclusion-indicators-2025","2025-12-29T10:10:17.000Z","2025-12-29T10:32:58.000Z",{"idx":2284,"title":2285,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2286,"picture":2287,"content_e2r":10,"content":2290,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2291,"created_at":2292,"modified_at":2293,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},239,"My time as President of this great organisation will be over this May. Thank you for the opportunity you have given me - Jyrki Pinomaa writes to Inclusion Europe members","Inclusion Europe,Jyrki Pinomaa, annual report",{"alt":2288,"picture":2289},"Jyrki Pinomaa","https://str.inclusion.eu/afa00810973b798a34e1cf400.jpg","Dear%20members%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%0AI%20have%20had%20the%20honour%20and%20pleasure%20to%20serve%20as%20Inclusion%20Europe%u2019s%20President%20for%20eight%20years.%20My%20second%20term%20will%20come%20to%20its%20end%20next%20May%20after%20our%20General%20Assembly%2C%20part%20of%20%5BEurope%20in%20Action%20conference%20in%20Italy.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2026%29%20My%20time%20as%20President%20of%20this%20great%20organisation%20will%20then%20be%20over.%20%0AThank%20you%2C%20dear%20members%2C%20for%20the%20opportunity%20you%20have%20given%20me%21%0A%0ADuring%20the%20past%20year%202025%2C%20I%20have%20been%20in%20quite%20many%20events%20where%20the%20role%20of%20siblings%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20has%20been%20one%20of%20the%20topics.%20Often%2C%20siblings%20themselves%20have%20been%20bringing%20their%20situation%20as%20family%20members%20into%20spotlight.%20It%20has%20partly%20been%20about%20their%20own%20%5Bexperiences%20in%20growing%20up%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/we-had-a-normal-relationship-but-people-treated-us-differently%29%20in%20a%20family%20with%20one%20or%20more%20persons%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20partly%20about%20them%20taking%20over%20the%20responsibilities%20their%20parents%20have%20been%20carrying.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20I%20remember%20when%20we%20felt%20powerless%0A%0AWhen%20I%20listen%20to%20the%20stories%20of%20the%20siblings%2C%20my%20thoughts%20always%20take%20me%20to%20%5Bmy%20own%20family%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/what-will-happen-once-were-not-there-anymore-we-think-a-lot-about-it/%29%20and%20my%20four%20children.%20Markus%20%2839%29%20and%20Robin%20%2834%29%20with%20their%20very%20complex%20support%20needs%20and%20their%20siblings%20Rasmus%20%2840%29%20and%20Martina%20%2836%29.%20I%20feel%20a%20flow%20of%20strong%20emotions%20inside%20myself.%20My%20eyes%20are%20blinded%20by%20a%20stream%20of%20tears.%0A%0AI%20remember%20when%20we%20felt%20powerless%20as%20%u201Creserved%20parents%u201D%20of%20two%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20I%20remember%20our%20attempts%20to%20find%20ways%20to%20be%20parents%20also%20to%20our%20non-disabled%20children.%20%0A%0AI%20remember%20constantly%20having%20bad%20conscience%2C%20caused%20by%20the%20exhausting%20feeling%20of%20inadequacy.%20And%20an%20equal%20feeling%20also%20from%20the%20moments%20of%20relief%20when%20Markus%20and%20Robin%20were%20in%20respite%20care.%20Aren%27t%20we%20capable%20of%20taking%20care%20of%20our%20own%20children%3F%0A%0A%21%5BMarianne%20and%20Jyrki%20Pinomaa%20with%20part%20of%20the%20family%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/afa00810973b798a34e1cf401.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0AThe%20concern%20for%20the%20well-being%20of%20the%20siblings%20was%20always%20there.%20With%20help%20from%20psychotherapists%20the%20siblings%20got%20through%20their%20adolescence%20turmoil.%20Yet%2C%20when%20listening%20to%20siblings%20today%2C%20I%20feel%20anxious%20about%20the%20thought%20of%20our%20children%27s%20adult%20life%2C%20its%20challenging%20moments%20and%20the%20anxiety%20of%20the%20future.%20Have%20we%20been%20able%20to%20equip%20them%20with%20strong%20enough%20life%20skills%3F%0A%0AThe%20topic%20of%20%5Bsiblings%5D%28/tag/siblings%29%20and%20the%20situation%20of%20families%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20with%20complex%20needs%20are%20the%20two%20topics%20which%20have%20always%20been%20most%20important%20to%20me.%20I%20am%20very%20happy%20that%20both%20are%20now%20well%20recognised%20and%20represented%20in%20the%20work%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%0A%21%5BJyrki%20at%20World%20Congress%20session%
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organisations join forces for better participation of people with disabilities in EU policy-making","Inclusion Europe,European Down Syndrome Association,press 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806-01-13T12:11:46.000Z","2026-01-19T16:34:44.000Z",{"idx":2315,"title":2316,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2317,"picture":2318,"content_e2r":10,"content":2321,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2322,"created_at":2323,"modified_at":2324,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},242,"EU Accession and situation of people with intellectual disabilities ","Albania,Ukraine,Georgia,North Macedonia,Moldova,EU Accession,Inclusion Indicators,EU enlargement",{"alt":2319,"picture":2320},"Join now button, EU stars, and hands clicking the button","https://str.inclusion.eu/a2585b8b429a788b2d9942f03.jpg","%23%23%23%23%20Many%20countries%20are%20in%20the%20process%20of%20joining%20the%20European%20Union%20%28EU%29.%20%0A%23%23%23%23%20This%20is%20an%20important%20moment%20to%20review%20the%20countries%27%20laws%2C%20policies%20and%20services.%20%0A%23%23%23%23%20The%20EU%20accession%20process%20looks%20at%20whether%20candidate%20countries%20respect%20human%20rights%2C%20including%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities.%0A%0ARead%20our%20briefing%20%5Bon%20EU%20accession%20here.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/a2585b8b429a788b2d9942f04.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0APeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20still%20face%20many%20barriers%20in%20EU%20candidate%20countries.%20%0A%0A*%20Many%20people%20live%20in%20institutions%20or%20without%20enough%20support%20in%20the%20community.%0A*%20Many%20do%20not%20have%20access%20to%20education%2C%20work%20and%20healthcare.%0A*%20Some%20are%20not%20able%20to%20make%20their%20own%20decisions%20or%20take%20part%20in%20political%20life.%0A*%20People%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20also%20often%20left%20out%20of%20discussions%20about%20reforms.%0A%0AThis%20briefing%20shows%20the%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Albania%2C%20North%20Macedonia%2C%20Georgia%2C%20Moldova%2C%20and%20Ukraine.%20It%20aims%20to%20support%20organisations%2C%20policymakers%20and%20decision-makers%20to%20use%20the%20EU%20accession%20process%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20%0A%0APeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20must%20not%20be%20forgotten%20during%20EU%20enlargement.%20%0A%0ARead%20our%20briefing%20%5Bon%20EU%20accession%20here.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/a2585b8b429a788b2d9942f04.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20is%20the%20EU%0A%0ALearn%20in%20this%20video%3A%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/x8cv9XgbBOA%3Fsi%3Dmd3H8xQig_UUUOzj%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20More%20reports%3A%20%0A%0A**20%20years%20in%20the%20EU%3A**%20%5BWhat%20has%20changed%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20in%20that%20time%3F%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/20-years-in-eu%29%0A%0A%5BInclusion%20Indicators%202025%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2025-key-findings%29%0A%0AUkraine%3A%20%5BReport%20on%20the%20situation%20and%20impact%20of%20war%20on%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families-in-ukraine.-report-on-their-situation-and-impact-of-war%29%0A%0AQuick%20look%3A%20%5BDeinstitutionalisation%20in%20Albania%2C%20Bulgaria%2C%20Hungary%2C%20Romania%2C%20Slovakia%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/quick-look%253A-deinstitutionalisation-in-albania-bulgaria-hungary-romania-slovakia%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20is%20the%20UN%20CRPD%3F%0A%0ALearn%20about%20the%20CRPD%20in%20this%20video%3A%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/sZCa2_sMKW4%3Fsi%3D_BORv8-bxCwwyT3Q%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A","/briefing-on-eu-accession","202
806-01-14T18:41:38.000Z","2026-01-14T19:33:27.000Z",{"idx":2326,"title":2327,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2328,"picture":2329,"content_e2r":10,"content":2331,"excerpt":2332,"default_type":29,"url":2333,"created_at":2334,"modified_at":2335,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},243," What countries that want to join the EU need to do for rights and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities","EU enlargement,EU Accession,Georgia,Moldova,North Macedonia,Albania,Ukraine,Freddy Jussien",{"alt":2132,"picture":2330},"https://str.inclusion.eu/c97f8b981e2f5ce3dd17c5900.jpg","*Blog%20by%20Freddy%20Jussien*%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Putting%20the%20spotlight%20on%20the%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20that%20often%20remain%20off%20the%20radar%20%u2014%20this%20is%20our%20role.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%uD83D%uDCC4%20And%20we%20do%20just%20that%20with%20a%20new%20briefing%20on%20EU%20accession%20and%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A%5BThe%20briefing%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/briefing-on-eu-accession%29%20points%20out%20the%20changes%20needed%20for%20EU%20candidate%20countries.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Albania%20%uD83C%uDDE6%uD83C%uDDF1%0A%0A%u201CEven%20though%20independent%20living%20and%20living%20in%20the%20community%20is%20mentioned%20as%20a%20priority%20by%20our%20government%20in%20main%20strategies%20and%20action%20plans%2C%20still%20nothing%20has%20been%20done.%u201D%0A%u2014%20Help%20the%20Life%20Association%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20North%20Macedonia%20%uD83C%uDDF2%uD83C%uDDF0%0A%0A%u201CThe%20existing%20guardianship%20system%20results%20in%20restrictions%20on%20decision-making%20and%20the%20right%20to%20choose%20for%20persons%20with%20intellectual%20disability.%u201D%0A%u2014%20Poraka%20organisation%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Georgia%20%uD83C%uDDEC%uD83C%uDDEA%0A%u201CThe%20government%20has%20abolished%20the%20Inclusive%20Education%20Department%2C%20which%20has%20significantly%20weakened%20institutional%20support%20and%20coordination%20in%20this%20field.%u201D%0A%u2014%20Georgian%20Down%20Syndrome%20Association%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Moldova%20%uD83C%uDDF2%uD83C%uDDE9%0A%u201CSupport%20services%20are%20insufficient%3B%20mobile%20teams%20help%20but%20need%20wider%20coverage.%u201D%0A%u2014%20Keystone%20Moldova%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Ukraine%20%uD83C%uDDFA%uD83C%uDDE6%0A%u201CThe%20government%20has%20to%20determine%20at%20least%20minimal%20financial%20guarantees%20from%20the%20national%20level%20public%20budget.%u201D%0A%u2014%20VGO%20Coalition%2C%20speaking%20about%20supported-living%20%0A%0A%5BThis%20briefing%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/briefing-on-eu-accession%29%20is%20a%20useful%20resource%20for%20the%20European%20Commission%20in%20its%20work%20on%20the%20EU%20enlargement.%0A%0AThanks%20all%20the%20people%20involved%20in%20writing%20it%21","\n","/what-countries-that-want-to-join-the-eu-need-to-do-for-rights-and-inclusion-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities","2026-01-15T15:50:21.000Z","2026-01-15T16:03:01.000Z",{"idx":2337,"title":2338,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2339,"picture":2340,"content_e2r":10,"content":2342,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2343,"created_at":2344,"modified_at":2345,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},244,"Join online workshop about situation of people with intellectual disabilities and their families - 10 February 2026","Unity project,Inclusion Indicators,Inge Volleberg",{"alt":774,"picture":2341},"https://str.inclusion.eu/a512144cac7de19ee514e1c0c.jpg","%23%23%23%23%20Join%20an%20online%20workshop%20to%20learn%20about%20Inclusion%20Indicators%202025.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20There%20will%20also%20be%20discussions%20about%20deinstitutionalisation%20or%20employment%0A%0A%5BRegister%20here%20to%20attend.%5D%28https%3A//forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx%3Fid%3DgQl6t-1XfUaAoOBlamz7XBTtGxxUDRdLjNZpTXTzFrBUNzJFRENBUVhSWVJSS0tYS1lRNTFQTEhQUS4u%26route%3Dshorturl%29%0A%0AJoin%20a%20two-day%20workshop%2C%20online%20in%20February.%0A%0AInge%20Volleberg%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%20researcher%2C%20will%20talk%20about%3A%0A%0A*%20What%20the%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%20data%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2025-key-findings%29%20tell%2
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with the European Commission to discuss issues faced by people with intellectual disabilities and their families"," European Commission,Inclusion Europe,disability strategy ,Inclusion Indicators,Freddy Jussien,Inge Volleberg",{"alt":2351,"picture":2352},"Inge Volleberg and Freddy Jussien in front of the European Commission 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80ype":29,"url":2364,"created_at":2365,"modified_at":2366,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},246,"Inclusion Indicators in the media","Inclusion Indicators,Inclusion Europe,media",{"alt":275,"picture":2362},"https://str.inclusion.eu/22f03f6aee9b1ef445223fe04.jpg","%23%23%23%23%20Inclusion%20Indicators%20is%20a%20report%20about%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%2C%20and%20it%20covers%20more%20than%2030%20countries.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20There%20are%20media%20articles%20about%20Inclusion%20Indicators%2C%20informing%20people%20about%20the%20situation%20in%20different%20countries.%0A%0AInclusion%20Indicators%20report%20shows%20what%20Europe%20looks%20like%20in%20terms%20of%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20for%2020%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20family%20members.%0A%0AWe%20publish%20this%20report%20every%20year.%20The%20first%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20was%20done%20in%202023.%0A%0AWe%20use%20the%20Inclusion%20Indicators%20data%20to%20tell%20about%20what%20life%20is%20like%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20We%20hope%20that%20organisations%20all%20around%20Europe%20can%20use%20the%20information%20too%2C%20and%20tell%20their%20governments%20to%20do%20better.%0A%0AFor%20example%2C%20we%20organise%20%5Bmeetings%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/meeting-with-the-european-commission-to-discuss-issues-faced-by-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families%29%20and%20%5Bevents%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-parliament-what-the-eu-needs-to-do-for-inclusion%29%20in%20Brussels.%0A%0AWe%20also%20present%20the%20Inclusion%20Indicatorst%20to%20the%20media.%20Here%20are%20some%20examples%20of%20articles%20and%20videos%20talking%20about%20Inclusion%20Indicators%3A%0A%0A%uD83C%uDDEA%uD83C%uDDF8%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20alerta%20de%20que%20la%20vida%20independiente%20es%20inaccesible%20para%20muchas%20personas%20con%20discapacidad%20intelectual%20en%20Espa%F1a%5D%28https%3A//www.servimedia.es/noticias/inclusion-europe-alerta-vida-independiente-es-inaccesible-para-muchas-personas-discapacidad-intelectual-espana/1412195578%29%0A%0A%uD83C%uDDE6%uD83C%uDDF9%20%5BBericht%20zeigt%20Verbesserungsbedarf%20in%20Europa%5D%28https%3A//science.orf.at/stories/3233520/%29%0A%0A%uD83C%uDDEE%uD83C%uDDF8%20%5BA%F0%20brj%F3ta%20gler%FEaki%F0%3A%20l%FD%F0%ADr%E6%F0is%ADleg%20%FE%E1tt%ADtaka%20f%F3lks%20me%F0%20%FEroskah%F6mlun%20og%20skyldar%20fatlanir%5D%28https%3A//www.visir.is/g/20262831477d/ad-brjota-glerthakid-lyd-raedis-leg-thatt-taka-folks-med-throskahomlun-og-skyldar-fatlanir%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20ORF%20video%20about%20Inclusion%20Indicators%0A%0AThe%20Austrian%20public%20broadcaster%20ORF%20created%20a%20video%20about%20Inclusion%20Indicators.%20It%27s%20in%20German%2C%20and%20you%20can%20%5Bwatch%20it%20here.%5D%28https%3A//zukunft.orf.at/show_content.php%3Fsid%3D147%26pvi_id%3D2541%26pvi_medientyp%3Dv%26oti_tag%3DE2U%29%0A%0A%5B%21%5BSoufiane%20El%20Amrani%20in%20vidoe%20by%20ORF%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/cfa260498f2a64ca60b43360c.png%29%5D%28https%3A//zukunft.orf.at/show_content.php%3Fsid%3D147%26pvi_id%3D2541%26pvi_medientyp%3Dv%26oti_tag%3DE2U%29%0A%0ATo%20learn%20more%20about%20Inclusion%20Indicators%2C%20you%20can%20%5Battend%20online%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/unity-workshop-inclusion-indicators-february-2026%29%20workshop%20on%2010%20February%202026.%0A","/inclusion-indicators-in-the-media","2026-01-26T17:10:56.000Z","2026-01-27T08:57:31.000Z",{"idx":2368,"title":2369,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2370,"picture":2371,"content_e2r":10,"content":2373,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2374,"created_at":2375,"modified_at":2376,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},247,"Workshop for self-advocates in Portugal: About politics, participation in public life and voting","UNITY project,self-advocacy,representation,Portugal,European Union,political participation",{"alt":774,"picture":2372},"https://str.inclusion.eu/a512144cac7de19ee514e1c12.jpg","%0A%23%23%23%23%20*%5BLeia%20este%20artigo%20em%20portugu%EAs.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/workshop-para-auto-representantes-em-portugal%29*%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20together%20with%20%5BFENACERCI%5D%28https%3A//www.fenacerci.pt/%29%2C%20is%20organising%20a%20workshop%20for%20self-advocates%20about%20voting%2C%20politics%2C%20and%20rights.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20The%20workshop%20takes%20place%20in%20Lisbon%2C%20Portugal%2C%20on%203%20and%204%20February%202026.
80%0A%0AAt%20the%20event%2C%20people%20will%20learn%20about%3A%0A%0A*%20Their%20%5Bright%20to%20vote%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/voting-rights%29%20and%20taking%20part%20in%20politics.%0A*%20The%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%2C%20especially%20about%20the%20rigth%20to%20participation%20in%20political%20and%20public%20life.%0A*%20How%20politics%20works%20in%20Portugal.%0A*%20How%20the%20European%20Union%20works%20and%20why%20it%20matters%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A*%20How%20organisations%20and%20public%20bodies%20support%20political%20participation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A*%20%5BAccessible%20elections%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/accessibility%29%20and%20voting.%0A%0AThe%20event%20is%20for%20self-advocates%2C%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20and%20disability%20organisations.%0AIt%20is%20also%20for%20anyone%20interested%20in%20inclusion%2C%20voting%2C%20and%20democracy.%0A%0AThere%20will%20be%20presentations%2C%20discussions%2C%20and%20time%20for%20questions.%0AEveryone%20can%20share%20their%20ideas%20and%20experiences.%0A%0AThe%20workshop%20is%20part%20of%20the%20%5BUNITY%20project%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/unity%29.%20The%20project%20works%20to%20improve%20political%20participation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20It%20is%20funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%0A%0AYou%20can%20find%20the%20%5Bfull%20agenda%20here%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/cfa260498f2a64ca60b433611.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29.%0A%0A%0A*%5BLeia%20este%20artigo%20em%20portugu%EAs.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/workshop-para-auto-representantes-em-portugal%29*%0A%0A%0A%21%5BCo-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/22f03f6aee9b1ef445223fe02.jpg%29%0A","/unity-national-dialogue-2026-in-portugal","2026-01-26T18:28:35.000Z","2026-04-30T17:23:25.000Z",{"idx":2378,"title":2379,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2380,"picture":2381,"content_e2r":10,"content":2383,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2384,"created_at":2385,"modified_at":2386,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},248,"We are not alone, writes Milan Å veÅepa in our latest Belonging with Inclusion Europe newsletter","Inclusion Europe,Milan Å veÅepa,Belonging with Inclusion Europe",{"alt":142,"picture":2382},"https://str.inclusion.eu/de372a264b912008685194207.png","%0AHello%20from%20Brussels.%20It%u2019s%20Milan%20writing.%0A%0AThis%20newsletter%20is%20about%20Inclusion%20Europe%20plans%20for%20the%20year%2C%20about%20what%20we%20are%20going%20to%20do%20together%20with%20you%20and%20others%20to%20support%20self-advocates%20and%20family%20members%20to%20speak%20directly%20with%20decision-makers%2C%20to%20bring%20data%20and%20insights%20into%20European%20policy-making%2C%20to%20collaborate%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion.%0A%0AI%20could%20just%20start%20telling%20you%20what%20events%20we%u2019ll%20organise%20and%20which%20reports%20we%u2019ll%20write.%20About%20the%20work%20you%20can%20help%20us%20do%20this%20year%2C%20contributing%20your%20experience%20and%20expertise.%0ABut%20I%20don%u2019t%20think%20simply%20listing%20upcoming%20work%20and%20getting%20on%20with%20business%20
80as%20usual%20cuts%20it%20anymore.%20%28I%u2019m%20not%20sure%20it%20ever%20did.%29%0A%0AWherever%20I%20go%2C%20people%20tell%20me%20governments%20are%20cutting%20funding%20for%20organisations%20and%20for%20services.%20That%20means%20less%20opportunities%20for%20people%20to%20come%20together%2C%20to%20work%20together%3B%20to%20have%20good%20support%20and%20decent%20life.%0AI%20hear%20of%20new%20institutions%20being%20opened%2C%20even%20in%20countries%20that%20did%20away%20with%20them%20decades%20ago.%20%0AOf%20new%20laws%20that%20make%20it%20easier%20to%20provide%20bad%20services%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0AI%20read%20and%20watch%20the%20news%u2026%0A%0AI%u2019m%20not%20writing%20this%20to%20add%20to%20that%20weight%20-%20I%u2019m%20writing%20it%20to%20say%3A%20We%20are%20not%20alone.%0AThere%20are%20thousands%20and%20thousands%20of%20us%20who%20share%20the%20vision%20of%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion.%0AWho%20work%20for%20it%2C%20in%20all%20kinds%20of%20different%20ways.%0AWho%20-%20yes%20-%20struggle%20with%20all%20that%20is%20going%20on%20in%20the%20world%2C%20both%20concerning%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20and%20in%20broader%2C%20political%20sense.%20But%20who%20come%20together%20in%20families%20or%20organisations%2C%20at%20local%2C%20national%20or%20any%20other%20level%20nonetheless.%0AAnd%20who%20make%20things%20happen%20every%20day%2C%20making%20this%20world%20a%20better%20place.%0A%0AI%u2019m%20writing%20this%20to%20say%20that%20despite%20all%20the%20negative%20things%2C%20there%20are%20still%20good%20changes%20to%20laws%2C%20for%20example%20with%20legal%20capacity.%20%0AThere%20is%20very%20good%20support%20available%20in%20many%20places.%20%0AThere%20are%20a%20lot%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20who%20have%20full%20and%20fulfilling%20lives.%0A%0AThere%u2019s%20a%20big%20power%20in%20this%20movement.%20Both%20in%20what%20it%20has%20achieved%20and%20in%20how%20it%20comes%20together%20to%20achieve%20even%20more.%0A%0ALet%u2019s%20use%20that.%20Let%u2019s%20build%20on%20past%20success%20%28better%20legal%20capacity%20laws%2C%20inclusive%20education%20or%20good%20support%20for%20many%2C%20closed%20institutions%20in%20a%20lot%20of%20places%u2026%29%20and%20let%u2019s%20use%20it%20to%20tackle%20the%20mountain%20of%20challenges%20that%20remain.%0A%0AThe%20world%20is%20constantly%20changing.%20New%20challenges%20arise%20when%20we%20haven%u2019t%20fully%20overcome%20those%20that%20were%20already%20there.%0AWe%20need%20to%20adapt%20and%20react.%20%0AWe%20need%20to%20change%20some%20ways%20of%20working%2C%20while%20we%20stay%20committed%20to%20the%20mission%20of%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20for%20all.%0A%0A%u201CFull%20rights%20and%20inclusion%u201D%20isn%u2019t%20a%20pipe%20dream.%20It%u2019s%20a%20reality%20lived%20by%20many.%20That%u2019s%20what%20gives%20this%20movement%20its%20power.%0A%0AAnd%20when%20we%20use%20that%20power%2C%20the%20power%20of%20our%20vision%20and%20the%20power%20of%20those%20who%20live%20it%20daily%2C%20we%20continue%20to%20make%20this%20world%20a%20better%20place%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20And%20for%20everyone%20else%2C%20too.%0A%0AThat%u2019s%20what%20Belonging%20%28with%20Inclusion%20Europe%29%20is%20to%20me.%0A%5BLet%20me%20know%5D%28mailto%[email protected]%29%20what%20you%20think.%0A%0A%23%23%20This%20below%20is%20what%20we%u2019re%20going%20to%20do%20this%20year%20to%20add%20the%20collective%20effort%3A%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Events%0A%0A**Europe%20in%20Action.**%0A%0A%5BEveryone%27s%20coming%20together%20in%20Vicenza%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2026%29%20Italy%2C%20for%20the%2021st%20Europe%20in%20Action%20conference.%20%0AThe%20conference%20takes%20place%2025%20-%2027%20May%202026.%20%0AThe%20conference%20is%20about%20%u201CIndividualised%2C%20personalised%2C%20and%20participatory%20life%20project%u201D%3A%0A%0A*%20Person-centred%20support%3A%20Support%20based%20on%20individual%20preferences%2C%20expectations%2C%20and%20life%20situations.%20No%20more%20%u201Cone-size-fits-all%u201D%20approach.%0A*%20Different%20issues%20faced%20by%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20from%20the%20right%20to%20decide%2C%20access%20to%20housing%20and%20services%2C%20education%2C%20employment%2C%20and%20participation.%0A%0ARegistrations%20open%20next%20week.%20See%20you%20all%20there.%0A%0A%21%5BEurope%20in%20Action%202026%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/81e064ae1f79a26085efe0c40.jpg%29%0A%0A%0A**%5BOnline%20workshop%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/unity-workshop-inclusion-indicators-february-2026%29%20about%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%2C**%20and%20how%20Inclusion%20Indicators%20help%20in%20advocating%20for%20their%20rights.%2010%20February%202026.
80%20It%27s%20part%20of%20the%20UNITY%20project.%0A%0AThere%20will%20be%20more%20%5BUNITY%20project%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Unity%2520project%29%20events%2C%20for%20example%20trainings%20about%20participation%20in%20politics%20in%20Portugal%20and%20Czechia%2C%20both%20in%20February.%0A%0A**In%20April%2C%20%5BEPSA%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-platform-of-self-advocates%29%20Steering%20Group%20comes%20together%20in%20Brussels%20to%20coordinate%20self-advocacy%20work%2C**%20and%20to%20talk%20and%20learn%20about%20political%20participation.%20%0A%5BContact%20Sandra%5D%28mailto%[email protected]%29%20if%20you%20want%20to%20learn%20more.%0A%0A**Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%20online%20events%20bringing%20self-advocates%20together**%20to%20share%20and%20learn.%20In%20June%20and%20in%20September.%0A%28Next%20in-person%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%20conference%20will%20be%20in%202027.%29%0A%0A**Summer%20school%20for%20self-advocates%2C**%20in%20July.%20Four%20days%20of%20training%20about%20self-advocacy%20at%20European%20level.%0A%28There%20will%20be%20a%20training%20for%20family%20members%20in%20summer%202027.%29%0A%0A**We%20are%20also%20constantly%20talking%20with%20our%20members%20and%20other%20people%20and%20organisations%20to%20learn%20about%20what%20works%20is%20being%20done**%20and%20what%20issues%20you%20face.%0AThis%20week%2C%20Freddy%20had%20a%20meeting%20with%20members%20to%20learn%20about%20%5Bissues%20they%20tackle%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/members-work-2026-start%29%20in%20their%20countries.%20Here%27s%20his%20summary.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Reports%2C%20research%20and%20tools%0A%0A**Young%20families%20report.**%20%0AWe%27ve%20been%20talking%20with%20parents%20and%20siblings%20of%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20We%20are%20now%20putting%20together%20a%20report%20that%20will%20tell%20their%20stories%2C%20views%2C%20and%20what%20change%20needs%20to%20happen%20in%20different%20policies.%20The%20report%20will%20be%20out%20in%20March.%0A%5BContact%20Inge%5D%28mailto%[email protected]%29%20to%20learn%20more%20or%20contribute.%0A%0A**Inclusion%20Indicators%20will%20continue%20to%20inform%20Europe**%20about%20the%20situation%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0A**We%27ll%20publish%20new%20tools**%20for%20advocacy%20and%20also%20about%20how%20to%20organise%20inclusive%20events.%0A%0AWe%27ll%20be%20also%20doing%20some%20publications%20on%20sexual%20and%20reproductive%20rights%20this%20year.%0A%5BContact%20Helena%5D%28mailto%[email 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800gVsWEZ8sxVnOQ%29*%0A","/we-are-not-alone-belonging-newsletter","2026-01-26T20:37:11.000Z","2026-01-27T12:23:38.000Z",{"idx":2388,"title":2389,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2390,"picture":2391,"content_e2r":10,"content":2393,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2394,"created_at":2395,"modified_at":2396,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},249,"Workshop para autorrepresentantes em Portugal: Sobre polÃtica, participação na vida pública e votação","Portugal,PT,Unity project",{"alt":774,"picture":2392},"https://str.inclusion.eu/a512144cac7de19ee514e1c11.jpg","%23%23%23%23%20A%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20com%20o%20apoio%20da%20%5BFENACERCI%5D%28https%3A//www.fenacerci.pt%29%2C%20organiza%20um%20workshop%20para%20autorrepresentantes%20sobre%20o%20direito%20ao%20voto%2C%20e%20participa%E7%E3o%20na%20vida%20p%FAblica%20e%20pol%EDtica.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20O%20workshop%20ter%E1%20lugar%20em%20Lisboa%2C%20Portugal%2C%20nos%20dias%203%20e%204%20de%20fevereiro%20de%202026.%20%0A%0A*%5BRead%20this%20article%20in%20English.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/unity-national-dialogue-2026-in-portugal%29*%0A%0ANo%20evento%2C%20as%20pessoas%20v%E3o%20aprender%20sobre%3A%20%0A-%20O%20%5Bdireito%20de%20voto%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/voting-rights%29%20e%20participa%E7%E3o%20na%20pol%EDtica.%0A-%20A%20Conven%E7%E3o%20das%20Na%E7%F5es%20Unidas%20sobre%20os%20Direitos%20das%20Pessoas%20com%20Defici%EAncia%2C%20especialmente%20sobre%20o%20direito%20%E0%20participa%E7%E3o%20na%20vida%20pol%EDtica%20e%20p%FAblica.%0A-%20Como%20funciona%20o%20sisrema%20pol%EDtico%20em%20Portugal.%0A-%20Como%20funciona%20a%20Uni%E3o%20Europeia%20e%20porque%20%E9%20importante%20para%20as%20pessoas%20com%20defici%EAncia%20intelectual%20e%20as%20suas%20fam%EDlias.%0A-%20Como%20as%20organiza%E7%F5es%20e%20os%20%F3rg%E3os%20p%FAblicos%20apoiam%20a%20participa%E7%E3o%20pol%EDtica%20das%20pessoas%20com%20defici%EAncia%20intelectual.%0A-%20%5BElei%E7%F5es%20acess%EDveis%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/accessibility%29%20e%20vota%E7%E3o.%0A%20%20%0AO%20evento%20%E9%20para%20autorrepresentantes%2C%20pessoas%20com%20defici%EAncia%20intelectual%20e%20organiza%E7%F5es%20de%20pessoas%20com%20defici%EAncia.%20Qualquer%20pessoa%20interessada%20na%20inclus%E3o%2C%20na%20participa%E7%E3o%20e%20na%20democracia%20tamb%E9m%20pode%20participar.%20%0A%0AVamos%20ter%20apresenta%E7%F5es%2C%20debates%2C%20e%20tempo%20para%20perguntas.%20Todos%20podem%20partilhar%20as%20suas%20ideias%20e%20experi%EAncias.%20%0A%0AEste%20evento%20faz%20parte%20do%20%5Bprojeto%20UNITY%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/unity%29.%20O%20projeto%20trabalha%20para%20melhorar%20a%20participa%E7%E3o%20pol%EDtica%20e%20p%FAblica%20das%20pessoas%20com%20defici%EAncia%20intelectual.%20%C9%20financiado%20pela%20Uni%E3o%20Europeia.%20%0A%0APode%20encontrar%20a%20%5Bagenda%20completa%20aqui%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/de372a264b912008685194204.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29.%0A%0A%0A*%5BRead%20this%20article%20in%20English.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/unity-national-dialogue-2026-in-portugal%29*%0A%0A%21%5BCo-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/22f03f6aee9b1ef445223fe02.jpg%29%0A","/workshop-para-auto-representantes-em-portugal","2026-01-27T09:15:57.000Z","2026-04-30T17:22:34.000Z",{"idx":2398,"title":2399,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2400,"picture":2401,"content_e2r":10,"content":2403,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2404,"created_at":2405,"modified_at":2406,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},250,"(Some of) what our members' do to make the world a better place for people with intellectual disabilities and their families","Spain,Plena inclusión,Denmark,Lev,Austria,Lebenshilfe Austria,Ireland,Inclusion Ireland,Greece,employment,education,Community,Freddy Jussien",{"alt":2132,"picture":2402},"https://str.inclusion.eu/22f03f6aee9b1ef445223fe06.jpg","It%u2019s%20only%20the%20start%20of%20the%20year%20and%20there%27s%20so%20much%20going%20on.%0AI%20met%20with%20our%20members%20online%20on%2022%20January%20to%20talk%20about%20the%20work%20they%20are%20doing%20to%20make%20the%20world%20a%20better%20place%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0AThis%20is%20%28some%20of%29%20what%20we%20are%20doing%20in%202026%uD83D%uDC47%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%uD83C%uDDEA%uD83C%uDDFA%20Inclusion%20Europe%20report%20on%20supported%20decision-making%20coming%20soon.%0A%0AIt%20shows%20examples%20
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80organisations%20in%20the%20inclusion%20movement%20gain%20and%20develop%20skills%20and%20experiences%20to%20ensure%20more%20effective%20advocacy.%0A%0AParticipants%20discuss%20issues%20important%20to%20them%20and%20share%20experiences%20and%20ideas%20to%20advance%20inclusion.%20There%20are%20many%20opportunities%20to%20discuss%20and%20learn%20about%20the%20work%20being%20done%20in%20different%20countries.%0A%0AThe%20conferences%20are%20organised%20by%20our%20members%20together%20with%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%0A%23%23%20Conference%20sponsors%0A%0AEurope%20in%20Action%202026%20is%20co-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union%20%28CERV%20program%29.%0A%0A%21%5BEU%20flag.%20Co-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/22f03f6aee9b1ef445223fe02.jpg%29%0A%0A","/europe-in-action-2026","2026-01-28T14:40:55.000Z","2026-05-22T14:15:57.000Z",{"idx":2418,"title":2419,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2420,"picture":2421,"content_e2r":10,"content":2423,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2424,"created_at":2425,"modified_at":2426,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},252,"Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe rejects the draft Additional Protocol on involuntary measures in mental health. This reaffirms human rights as the foundation of public policy, writes Sandra Marques","Stop Ovieod, Council of Europe,mental health,deinstitutionalisation,forced treatment,healthcare,Sandra Marques",{"alt":132,"picture":2422},"https://str.inclusion.eu/ee42e18808a67bdd0f5d6c50b.png","%23%23%20Human%20rights%20are%20not%20optional.%20They%20are%20binding%20commitments.%0A%0AThe%20decision%20of%20the%20Parliamentary%20Assembly%20of%20the%20Council%20of%20Europe%20%5Bto%20reject%20the%20draft%20Additional%20Protocol%5D%28https%3A//pace.coe.int/en/news/10181%29%20on%20involuntary%20measures%20in%20mental%20health%20is%20more%20than%20just%20a%20procedural%20outcome.%20**It%20reaffirms%20human%20rights%20as%20the%20foundation%20of%20public%20policy.**%0A%0AFor%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20this%20decision%20confirms%20what%20has%20been%20consistently%20and%20clearly%20stated%20for%20years%3A%20this%20Protocol%20was%20not%20compatible%20with%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28CRPD%29.%0A%0AOur%20position%20and%20understanding%20of%20the%20topic%20is%20grounded%20in%20lived%20experience%2C%20international%20law%2C%20and%20democratic%20accountability.%0A%0A%23%23%20Stop%20Oviedo%20campaign%0A%0A%5BWe%20have%20been%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/letter-to-the-council-of-europe-withdraw-the-draft-additional-protocol-to-the-oviedo-convention/%29%20active%20in%20the%20%5BWithdraw%20Oviedo%20campaign%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.withdrawoviedo.info/join%29%20alongside%20%5BMental%20Health%20Europe%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.mentalhealtheurope.org/%29%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Disability%20Forum%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/%29%20and%20many%20other%20organisations%2C%20ensuring%20that%20the%20voices%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20were%20not%20ignored.%20%0A%0AFor%20example%20in%20Portugal%2C%20years%20ago%2C%20%5Bthe%20Me-CDPD%5D%28https%3A//me-cdpd.pt/%29%20%28National%20Mechanism%20for%20Monitoring%20the%20CRPD%29%20recommended%20that%20Portugal%20should%20not%20sign%20this%20Protocol.%20Precisely%20because%20it%20does%20not%20comply%20with%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28CRPD%29.%20%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/sZCa2_sMKW4%3Fsi%3DuHFLTEchNhaTZzg8%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%0A%23%23%20The%20CRPD%20is%20clear%0A%0ASystems%20built%20on%20coercion%2C%20substitute%20decision-making%2C%20and%20involuntary%20treatment%20are%20incompatible%20with%20a%20rights-based%20approach%20to%20mental%20health.%20%0A%0ANo%20%u201Csafeguards%u201D%20can%20compensate%20for%20a%20framework%20that%20starts%20from%20restriction%20rather%20than%20autonomy%2C%20dignity%2C%20and%20legal%20capacity.%0A%0APACE%u2019s%20decision%20yesterday%20sends%20
80a%20clear%20signal%3A%0A%0A*%20Disability%20rights%20are%20human%20rights%0A*%20International%20obligations%20must%20be%20respected%0A*%20Civil%20society%20expertise%20matters%0A%0A%23%23%20Europe%20must%20invest%20in%20voluntary%2C%20community-based%2C%20rights-respecting%20mental%20health%20support%0A%0AThis%20is%20not%20about%20ideology.%20It%20is%20about%20legal%20coherence%2C%20accountability%2C%20and%20respect%20for%20the%20voices%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%2C%20who%20have%20consistently%20warned%20against%20legitimising%20coercive%20practices%20under%20the%20banner%20of%20care.%0A%0AWe%20know%20the%20way%20forward%3A%20Europe%20must%20invest%20in%20voluntary%2C%20community-based%2C%20rights-respecting%20mental%20health%20support%20to%20ensure%20people%27s%20rights%20are%20fully%20respected.%0A%0AAnything%20less%20would%20be%20a%20step%20backwards.","/parliamentary-assembly-of-council-of-europe-rejects-the-draft-additional-protocol-on-involuntary-measures-in-mental-health","2026-01-29T11:48:18.000Z","2026-01-29T15:30:55.000Z",{"idx":2428,"title":2429,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2430,"picture":2431,"content_e2r":10,"content":2434,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2435,"created_at":2436,"modified_at":2437,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},253,"MEP's unacceptable comments on persons with disabilities","European Parliament, Cyprus,hate speech,discrimination",{"alt":2432,"picture":2433},"We strongly condemn MEP Panayiotouâs unacceptable comments on persons with disabilities","https://str.inclusion.eu/ee42e18808a67bdd0f5d6c509.png","We%20were%20dismayed%20to%20learn%20about%20MEP%20Panayiotou%u2019s%20%5Bdisparaging%20comments%5D%28https%3A//www.politico.eu/article/influencer-mep-fidias-panayiotou-slur-paralympians/%29%20towards%20persons%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20during%20his%20appearance%20on%20a%20podcast.%0A%0AIt%20is%20shocking%20and%20unacceptable.%0A%0AIt%20clearly%20shows%20MEP%20Panayiotou%u2019s%20ignorance%20about%20issues%20that%20affect%20over%2020%20million%20people%20%u2013%20including%20his%20constituents.%0A%0AWe%20strongly%20support%20the%20condemnation%20of%20the%20remarks%20by%20the%20Cyprus%20confederation%20of%20organisations%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities%20%28%5BKysoa%5D%28https%3A//cyprus-mail.com/2026/01/26/loonies-remark-unthinkable-from-an-mep%29%29%20and%20the%20words%20from%20the%20%5BCyprus%20National%20Paralympic%20Committee%5D%28https%3A//www.facebook.com/cyprusparalympic/posts/pfbid0ts2Q5jfeY6Naan5uNHJKnBLRPm3DPib1cCmV2GREmhhxy4EAjY6jbpDKfNPMhzo8l%29%3A%0A%0A%u201CThe%20use%20of%20such%20expressions%20can%20not%20be%20described%20as%20an%20%u201Cmissed%20moment%u201D%20
80or%20%u201Chumor%u201D.%20It%20is%20a%20crude%20insult%20to%20persons%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20to%20athletes%20who%20fight%20against%20prejudice%20and%20exclusion%20every%20day%2C%20but%20also%20to%20the%20Paralympic%20Movement%20itself%20that%20highlights%20the%20true%20meaning%20of%20strength%20and%20human%20effort.%u201D%0A%0AWe%20expect%20MEP%20Panayiotou%u2019s%20swift%20apologies.%20We%20call%20on%20him%20to%20promote%20respect%20and%20rights%20for%20persons%20with%20disabilities%2C%20instead%20of%20mocking%20us%20and%20perpetuating%20harm.%0A%0A%5BEuropean%20Disability%20Forum%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/we-strongly-condemn-mep-panayiotous-unacceptable-comments-on-persons-with-disabilities/%29%20and%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A","/mep-unacceptable-comments-on-persons-with-disabilities","2026-01-29T14:47:15.000Z","2026-01-29T14:47:24.000Z",{"idx":2439,"title":2440,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2441,"picture":2442,"content_e2r":10,"content":2444,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2445,"created_at":2446,"modified_at":2447,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},254,"Big NO to forced treatment. Supported decision-making. Education - Include News (January 2026)","Include News,Belgium, Czechia,France,Hungary,Italy,legal capacity,education,deinstitutionalisation,Milan Å veÅepa",{"alt":132,"picture":2443},"https://str.inclusion.eu/85ed4d167f8d92b2b91523604.png","Hello%20from%20everyone%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A%0AThis%20is%20Milan%2C%20writing%20you%20with%20Include%20News%20for%20January%202026%20-%20all%20kinds%20of%20developments%20relevant%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0A**I%20have%20to%20lead%20with%20Europe%20in%20Action.**%20The%2021st%20edition%20of%20our%20conference%20returns%20to%20Italy%20for%203%20days%20of%20learning%20and%20exchanging%20and%20recharging%20our%20collective%20batteries.%20First%20time%20around%2C%20in%202015%2C%20we%20were%20in%20Rome.%20Now%2C%20%5Bwe%u2019ll%20be%20in%20Vicenza%2025-27%20May%202026%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2026%29%20and%20I%20hope%20to%20see%20many%20of%20you%20there.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20BIG%20NEWS%20out%20of%20Strasbourg%3A%20%0A%0A**Parliamentary%20Assembly%20of%20Council%20of%20Europe%20rejects%20the%20draft%20Additional%20Protocol%20on%20involuntary%20measures%20in%20mental%20health.**%20For%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20%5Bthis%20decision%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/parliamentary-assembly-of-council-of-europe-rejects-the-draft-additional-protocol-on-involuntary-measures-in-mental-health%29%20confirms%20what%20has%20been%20consistently%20and%20clearly%20stated%20for%20years%3A%20this%20Protocol%20was%20not%20compatible%20with%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28CRPD%29.%0A%0A%0A**Cyprus%20EU%20presidency%20with%20focus%20on%20support%20to%20decision-making.**%20Cyprus%20holds%20the%20%5Bpresidency%5D%28https%3A//cyprus-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/%29%20of%20the%20Council%20of%20the%20European%20Union%20from%20January%20to%20June%20this%20year.%20As%20part%20of%20the%20presidency%2C%20Cyprus%20will%20organise%20%5Ba%20conference%5D%28https%3A//cyprus-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/events/high-level-conference-on-inclusion-of-persons-with-disabilities/%29%20about%20support%20to%20decision-making%2C%20early%20May.%20Cyprus%20%5Balso%20approved%5D%28https%3A//cyprus-faq.com/en/south/news/kabinet-utverdil-proekt-za-10-mln-po-integratsii-lyudei-s-invalidnostyu/%29%20new%20money%20and%20support%20measures%20in%20the%20country.%0A%0A**Unacceptable%20language%20about%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.**%20Member%20of%20the%20European%20Parliament%20from%20Cyprus%2C%20Fidias%20Panayiotou%2C%20used%20unacceptable%20words%20about%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20while%20talking%20about%20Paralympic%20Games%20on%20a%20podcast.%20The%20EDF%20and%20Inclusion%20Europe%20%5Bwant%20him%20to%20apologise.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/mep-unacceptable-comments-on-persons-with-disabilities%29%0A%0ASpeaking%20of%20bad%20words%2C%20NY%20Times%20has%20an%20interesting%20%5Barticle%5D%28https%3A//www.nytimes.c
80om/2026/01/26/us/r-word-slur-disability.html%3Funlocked%5C_article%5C_code%3D1.H1A.Dua9.mpnZXEczKLu5%26smid%3Dnytcore-ios-share%29%20about%20the%20%u201CR-word%u201D%20-%20why%20and%20how%20people%20campaigned%20to%20have%20it%20disappear%20from%20use%2C%20and%20why%20it%u2019s%20unfortunately%20back%20in%20use%20today.%0A%0A%23%23%20From%20around%20Europe%0A%AD%0A**Belgium%3A**%20Families%20are%20%5Bworried%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.lesoir.be/721719/article/2026-01-12/la-reforme-du-chomage-fait-trembler-les-aidants-proches%29%20and%20protesting%2C%20about%20the%20impact%20of%20changes%20to%20long-term%20unemployment%20benefits.%20Many%20parents%20of%20children%20with%20complex%20support%20needs%20have%20them%20as%20the%20only%20option%20to%20stay%20home%20and%20provide%20support%20when%20there%20aren%u2019t%20enough%20services%20available.%0A%0A**Czechia%3A**%20People%20and%20organisations%20around%20the%20country%20marked%20the%20death%20of%20Dorota%20%u0160andorov%E1%20on%206%20January%202021.%20In%20a%20vigil%20called%20%5B%u201CNight%20of%20Dignity%u201D%2C%5D%28https%3A//nocdustojnosti.cz/noc-dustojnosti-2026/%29%20representatives%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20and%20other%20organisations%20commemorate%20Dorota%2C%20who%20was%20%5Bmurdered%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/deaths-and-abuse-of-people-with-severe-intellectual-disabilities-and-autism-in-czechia-respekt-magazine-investigation/%29%20by%20staff%20member%20of%20an%20institution%20in%20which%20she%20lived.%0A%0A**France%3A**%20More%20children%20with%20disabilities%20are%20in%20mainstream%20schools%2C%20says%20%5Bthis%20article.%5D%28https%3A//www.francebleu.fr/infos/societe/les-enfants-en-situation-de-handicap-sont-de-plus-en-plus-scolarises-avec-les-autres-eleves-en-milieu-ordinaire-3344070%29%20More%20children%20with%20disabilities%20have%20no%20schooling%20education%20at%20all%2C%20says%20%5Bthis%20article.%5D%28https%3A//www.francebleu.fr/infos/education/rentree-2025-pres-de-50-000-eleves-en-situation-de-handicap-sans-solution-d-accompagnement-8482033%29%0A%0A**Hungary%3A**%20Budapest%20Environs%20Regional%20Court%20ruled%20that%20the%20guardianship%20authority%20acted%20unlawfully%20when%20it%20twice%20refused%20to%20allow%20%5BValidity%20Foundation%5D%28https%3A//validity.ngo/securing-the-right-to-counsel-overturning-guardianship-authority-restrictions/%29%20lawyers%20to%20meet%20with%20a%20person%20with%20a%20disability%20living%20in%20a%20closed%20residential%20institution.%20Serious%20concerns%20had%20been%20raised%20about%20possible%20sexual%20violence%20and%20other%20forms%20of%20abuse.%20The%20Court%20annulled%20both%20decisions%20of%20the%20Guardianship%20Authority%20as%20unlawful%2C%20emphasising%20that%20denying%20access%20to%20legal%20counsel%20in%20such%20circumstances%20violates%20fundamental%20rights.%0A%0A**Italy%3A**%20This%20isn%u2019t%20exactly%20last%20month%2C%20but%20I%20think%20it%u2019s%20still%20worth%20sharing.%20A%20little%20%5Binsight%5D%28https%3A//www.vita.it/tornare-alle-classi-speciali-sarebbe-un-fallimento/%29%20into%20a%20debate%20about%20inclusive%20education%20in%20Italy.%20Plus%2C%20a%20story%20about%20how%20it%20all%20%5Bstarted.%5D%28https%3A//www.vita.it/vanessa-incontrada-sara-mirella-casale-la-donna-che-invento-linclusione-scolastica/%29%20%0A%0A%23%23%20From%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A%0A%28Some%20of%29%20what%20%5Bour%20members%20do%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/members-work-2026-start%29%20to%20make%20the%20world%20a%20better%20place%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%0A%0A%5BMeeting%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/meeting-with-the-european-commission-to-discuss-issues-faced-by-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families%29%20with%20the%20European%20Commission%20to%20explain%20what%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20want%20from%20EU%20disability%20rights%20agenda.%0A%0A%5BReport%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/hear-our-voices%21-2025-final-report%29%20on%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%20self-advocacy%20events%20in%202025%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20and%20the%20European%20Down%20Syndrome%20Association%20are%20pleased%20to%20%5Bannounce%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-organisations-join-forces-for-better-participation-of-people-with-disabilities-in-eu-policy-making%29%20new%20collaboration%20to%20strengthen%20the%20representation%20and%20participation%20of%20people%20with%20Down%20syndrome%20in%20European%20policy-making.%0A%0AWhat%20the%20EU%27s%20new%20Affordable%20Housing%20Plan%20%5Bmeans%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/affordable-housing-plan-what-it-means-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families%29%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%0A%0A%5BNew%20video%3A%5D%28https%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DBMVNSa1dF6o%29%20Supported-decision%20making%3A%20What%20it%20is%20and%20why%20it%20is%20important.%0A%0A**Join%20our%20events%3A**%0A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80ype":29,"url":2487,"created_at":2488,"modified_at":2489,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},258,"New position of the EU Parliament on ending poverty","EU Parliament,European Parliament,Poverty,Anti-poverty,Freddy Jussien,education,employment",{"alt":2132,"picture":2485},"https://str.inclusion.eu/27794e7960e948feb51894002.png","%23%23%23%20No%20job%2C%20low%20income%2C%20inflation%3F%20Poverty.%0A%0AThis%20is%20the%20reality%20for%20many%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20Now%2C%20the%20EU%20Parliament%20adopted%20a%20good%20position%20on%20ending%20poverty.%28A%20position%20is%20a%20report%20showing%20what%20the%20European%20Parliament%20stands%20for.%29%0A%0A**This%20is%20a%20good%20sign%2C%20but%20is%20it%20enough%3F**%0A%20%0AMany%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%u2014%20and%20their%20families%20%u2014%20live%20with%20stress%20every%20day.%20Having%20to%20worry%20about%20how%20to%20reach%20the%20end%20of%20the%20month.%20%0A%0A-%20In%2022%20EU%20countries%2C%20few%20or%20no%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20have%20a%20job%20in%20the%20open%20labour%20market.%0A-%20Many%20are%20unemployed%20or%20do%20%u201Cwork-like%u201D%20activities%20and%20are%20paid%20less%20than%20the%20minimum%20wage.%0A-%20In%2016%20EU%20countries%2C%20they%20risk%20losing%20disability%20benefits%20if%20they%20find%20a%20job.%0A%20%20%0AThis%20is%20not%20acceptable.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20the%20EU%20Parliament%20asked%20for%3A%0A-%20A%20first%20****EU%20Anti-Poverty%20Strategy****%20to%20eradicate%20poverty%20by%202035%20at%20the%20latest.%0A-%20**Policies%20that%20promote%20quality%20jobs**%2C%20strong%20social%20protection%20and%20access%20to%20services.%20It%20clearly%20says%20that%20segregation%20in%20education%20leads%20to%20social%20exclusion.%0A-%20Ensuring%20**housing%2C%20good%20support%20and%20affordable%20services**%20for%20all.%20%0AIt%20recognises%20that%20housing%20supports%20deinstitutionalisation%20and%20prevents%20institutionalisation%20caused%20by%20poverty%20or%20lack%20of%20support.%0A-%20Strong%20action%20to%20**end%20child%20poverty**%2C%20backed%20by%2020%20billion%20euros.%20It%20calls%20on%20countries%20to%20guarantee%20every%20child%20the%20right%20to%20grow%20up%20in%20a%20family.%20**Institutionalisation%20must%20not%20be%20an%20option.**%0A%20%20%0A%uD83D%uDC49%20See%20the%20%5Breaction%20of%20the%20Alliance%20for%20Investing%20in%20Children%5D%28https%3A//alliance4investinginchildren.eu/european-parliament-backs-real-investment-to-end-child-povertynow-the-eu-must-deliver/%29%0A%0A%20%0A**Only%20strong%20action%20will%20reduce%20poverty.**%20%0AAction%20backed%20by%20money.%20%0AAction%20followed%20by%20EU%20governments.%20%0ANot%20just%20words.%20%0A%0A%uD83D%uDC49%20See%20the%20%5Breaction%20of%20the%20EU%20Anti-Poverty%20Network%5D%28https%3A//www.eapn.eu/elementor-54242/%29%0A%0A%0ANow%20the%20European%20Commission%20and%20EU%20governments%20must%20take%20this%20seriously.%20%0AThey%20must%20act.%20%0AThey%20must%20work%20together.%20%0AThey%20must%20invest%20real%20money%20to%20end%20poverty%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20%0A%0AAnd%20the%20EU%20Parliament%20must%20continue%20pushing.%20%0AWe%20need%20EU%20laws%20that%20guarantee%20enough%20income%20to%20live%20a%20decent%20life.%20%0AFor%20example%2C%20rules%20that%20ensure%20everyone%20has%20a%20minimum%20income.%20%0APoverty%20is%20real.%20%0A%0A**Decent%20living%20cannot%20wait.**%0A","/new-position-of-the-eu-parliament-on-ending-poverty","2026-02-23T13:57:00.000Z","2026-02-23T14:31:59.000Z",{"idx":2491,"title":2492,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2493,"picture":2494,"content_e2r":10,"content":2497,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2498,"created_at":2499,"modified_at":2500,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},259,"Impact magazine about plain language and accessible information: \"Essential for belonging and participating in the community\" ","easy to read,Milan Å veÅepa,Soufiane El Amrani",{"alt":2495,"picture":2496},"Impact - Plan language. We want to understand the world we live in.","https://str.inclusion.eu/b88d01e612d5697b7783e5000.png","**Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa**%20and%20**Soufiane%20El%20Amrani**%20wrote%20an%20article%20about%20easy-to-read%20for%20%5BImpact%5D%28https%3A//ici.umn.edu/series/14%29%20magazine.%20The%20magazine%20is%20published%20by%20the%20Institute%20on%20Community%20Integration%2C%20University%20
80of%20Minnesota%2C%20USA.%0A%0AThis%20issue%20of%20Impact%20is%20about%20plain%20language.%20You%20can%20%5Bread%20it%20here.%5D%28https%3A//ici.umn.edu/products/P2EtFxHmRV6Nm57oHuKq0g%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Summary%20of%20the%20article%20Milan%20and%20Soufiane%20wrote%0A%0AThe%20United%20Nations%20has%20an%20agreement%20called%20the%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities.%20It%20says%20that%20people%20have%20the%20right%20to%20information%20that%20is%20%5Beasy%20to%20understand.%5D%28/easy-to-read%29%20%0A%0AAccessible%20information%20has%20improved%20over%20the%20last%2020%20years.%20Governments%20and%20organizations%20now%20use%20easy-to-read%20formats.%20%0A%0ASome%20organizations%20are%20using%20artificial%20intelligence%20to%20create%20documents%20that%20are%20written%20in%20plain%20language%2C%20but%20they%20don%u2019t%20always%20make%20sense.%20%0A%0ADone%20right%2C%20plain%20language%20helps%20people%20find%20jobs%2C%20know%20their%20rights%2C%20and%20live%20where%20and%20how%20they%20want%20to%20live.%0A%0A**Read%20their%20article%20here%3A**%20%5BWe%20want%20to%20understand%20the%20world%20we%20live%20in%5D%28https%3A//publications.ici.umn.edu/impact/38-3/we-want-to-understand-the-world-we-live-in-by-milan-ve-epa-and-soufiane-el-amrani%3Fj%3D13883554%26sfmc_sub%3D753688442%26l%3D89627_HTML%26u%3D282045537%26mid%3D6379454%26jb%3D0%29","/impact-magazine-about-plain-language-and-accessible-information","2026-02-24T22:19:31.000Z","2026-03-10T17:50:41.000Z",{"idx":2502,"title":2503,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2504,"picture":2505,"content_e2r":10,"content":2508,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2509,"created_at":2510,"modified_at":2511,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},260,"How can you use Inclusion Indicators, or help us improve them?","Inclusion Indicators,Inge Volleberg",{"alt":2506,"picture":2507},"Blog by Inge Volleberg","https://str.inclusion.eu/fb8f007f5e433dc4a159ac201.jpg","Inge%20Volleberg%20writes%20after%20speaking%20at%20an%20online%20event%20organised%20as%20part%20of%20the%20%5BUnity%20project%3A%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/unity%29%0A%0AWe%20had%20a%20discussion%20on%20how%20people%20can%20use%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20or%20how%20they%20can%20help%20improve%20them.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83D%uDC69%uD83C%uDFFB%u200D%uD83C%uDFEB%20Use%20the%20indicators%20to%20inform%20yourself%20and%20others.%20%0A%0AA%20lot%20of%20the%20struggles%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20are%20invisible%20to%20most%20people.%20The%20indicators%20help%20to%20make%20them%20visible.%20%0A%0A%5BThe%20report%20itself%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2025-key-findings%29%20is%20the%20best%20resource%2C%20of%20course%2C%20but%20we%20also%20have%20an%20%5Binteractive%20table%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20on%20the%20website%20with%20all%20the%20scores%2C%20and%20we%20have%20%5BEurope%20for%20Us%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-inclusion-indicators-2025%29%20magazine%20that%20provides%20easy-to-read%20information%20on%20the%20indicators.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83D%uDDE3%uFE0F%20Go%20to%20your%20%28local%29%20government%2C%20show%20them%20the%20report%2C%20and%20demand%20change.%20%0A%0AThe%20country%20scores%20should%20help%20with%20this%2C%20because%20it%20makes%20it%20easy%20to%20compare%20countries.%20%0A%0AThis%20way%20you%20can%20show%3A%20%27it%20is%20possible%2C%20they%20are%20already%20doing%20it%20in%20this%20country.%27%20%0A%0AOr%20you%20can%20say%3A%20%27Our%20neighbours%20are%20doing%20better%20on%20this%20than%20we%20are%2C%20when%20are%20we%20going%20to%20improve%3F%27%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83D%uDCC8%20The%20indicators%20rely%20on%20national%20data.%20%0A%0AWe%20created%20the%20indicators%20because%20there%20was%20little%20to%20no%20data%20on%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20but%20we%20are%20still%20dependent%20on%20the%20data%20that%20is%20available%20on%20national%20level.%20%0A%0ASo%2C%20if%20you%20have%20access%20to%20data%2C%20please%20share%20it%20with%20us%21%20With%20more%20data%2C%20we%20can%20improve%20the%20indicators.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83D%uDD0E%20When%20speaking%20with%20%28local%29%20governments%2C%20ask%20them%20to%20collect%20more%20and%20better%20data%20on%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0AData%20on%20disability%20is%20often%20not%20disaggregated%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20This%20way%2C%20specific%20problems%20stay%20invisible.%20%0A%0AFor%20example%2C%20the%20employment%20rate%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20in%2050%25%2C%20which%20is%20already%20problematic.%20But%20according%20to%20our%20data%2C%20the%20employment%20rate%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20is%20less%20than%2010%25.%20%0A%0AAn%20issue%20all%20by%20itself%20which%20%5Bdemands%20its%20own%20attention%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/examples-and-ideas-for-employment-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities%29%20which%20it%20won%27t%20get%20without%20specific%20data%20onpeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.","/how-can-you-use-inclusion-indicators-or-help-us-improve-them","2026-02-24T22:33:51.000Z","2026-02-24T22:35:19.000Z",{"idx":2513,"title":2514,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2515,"picture":2516,"content_e2r":10,"content":2519,"excerpt":2520,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":2521,"created_at":2522,"modified_at":2523,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},261,"What can we do other than be ourselves","Belonging with Inclusion Europe,Milan Å veÅepa, Czechia",{"alt":2517,"picture":2518},"Belonging with Inclusion Europe ","https://str.inclusion.eu/fb8f007f5e433dc4a159ac202.png","What%20can%20we%20do%20when%20authorities%20refuse%20to%20take%20the%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20seriously%3F%20When%20they%20refuse%20to%20listen%2C%20and%20to%20respond%3F%20When%20they%20don%27t%20want%20to%20make%20the%20necessary%20changes%20to%20laws%20or%20to%20provide%20essential%20services%3F%0A%0AWhat%20can%20we%20do%20other%20than%20**be%20ourselves.**%0A%20%0ABe%20who%20we%20are%20-%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%3B%20parents%2C%20siblings%20and%20all%20other%20members%20of%20families%20who%20care%20and%20support.%0APeople%20who%20want%20a%20decent%20life%20for%20their%20children%20and%20for%20themselves.%20People%20who%20want%20a%20today%20that%20does%20not%20exhaust%20them%20and%20a%20tomorrow%20they%20don%27t%20have%20to%20fear.%0A%0AThis%20movement%20is%20made%20of%20people%2C%20for%20people.%20That%27s%20who%20we%20are.%0AIt%27s%20hard%20to%20resist%20the%20pressure%20to%20appear%20as%20someone%20else%20-%20to%20use%20legal%20words%20and%20speak%20like%20a%20service%20provider%20or%20a%20bureaucrat.%20That%20pressure%20is%20everywhere%2C%20in%20every%20meeting%20room%20and%20policy-paper.%20Unless%20you%20speak%20their%20language%2C%20they%20won%27t%20take%20you%20seriously.%0A%0ABut%20do%20they%20take%20you%20seriously%20when%20you%20do%20use%20their%20language%3F%20%0AI%20don%27t%20think%20so.%0A%0AThe%20only%20effect%20is%20we%20lose%20the%20power%20of%20our%20words%2C%20our%20message%2C%20our%20demands.%20We%20lose%20who%20we%20are%20and%20who%20we%20represent.%0A%0ALanguage%20is%20power%2C%20as%20many%20like%20to%20say.%20%0ALet%27s%20use%20ours.%20Let%27s%20use%20our%20normal%2C%20every-day%20language%20to%20keep%20telling%20everyone%20what%20the%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20is.%0ALet%27s%20tell%20in%20a%20way%20anyone%20can%20understand%20and%20relate%20to.%20Because%20**our%20message%20is%20human%20and%20universal%20-%20we%20want%20a%20decent%20life%20and%20a%20good%20future.**%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Hi%20there.%0A%0AI%27m%20writing%20this%20from%20Prague%2C%20Czechia%2C%20on%20the%20last%20day%20of%20my%20trip%20here%20to%20meet%20parents%20and%20siblings%20and%20people%20with%20disabilities%20and%20to%20talk%20about%20what%20can%20be%20done%20to%20improve%20their%20situation.%0A%0AThe%20power%20of%20language%2C%20the%20necessity%20of%20resisting%20the%20pressures%20to%20change%20who%20we%20are%20-%20the%20things%20I%20write%20above%20-%20appeared%20to%20be%20the%20main%20theme%20of%20my%20days%20here.%0A%0AI%27d%20like%20to%20thank%20Inclusion%20Czechia%20for%20helping%20us%20organise%20these%20meetings.%20Couple%20of%20weeks%20ago%2C%20Sandra%20Marques%20organised%20with%20Fenacerci%20similar%20debates%20in%20Lisbon%2C%20Portugal.%20They%20talked%20more%20about%20elections%20and%20politics.%20It%27s%20all%20part%20of%20our%20%5BUnity%20project%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/unity%29%20working%20to%20improve%20participation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20public%20life.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Working%20together.%0A%0ABig%20part%20of%20my%20job%20is%20always%20thinking%20about%20how%20can%20we%20do%20better%20as%20a%20movement.%20What%20works%20and%20what%20doesn%27t%3F%20How%20did%20we%20achieve%20change%2C%20and%20are%20we%20doing%20things%20right%20when%20change%20isn%27t%20coming%3F%0A%0AThis%20will%20be%20a%20big%20part%20of%20%5BEurope%20in%20Action%20conference%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2026%29%20in%20Vicenza%2C%20Italy.%0A%0AI%20was%20in%20Rome%20to%20work%20on%20the%20conference%20with%20the%20great%20people%20of%20Anffas%20two%20weeks%20ago.%0AWe%20spent%20two%20days%20designing%20the%20program%20of%20Europe%20in%20Action%20conference%3A%0A%0A%uD83C%uDDEE%uD83C%uDDF9%20Discussing%20what%20matters%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20in%20Italy%3A%0A-%20the%20reforms%20that%20are%20being%20done%0A-%20what%20Italian%20organisations%20do%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion%0A-%20the%20challenges%20they%20face%0A%0A%uD83C%uDDEA%uD83C%uDDFA%20Looking%2
800into%20what%20may%20be%20relevant%20from%20other%20countries%2C%20which%20programs%20and%20activities%20should%20be%20part%20of%20the%20conversation.%0A%0ABut%20most%20importantly%3A%20Figuring%20out%20how%20to%20use%20the%20examples%20and%20insights%20and%20expertise%20that%20will%20be%20there.%0A-%20How%20do%20we%20involve%20as%20many%20people%20as%20possible%2C%20and%20give%20everyone%20a%20good%20opportunity%20to%20contribute%3F%0A-%20How%20do%20we%20make%20sure%20the%20conference%20lives%20on%20beyond%20the%20three%20days%20in%20Vicenza%3F%0A%0Af%20you%20haven%27t%20registered%20yet%2C%20%5Bdo%20it%20now.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2026%29%20Places%20are%20limited%20and%20disappearing.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20There%27s%20always%20more%0A%0A**Young%20families%20report.**%20We%27ve%20been%20talking%20with%20parents%20and%20siblings%20of%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20We%20are%20now%20putting%20together%20a%20report%20that%20will%20tell%20their%20stories%2C%20views%2C%20and%20what%20change%20needs%20to%20happen%20in%20different%20policies.%20The%20report%20will%20be%20out%20in%20March.%0A%0A**Supported%20decision-making%20report**%20brings%20examples%20from%20different%20countries%20and%20organisations.%20We%27ll%20share%20it%20soon%2C%20and%20it%20will%20come%20in%20handy%20for%20several%20countries%20that%20are%20working%20on%20reforms.%20There%20will%20also%20be%20a%20big%20conference%20organised%20by%20Cyprus%20in%20May.%0A%0A**Poverty.**%20The%20European%20Parliament%20approved%20a%20report%20which%20will%20inform%20upcoming%20EU%20anti-poverty%20strategy.%20Freddy%20has%20a%20%5Bwrite-up.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/new-position-of-the-eu-parliament-on-ending-poverty%29%0A%0AAnd%20yes%2C%20there%27s%20always%20more%2C%20so%20make%20sure%20to%20follow%20our%20%5Bchannels%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/contact%29%20and%20let%20us%20know%20if%20we%20miss%20anything.%0A%0AGet%20the%20next%20%5BBelonging%20with%20Inclusion%20Europe%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Belonging%2520with%2520Inclusion%2520Europe%29%20newsletter%20in%20your%20inbox%3A%20%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22540%22%20height%3D%22305%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//e34b73c4.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAPeYIJXnCbAaQBM0pCg9dz7zdlbkMNuq3wk7Bvinx-NX7UAwhWdVjUJWHLmBmPpa_vstWFrDuyn3cAD4bNP2BWqSnWma_de_2ke-nUot7Q-ttfpn4AjqA6Cg4pVRNdMyc0s5LDyO5U6FouJpYnPAs5bjOrrI10Z-Z3pDltNPRA9wK5wN3cYDCYDgdoZTCLcNyYuR4YtECp4I%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20scrolling%3D%22auto%22%20allowfullscreen%20style%3D%22display%3A%20block%3Bmargin-left%3A%20auto%3Bmargin-right%3A%20auto%3Bmax-width%3A%20100%25%3B%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E","Milan Å veÅepa writes in our latest Belonging with Inclusion Europe newsletter.","/what-can-we-do-other-than-be-ourselves","2026-02-24T22:53:20.000Z","2026-03-04T09:31:36.000Z",{"idx":2525,"title":2526,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2527,"picture":2528,"content_e2r":10,"content":2531,"excerpt":2532,"default_type":29,"url":2533,"created_at":2534,"modified_at":2535,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},262,"Have you ever tried to vote with your hands in your pockets?","right to vote,UNITY project,Sandra Marques,Portugal",{"alt":2529,"picture":2530},"Blog by Sandra Marques","https://str.inclusion.eu/fb8f007f5e433dc4a159ac204.png","During%20the%20%5BUnity%20event%5D%28/unity%29%20in%20Portugal%2C%20a%20group%20of%20us%20experienced%20something%20that%20should%20feel%20absurd%20%u2014%20but%20isn%u2019t%2C%20for%20many%20people.%0A%0AMore%20questions%20followed%3A%0A%0A*%20If%20you%20can%u2019t%20vote%20independently%2C%20do%20you%20have%20someone%20you%20trust%20to%20do%20it%20for%20you%3F%0A*%20And%20if%20you%20are%20blind%20%u2014%20how%20can%20you%20be%20sure%20that%20person%20truly%20respected%20your%20will%3F%0A%0A%23%23%20This%20is%20not%20a%20theoretical%20exercise.%20%0A%0AThese%20are%20real%20barriers%20that%20people%20face%20when%20trying%20to%20exercise%20a%20fundamental%20right%3A%20participation%20in%20political%20life.%0A%0AAnd%20guess%20what%3A%0A%0A*%20When%20someone%20else%20casts%20your%20vote%2C%20%5Bvoting%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/voting-rights%29%20is%20no%20longer%20personal.%0A*%20When%20someone%20else%20sees%20your%20choice%2C%20voting%20is%20no%20longer%20secret.%0A%0ADuring%20the%20event%2C%20S%F3nia%20Esperto%2C%20President%20of%20the%20National%20Institute%20for%20Rehabilitation%2C%20talked%20about%20inclusive%20society%20where%20every%20citizen%20can%20understand%20the%20electoral%20process%2C%20access%20political%20ideas%2C%20and%20vote%20autonomously%20and%20in%20secrecy.%0A%0ANot%20%u201Cwith%20help.%u201D%0ANot%20%u201Cif%20possible.%u201D%0A%0AAutonomously.
80%20Secretly.%20As%20a%20right.%0A%0AShe%20also%20reminded%20us%20of%20something%20equally%20important%3A%20this%20won%u2019t%20happen%20by%20accident.%20Each%20of%20us%20has%20a%20responsibility%20to%20speak%20up%2C%20to%20challenge%20existing%20barriers%2C%20and%20to%20demand%20better%20systems.%0A%0A%21%5BEvent%20participants%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/fb8f007f5e433dc4a159ac203.png%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Then%20came%20the%20moment%20that%20changed%20the%20room.%0A%0AParticipants%20voted%20using%20an%20inclusive%20solution%20that%20made%20autonomy%20and%20secrecy%20possible%20for%20everyone%2C%20regardless%20of%20support%20needs.%0AHands%20in%20pockets.%0AEyes%20closed.%0ANot%20being%20able%20to%20read%20or%20write.%0A%0ANothing%20symbolic%20about%20it.%20Just%20proof%20that%20the%20**barriers%20we%20accept%20as%20%u201Cnormal%u201D%20are%2C%20in%20fact%2C%20design%20choices.**%0A","We just did, Sandra Marques writes about our recent event in Lisbon.","/have-you-ever-tried-to-vote-with-your-hands-in-pockets","2026-02-24T23:04:10.000Z","2026-02-24T23:04:32.000Z",{"idx":2537,"title":2538,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2539,"picture":2540,"content_e2r":10,"content":2542,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2543,"created_at":2544,"modified_at":2545,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},263,"The EU means having human rights protected - make sure it's the case for people with intellectual disabilities","EU enlargement, European Commission, European Union,Freddy Jussien",{"alt":2132,"picture":2541},"https://str.inclusion.eu/fb8f007f5e433dc4a159ac205.png","Yesterday%2C%20we%20discussed%20inclusion%20with%20Commissioner%20Marta%20Kos%27s%20assistants%2C%20writes%20**Freddy%20Jussien.**%0A%0AIt%20was%20a%20good%20meeting.%20The%20EU%20Commission%20is%20committed%20to%20making%20disability%20rights%20a%20priority%20in%20the%20EU%20%5Benlargement%20process.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/briefing-on-eu-accession%29%20%uD83D%uDC4F%20%0A%0ABut%20there%20is%20a%20lot%20of%20work%20to%20do%20for%20rights%20and%20inclusion.%0A%0AWe%20shared%20how%20we%20think%20EU%20can%20support%20change%20in%20candidate%20countries%3A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83D%uDDE3%uFE0F%20Give%20people%20their%20voice%20back.%0A%0ACountries%20must%20abolish%20guardianship%20laws%2C%20invest%20in%20supported%20decision-making.%0AIn%20Albania%20%uD83C%uDDE6%uD83C%uDDF1%2C%20people%20can%20still%20be%20fully%20deprived%20of%20their%20legal%20capacity.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83D%uDEAB%20Close%20institutions.%0A%0AReforms%20must%20only%20support%20inclusion%2C%20never%20segregation.%0AUkraine%20%uD83C%uDDFA%uD83C%uDDE6%20and%20Moldova%20%uD83C%uDDF2%uD83C%uDDE9%20have%20plans.%20Now%20we%20need%20to%20see%20real%20results.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83C%uDFE1%20Real%20homes%20and%20good%20support.%0A%0AWe%20need%20housing%20with%20support%20in%20the%20community.%0AIn%20North%20Macedonia%20%uD83C%uDDF2%uD83C%uDDF0%2C%20new%20small%20group%20homes%20are%20being%20built.%20But%20often%2C%20they%20are%20still%20managed%20like%20institutions.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83D%uDC69%u200D%uD83C%uDFEB%20Open%20schools%20to%20all%20children.%0A%0AInclusive%20education%20needs%20resources.%0AIn%20Georgia%20%uD83C%uDDEC%uD83C%uDDEA%2C%20the%20Inclusive%20Education%20department%20just%20closed.%20Such%20a%20pity.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83D%uDC77%u200D%u2640%uFE0F%20Quality%20jobs%0A%0ACountries%20must%20ensure%20real%20jobs%2C%20real%20pay%2C%20and%20ways%20the%20open%20labor%20market.%0AIn%20Moldova%20%uD83C%uDDF2%uD83C%uDDE9%2C%20few%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20have%20a%20job%20in%20the%20open%20labour%20market.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83D%uDEAB%20Ban%20forced%20medical%20treatment.%0A%0AThis%20includes%20banning%20forced%20sterilization%20and%20invest%20in%20sexual%20education.%20%0AIn%20Albania%20%uD83C%uDDE6%uD83C%uDDF1%2C%20reproductive%20health%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20is%20a%20%u2018taboo%u2019.%20%0A%0A%uD83D%uDC42%20Listen%20to%20the%20voice%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20EU%20accession%20talks.%0A%0A","/the-eu-means-having-human-rights-protected","202
806-02-24T23:12:15.000Z","2026-02-24T23:12:24.000Z",{"idx":2547,"title":2548,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2549,"picture":2550,"content_e2r":10,"content":2552,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2553,"created_at":2554,"modified_at":2555,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},264,"Supported decision-making ","supported decision-making,legal capacity,right to vote,right to decide,support services,support",{"alt":132,"picture":2551},"https://str.inclusion.eu/f9fe63248b0720e2526752102.png","Many%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20deprived%20of%20their%20legal%20capacity%20and%20put%20under%20guardianship.%20%0A%0AWithout%20legal%20capacity%2C%20it%20is%20not%20possible%20to%20make%20decisions%20in%20many%20areas%20of%20life%2C%20such%20as%20political%20participation%2C%20finance%2C%20access%20to%20justice%20and%20health.%20%0A%0ASupported%20decision-making%20is%20the%20solution%20to%20making%20sure%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20can%20enjoy%20all%20their%20rights.%0A%0AThis%20report%20shows%3A%0A-%20What%20it%20means%20to%20have%20support%20in%20making%20decisions%0A-%20What%20countries%20are%20leading%20the%20way%0A-%20What%20challenges%20they%20face%20in%20their%20reforms%0A-%2019%20examples%20of%20supported-decision%20making%20in%20practice%0A%0A%0A%5BSupported%20decision%20making%20report%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/2859a6718cc26425783de8f00.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0A**Learn%20more%3A**%0A%0A*%20Situation%20of%20right%20to%20decide%20in%2033%20countries%3A%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%0A*%20%5BRight%20to%20decide%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%0A%0A**Watch%3A%20Why%20support%20in%20decision-making%20matters%3A**%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/BMVNSa1dF6o%3Fsi%3DKNz5jEwK9Zy8d19A%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A","/supported-decision-making","2026-02-26T17:34:50.000Z","2026-02-26T22:34:43.000Z",{"idx":2557,"title":2558,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2559,"picture":2560,"content_e2r":10,"content":2562,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2563,"created_at":2564,"modified_at":2565,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},265,"EU budget, missing MEPs, supported decision-making... Include News for February 2026","Include News, EU budget,European Parliament",{"alt":311,"picture":2561},"https://str.inclusion.eu/85ed4d167f8d92b2b91523605.png","Hello%20from%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0AWe%20are%20sending%20you%20another%20round%20of%20%5BInclude%20News%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Include%2520News%29%20this%20time%20covering%20what%20caught%20our%20attention%20this%20February.%0AHere%27s%20hoping%20you%20enjoy%20this%20latest%20summary%20of%20news%20and%20developments%20about%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20European%20Union%20budget%0A%0AEuropean%20Disability%20Forum%20warns%3A%20next%20EU%20Budget%20%5Brisks%20excluding%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/european-disability-movement-warns-eu-vice-president-for-cohesion-and-reforms-next-eu-budget-risks-excluding-persons-with-disabilities/%29%20persons%20with%20disabilities.%0A%0A*%20Removed%20safeguards%2C%20including%20the%20obligation%20to%20comply%20with%20the%20UN%20CRPD%0A*%20Lack%20of%20dedicated%20funding%20for%20social%20inclusion%20in%20the%20next%20EU%20Budget.%0A%0A%5BHere%27s%20our%20explanation%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/next-eu-budget-proposal-what-does-it-mean-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities%29%20of%20what%20the%20proposal%20means%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20And%20%5Bhere%27s%20even%20more%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/analysis-of-social-inclusion-investment-in-proposed-eu-budget%29%20detailed%20analysis.%0A%0AIt%27s%20a%20good%20time%20to%20talk%20to%20EU%20countries%27%20governments%20and%20tell%2
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80achieve%20common%20goals.%20%0A%0A%5BThis%20new%20position%5D%28https%3A//oeil.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/en/procedure-file%3Freference%3D2025/2183%28INI%29%29%20of%20the%20European%20Parliament%20is%20important%20because%20it%20is%20on%20what%20the%20EU%20should%20monitor%20and%20recommend%20on%20employment%20and%20social%20priorities.%20%0A%0ARegarding%20employment%2C%20the%20European%20Parliament%20asks%20the%20European%20Commission%20to%3A%20%20%0A%0A*%20%u201Caddress%20the%20disability%20%5Bemployment%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/employment-and-social-inclusion%29%20gap%20through%20the%20European%20Semester%2C%20including%20in%20the%20country-specific%20recommendations%u201D%2C%0A%20%20%0A*%20%u201Cupdate%20the%20%5BEU%20strategy%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Disability%2520Rights%2520Strategy%29%20for%20the%20rights%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%202021-2030%20in%20line%20with%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%2C%20with%20new%20flagship%20initiatives%2C%20including%20a%20European%20disability%20employment%20and%20skills%20guarantee%u201D.%20%20%0A%0AThe%20European%20employment%20and%20skills%20Guarantee%20is%20an%20
80ask%20from%20the%20European%20Disability%20Forum.%20%0A%0AOn%20deinstitutionalisation%2C%20the%20European%20Parliament%20asks%20the%20Commission%20to%3A%20%0A%0A*%20%u201Cput%20forward%20an%20action%20plan%20on%20deinstitutionalisation%20covering%20all%20groups%20still%20living%20in%20institutions%2C%20including%20children%2C%20persons%20with%20disabilities%2C%20people%20with%20mental%20health%20issues%20and%20people%20experiencing%20homelessness%u201D.%0A%0A*%20monitor%20progress%20on%20%5Bdeinstitutionalisation%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/deinstitutionalisation%29%20through%20the%20EU%20Semester%20%0A%0AIt%20also%20%20asks%20EU%20countries%20to%20%u201Cmake%20full%20use%20of%20ESF+%20and%20other%20EU%20and%20national%20funds%20to%20finalise%20this%20process%2C%20develop%20community-based%20services%20and%20invest%20in%20prevention.%u201D%20%0A%0A%0ASee%20also%3A%20%5BThe%20European%20Parliament%20debates%20accessibility%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/accessibility-debate-in-european-parliament%29%0A","/housing-eu-semester-european-parliament","2026-03-26T15:32:38.000Z","2026-03-26T15:34:07.000Z",{"idx":2702,"title":2703,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2704,"picture":2705,"content_e2r":10,"content":2707,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2708,"created_at":2709,"modified_at":2710,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},280,"A sign of things to come - 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80ype":29,"url":2718,"created_at":2719,"modified_at":2720,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},281,"Not only are many people with intellectual disabilities lonely, but their parents and siblings are lonely too.","loneliness,Inge Volleberg,European Parliament,employment,education,right to decide,young families",{"alt":2506,"picture":2716},"https://str.inclusion.eu/0c29d576f35f1ca4d9b457800.jpg","Inge%20Volleberg%20spoke%20at%20an%20event%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%20on%2025%20March%202026.%20The%20event%20was%20organised%20to%20celebrate%20the%20World%20Down%20Syndrome%20Day.%20The%20event%20was%20about%20loneliness.%20Inge%20spoke%20alongside%20her%20sister%20Esther%2C%20who%20talked%20about%20her%20views%20and%20experiences.%0A%0AThis%20is%20what%20Inge%20wrote%20after%20the%20event%3A%0A%0AFollowing%20%5BEsther%27s%20speech%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/we-all-feel-lonely-from-time-to-time-but-people-with-down-more-often%29%20sharing%20her%20personal%20views%2C%20I%20linked%20the%20issues%20to%20our%20work%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20specifically%20to%20the%20Inclusion%20Indicators%20and%20to%20our%20upcoming%20publications%20on%20the%20reality%20of%20young%20families.%0A%0AI%20think%20all%20of%20the%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20are%20relevant%20to%20the%20topic%20of%20loneliness%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20But%20I%20decided%20to%20focus%20on%20three%20that%20were%20mentioned%20by%20Esther%3A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83D%uDDE3%uFE0F%20Right%20to%20decide%0A%0AEsther%20is%20not%20the%20only%20one%20who%20cannot%20always%20make%20her%20own%20decisions.%20%0A%0A29%20European%20countries%20still%20allow%20the%20%28partial%29%20removal%20of%20%5Blegal%20capacity.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%20%0A%0AOnly%204%20countries%20fully%20respect%20the%20right%20to%20decide.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83C%uDF92%20Education%0A%0AThere%20are%20still%20many%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20segregated%20in%20special%20education%20schools%2C%20specifically%20in%20Belgium%20and%20the%20Netherlands.%20%0A%0A%5BInclusive%20schools%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusive-education%29%20offer%20the%20support%20each%20student%20needs%2C%20and%20create%20an%20environment%20that%20welcomes%20and%20includes%20everyone%20despite%20their%20differences.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%u2615%20Employment%0A%0AEsther%20shared%20that%20she%20does%20not%20get%20paid%20for%20the%20work%20she%20does%20in%20a%20restaurant.%20%0A%0ALess%20than%2010%25%20of%20the%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20have%20a%20job%20on%20the%20open%20labour%20market%20and%20get%20paid%20a%20fair%20wage.%0A%0A%23%23%20Young%20families%0A%0AOn%20the%20young%20families%20project%2C%20I%20added%20that%20not%20only%20are%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20lonely%2C%20but%20their%20parents%20and%20siblings%20are%20lonely%20too.%0A%0A%uD83D%uDC68%u200D%uD83D%uDC69%u200D%uD83D%uDC67%u200D%uD83D%uDC66%20Parents%20experience%20mental%20health%20issues%20and%20social%20exclusion.%20They%20are%20all%20of%20a%20sudden%20dropped%20into%20this%20new%20reality%20of%20disability%20and%20obstacles.%20Their%20to-do%20list%20gets%20longer%20and%20longer%2C%20while%20their%20world%20gets%20smaller%20and%20smaller.%0A%0A%uD83D%uDC69%u200D%u2764%uFE0F%u200D%uD83D%uDC69%20Siblings%20get%20less%20attention%20and%20time%20from%20their%20parents%2C%20and%20often%20have%20extra%20responsibilities.%20But%20above%20all%2C%20they%20make%20themselves%20smaller%20and%20smaller%20and%20try%20to%20deal%20with%20everything%20by%20themselves%2C%20which%20they%20cannot%2C%20they%20should%20not%20have%20to%2C%20they%20are%20children.%0A%0AThere%20is%20still%20a%20lot%20left%20to%20do%20to%20fight%20loneliness%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20family%20members.%0A%0ARead%20more%3A%0A%0A*%20%5BEsther%20Volleberg%27s%20speech%20at%20the%20event%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/we-all-feel-lonely-from-time-to-time-but-people-with-down-more-often%29%0A*%20%5BThis%20is%20no%20way%20to%20treat%20people%20and%20respect%20their%20dignity%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/this-is-no-way-to-treat-people-and-respect-their-dignity%29","/not-only-are-many-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-lonely-but-their-parents-and-siblings-are-lonely-too","2026-03-30T17:01:45.000Z","2026-04-01T12:17:01.000Z",{"idx":2722,"title":2723,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2724,"picture":2725,"content_e2r":10,"content":2726,"excerpt":10,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":2727,"created_at":2728,"modified_at":2729,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},282,"EU must protect person's right to decide and their privacy - Position about a proposed law on guardianship","legal capacity,supported decision-making, European Commission,European Parliament,Council of the EU,guardianship",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"The%20EU%20is%20working%20on%20a%20new%20law%2C%20which%20would%20help%20countries%20cooperate%20when%20adults%20were%20placed%20under%20guardinaship%20in%20one%20country%20and%20then%20moved%20to%20live%20in%20another%20country.%20The%20idea%20for%20the%20law%20is%20to%20make%20things%20easier%20to%20recognise%20guardianship%20status%20between%20countries.%0A%0ABut%20guardianship%20itself%20deprives%20people%20of%20their%20right%20to%20decide.%20This%20is%20against%20the%20CRPD%20which%20both%20the%20EU%20and%20the%20countries%20signed.%0A%0A%23%23%23%205%20organisations%27%20position%0A%0AThe%20proposed%20will%20now%20be%20negotiation%20between%20the%20European%20Commission%2C%20European%20Parliament%20and%20the%20Council%20of%20the%20EU%20%28this%20is%20called%20%22trialogue%22%29.%0A%0AFive%20European%20organisations%20worked%20together%20on%20a%20position%20describing%20what%20the%20law%20must%20avoid.%20These%20include%20European%20Disability%20Forum%2C%20European%20Network%20on%20Independent%20Living%2C%20**Inclusion%20Europe%2C**%20Mental%20Health%20Europe%20and%20AGE%20Platform%20Europe.%20%0A%0AOur%20goal%20is%20to%20protect%20the%20rights%20of%20people%20when%20they%20move%20or%20live%20across%20EU%20countries.%0A%0AThe%20law%20must%20follow%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities.%20This%20convention%20says%20people%20have%20the%20right%20to%20make%20their%20own%20choices%20and%20be%20supported%20to%20do%20so.%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/sZCa2_sMKW4%3Fsi%3DT1N9BJ4OEty2I0uD%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20is%20positive%20so%20far%0A%0AThe%20European%20Parliament%20and%20EU%20countries%20have%20improved%20the%20original%20text%20of%20the%20proposed%20law.%0A%0AThey%20agreed%20to%3A%0A%0A*%20Include%20%5Bsupported%20decision-making.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/supported-decision-making%29%20This%20means%20helping%20people%20make%20their%20own%20choices.%0A*%20Recognise%20powers%20of%20representation.%20This%20means%20people%20can%20choose%20someone%20they%20trust%20to%20support%20them.%0A*%20Remove%20plans%20for%20large%20databases%20of%20sensitive%20personal%20information.%0A%0AThese%20changes%20are%20important.%20They%20protect%20privacy%20and%20dignity.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20must%20change%0A%0AWe%20call%20on%20EU%20negotiators%20to%20make%20three%20key%20improvements.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%201.%20Put%20supported%20decision-making%20at%20the%20centre%0A%0AThe%20law%20must%20clearly%20support%20people%20to%20%5Bmake%20their%20own%20decisions.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%0AIt%20should%3A%0A%0A*%20Define%20what%20%u201Csupport%u201D%20means%0A*%20Make%20sure%20people%20are%20heard%0A*%20Allow%20countries%20to%20refuse%20decisions%20that%20ignore%20a%20person%u2019s%20wishes%0A*%20Provide%20accessible%20documents%20for%20everyone%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/BMVNSa1dF6o%3Fsi%3D9fmZWmQb-Abo-J_w%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%202.%20Stop%20forced%20placements%20in%20institutions%0A%0AThe%20law%20must%20not%20allow%20people%20with%20disabilities%20to%20be%20placed%20in%20institutions%20across%20borders.%0A%0ASupport%20should%20focus%20on%20%5Bliving%20in%20the%20community.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%203.%20Protect%20people%u2019s%20privacy%0A%0AThere%20must%20be%20no%20central%20registers%20of%20people%u2019s%20personal%20situations.%0A%0ASharing%20information%20should%20only%20happen%20if%20the%20person%20
80agrees.%0A%0APrivacy%20is%20a%20basic%20right%20and%20must%20be%20respected.%0A%0A---%0A%0A**Read%20in%20full%3A**%20%5BJoint%20Position%20on%20the%20Proposed%20Regulation%20on%20Protection%20of%20Adults%20in%20Cross-Border%20Situations%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/0c29d576f35f1ca4d9b457801.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0ASee%20also%3A%0A%0A*%20%5BReport%20about%20supported%20decision-making%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/supported-decision-making%29%20","/eu-must-protect-right-to-decide-position-on-guardianship","2026-04-01T09:40:25.000Z","2026-04-01T09:47:15.000Z",{"idx":2731,"title":2732,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2733,"picture":2734,"content_e2r":10,"content":2737,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2738,"created_at":2739,"modified_at":2740,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},283,"Dear MEPs, this is no way to treat people and respect their dignity","Inge Volleberg,European Parliament,self-advocacy,discrimination,ableism",{"alt":2735,"picture":2736},"Window into EP main chamber","https://str.inclusion.eu/16aca8952c3105bfd9cf6dc00.jpeg","On%20March%2025%20there%20was%20a%20World%20Down%20Syndrome%20Day%20event%20at%20the%20European%20Parliament.%20The%20theme%20of%20the%20event%20was%3A%20Together%20against%20loneliness.%20%0A%0AEsther%20Volleberg%20and%20Inge%20Volleberg%20were%20there%20to%20represent%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20%5BEsther%20spoke%20about%20her%20experiences%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/we-all-feel-lonely-from-time-to-time-but-people-with-down-more-often%29%20with%20loneliness%20and%20%5BInge%20connected%20it%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/not-only-are-many-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-lonely-but-their-parents-and-siblings-are-lonely-too%29%20with%20the%20work%20we%20do%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20%0A%0AThere%20were%20three%20other%20self-advocates%20who%20spoke%20about%20their%20experiences.%20%5BEuropean%20Down%20Syndrome%20Association%5D%28www.edsa.eu%29%20shared%20the%20results%20of%20a%20survey%20they%20had%20done%20about%20loneliness%20of%20people%20with%20Down%20Syndrome%20and%20their%20parents.%20%20%0A%0AOverall%20the%20event%20was%20a%20success.%0A%0ABut%20at%20the%20same%20time%20there%20was%20something%20uncomfortable%20about%20the%20event.%20%0A%20%0AEven%20though%20the%20room%20was%20filled%20with%20members%20of%20the%20European%20Parliament%20%28MEPs%29%2C%20family%20members%2C%20organisations%2C%20all%20people%20who%20say%20they%20want%20to%20improve%20the%20lives%20of%20people%20with%20Down%20Syndrome%2C%20the%20self-advocates%20in%20the%20room%20were%20not%20treated%20like%20everybody%20else%3A%20%0A%20%0A-%20When%20self-advocate%20Ana%20Paula%20shared%20that%20she%20loved%20her%20boyfriend%2C%20people%20laughed%20%28a%20little%20too%20loud%29.%0A-%20When%20Esther%20shared%20that%20she%20did%20not%20have%20a%20boyfriend%20and%20felt%20lonely%20because%20of%20it%2C%20people%20laughed%20again.%0A-%20Many%20MEPs%20came%20before%20the%20conference%20only%20to%20take%20pictures%20with%20the%20self-advocates%20and%20waiters%20with%20Down%20syndrome.%20Only%20a%20few%20of%20them%20actually%20attended%20the%20event%20to%20hear%20what%20the%20self-advocates%20had%20to%20say.%0A-%20One%20MEP%20touched%20Esther%27s%20hair%20multiple%20times%20and%20squeezed%20her%20cheeks%2C%20while%20telling%20her%20how%20pretty%20and%20cute%20she%20looked%20%28in%20a%20language%20Esther%20did%20not%20understand%29.%20%0A%20%0AThey%20would%20not%20have%20treated%20someone%20without%20Down%20like%20this.%20%0A%0AThese%20are%20not%20things%20you%20do%20when%20you%20fully%20respect%20the%20other%20person.%20%0A%0AThis%20is%20no%20way%20to%20treat%20people%20and%20respect%20their%20dignity.%20%20%0A%20%0AThis%20is%20ableism.%20This%20is%20not%20okay.%20%0A%20%0A%22People%20treat%20us%20differently%2C%22%20Esther%20said%20at%20the%20end%20of%20her%20speech%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament.%20And%20it%20was%20true%20even%20there%20that%20day.%20","/this-is-no-way-to-treat-people-and-respect-their-dignity","2026-04-01T11:59:55.000Z","2026-04-02T09:31:55.000Z",{"idx":2742,"title":2743,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2744,"picture":2745,"content_e2r":10,"content":2747,"excerpt":10,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":2748,"created_at":2749,"modified_at":2750,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},284,"Accessibility, housing.. Include News for March 2026","European Parliament,Include News,Scotland,education, Poland,accessability,Spain,Ukraine,families,homelessness,housing",{"alt":132,"picture":2746},"https://str.inclusion.eu/85ed4d167f8d92b2b91523606.png","Plenty%20of%20things%20happened%20last%20month.%20Let%27s%20get%20right%20into%20it.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20European%20Parliament%20%0A%AD%0A**%u201CDebating%20accessibility%20in%20the%20European%20Union%20is%20debating%20the%20very%20quality%20of%20our%20democracy%u201D.**%20There%20was%20a%20debate%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%20about%20accessibility.%20%5BThings%20were%20said.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/accessibility-debate-in-european-parliament%29%0A%0A**The%20European%20Parliament%20adopted%20a%20position%20on%20affordable%20housing.**%20%5BThis%20document%20is%20important%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-eu-semester-european-parliament%29%20because%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20struggle%20to%20find%20housing%20in%20Europe.%0A%0A*%20%u201CAccessible%20housing%20is%20a%20prerequisite%20for%20full%20social%20participation%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%2C%u201D%20the%20European%20Parliament%20says.%0A*%20There%20is%20a%20need%20to%20%u201Censure%20both%20the%20availability%20and%20maintenance%20of%20accessible%20housing%2C%20as%20well%20as%20the%20provision%20of%20adequate%20community-based%20support%20services%3B%u201D%0A*%20EU%20countries%20should%20%u201Censure%20the%20provision%20of%20comprehensive%2C%20accessible%20and%20systemic%20community-based%20services%20for%20persons%20with%20disabilities.%u201D%0A%0A**There%20was%20also%20an%20event%20in%20the%20Parliament%20about%20loneliness%20of%20people%20with%20Down%20syndrome.**%0A%0AWe%20contributed%20with%202%20speeches%3A%20%0A%0A*%20%5B%22We%20all%20feel%20lonely%20from%20time%20to%20time%2C%20but%20people%20with%20Down%20are%20more%20often%20lonely%20because%20the%20world%20is%20not%20accessible%20and%20people%20treat%20us%20differently.%20That%20must%20change.%22%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/we-all-feel-lonely-from-time-to-time-but-people-with-down-more-often%29%0A*%20%5BNot%20only%20are%20many%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20lonely%2C%20but%20their%20parents%20and%20siblings%20are%20lonely%20too.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/not-only-are-many-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-lonely-but-their-parents-and-siblings-are-lonely-too%29%0A%0AIt%20was%20a%20good%20event%3A%20%5BBut%20we%20didn%27t%20like%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/this-is-no-way-to-treat-people-and-respect-their-dignity%29%20how%20some%20self-advocates%20were%20treated%20by%20the%20MEPs.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20More%20EU%20news%0A%AD%0A**EU%20must%20protect%20person%27s%20right%20to%20decide%20and%20their%20privacy.**%20The%20EU%20is%20working%20on%20a%20new%20law%2C%20which%20would%20help%20countries%20cooperate%20when%20adults%20were%20placed%20under%20guardianship%20in%20one%20country%20and%20then%20moved%20to%20live%20in%20another%20country.%20%5BBut%20guardianship%20itself%20deprives%20people%20of%20their%20right%20to%20decide.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-must-protect-right-to-decide-position-on-guardianship%29%0A%0A**Tamara%20Byrne%20was%20one%20of%2020%20young%20people%20with%20disabilities%20who%20met%20with%20EU%20Commissioner%20Hadja%20Lahbib.**%20Tamara%20Byrne%20%5Bwas%20at%20the%20event%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tamara-byrne-eu-commissioner-lahbib%29%20to%20speak%20up%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%0A%0A**EEG%20increases%20%5Bits%20capacity%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eeg-increases-capacity-to-advocate-for-transition-from-institution-to-community-based-support%29%20to%20advocate%20for%20transition%20from%20institution%20to%20community-based%20support.**%20Across%20Europe%2C%20an%20estimated%201.5%20million%20people%20are%20still%20living%20in%20institutions.%20Both%20the%20EU%20and%20national%20governments%20have%20a%20responsibility%20to%20close%20these%20places%20down%20and%20replace%20them%20with%20good%20housing%20and%20community%20support.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20From%20around%20Europe%0A%AD%0A**Scottish%20Parliament%20passes%20Restraint%20and%20Seclusion%20in%20Schools%20Bill%20%28also%20known%20as%20%22Calum%u2019s%20Law%22%29%20to%20protect%20rights%20and%20wellbeing%20of%20children.**%20The%20law%20is%20the%20result%20of%20campaign%20%5Bdriven%20by%5D%28https%3A//www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-50287396%29%20Calum%27s%20traumatic%20experience%20of%20restraint%20when%20he%20was%2011%20years%20
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80ype":29,"url":2759,"created_at":2760,"modified_at":2761,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},285,"From practice to policy: How Czechia's reform shaped European deinstitutionalisation - Conversation with Jan Pfeiffer, Inclusion Europe Radio","Inclusion Europe Radio,deinstitutionalisation,Czechia,Milan Å veÅepa,EEG",{"alt":2756,"picture":2757},"Inclusion Europe Radio, Jan Pfeiffer, Psychiatrist and deinstitutionalisation pioneer","https://str.inclusion.eu/d6fa722f49b923b62fc512900.png","In%20this%20episode%2C%20we%20talk%20to%20psychiatrist%20Jan%20Pfeiffer%20about%20mental%20health%20reform%20in%20Czechia%20and%20how%20this%20helped%20create%20a%20broader%20European%20deinstitutionalisation%20movement.%20%0A%0AAs%20a%20psychiatrist%20Jan%20realised%20early%20on%20in%20his%20work%20that%20institutions%20were%20more%20harmful%20than%20helpful%20to%20the%20people%20who%20lived%20there.%20So%2C%20he%20decided%20to%20make%20a%20change.%20Since%20the%201980s%20he%20has%20been%20working%20to%20close%20institutions%20on%20both%20national%20and%20European%20level.%20%0A%0AWhen%20the%20case%20of%20a%20young%20boy%20who%20had%20been%20forced%20to%20live%20in%20a%20caged%20bed%20in%20a%20Czech%20institution%20became%20public%20and%20gained%20international%20attention%20J.K.%20Rowling%20got%20involved.%20As%20more%20and%20more%20countries%20joined%20the%20EU%2C%20Jan%20and%20J.K.%20Rowling%20decided%20to%20take%20the%20issue%20of%20institutionalisation%20to%20Brussels.%20%0A%0AJan%20ended%20up%20working%20on%20this%20in%20many%20different%20countries.%20The%20lessons%20he%20learned%20and%20shares%20include%20the%20importance%20of%20collaboration%2C%20using%20resources%20better%2C%20and%20keeping%20a%20clear%20focus%20on%20people%u2019s%20needs%20and%20rights.%0A%0AFor%20this%2C%20Jan%20helped%20create%20the%20European%20Expert%20Group%20on%20the%20transition%20from%20institutions%20to%20community-based%20support%20%28EEG%29.%0A%0AFinally%2C%20Jan%20speaks%20about%20the%20importance%20of%20communtiy%20and%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20mental%20health%20reform%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20especially%20those%20with%20complex%20support%20needs.%20%0A%0A%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20data-testid%3D%22embed-iframe%22%20style%3D%22border-radius%3A12px%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//open.spotify.com/embed/episode/39urFTh0ioCkiliMcu6ceG%3Futm_source%3Dgenerator%22%20width%3D%22100%25%22%20height%3D%22152%22%20frameBorder%3D%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3D%22%22%20allow%3D%22autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20fullscreen%3B%20picture-in-picture%22%20loading%3D%22lazy%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0AThis%20episode%20is%20co-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%20%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20In%20this%20episode%3A%20%0A-%20**00%3A00**%20Introduction%0A-%20**03%3A32**%20Working%20with%20J.K.%20Rowling%0A-%20**06%3A29**%20Taking%20deinstitutionalisation%20to%20the%20EU%20level%0A-%20**11%3A34**%20The%20EEG%20is%20born%0A-%20**15%3A46**%20Collaboration%20is%20important%0A-%20**22%3A04**%20Mental%20health%20reform%20in%20Czechia%0A-%20**28%3A15**%20Closing%20institutions%20is%20a%20necessary%20action%0A-%20**33%3A29**%20Focus%20on%20the%20people%20inside%2C%20not%20the%20buildings%0A-%20**39%3A02**%20People%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20complex%20support%20needs%20in%20institutions%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Listen%20on%20your%20favorite%20app%0A%0A%7C%20App%20%7C%20Link%20to%20episode%20%7C%0A%7C%20-%20%7C%20-%20%7C%0A%7C%20%21%5BApple%20podcasts%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca9054a.png%29%20%7C%20%5BListen%20on%20Apple%20Podcasts%5D%28https%3A//podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-practice-to-policy-how-czechias-reform-shaped/id1560804555%3Fi%3D1000759040218%29%20%7C%0A%7C%20%21%5BSpotify%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca9054d.png%29%20%7C%20%5BListen%20on%20Spotify%5D%28https%3A//open.spotify.com/episode/39urFTh0ioCkiliMcu6ceG%3Fsi%3D6d7806a33c9f4f17%29%20%7C%0A%7C%20%21%5BPocket%20cast%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/f1a74991725f24ce87ca9054c.png%29%20%7C%20%5BListen%20on%20Pocket%20Casts%5D%28https%3A//pca.st/fu7sozmx%29%20%7C%0A%0A%0A%0AMore%20from%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20Radio.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/podcast%29","/jan-pfeiffer-from-practice-to-policy","2026-04-03T18:28:37.000Z","2026-04-07T12:29:53.000Z",{"idx":2763,"title":2764,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2765,"picture":2766,"content_e2r":10,"content":2767,"excerpt":10,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":2768,"created_at":2769,"modified_at":2770,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},286,"European Parliament's Budget Committee asks for important improvements in next EU budget","EU budget,European Parliament",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"The%20Budget%20Committee%20of%20the%20European%20Parliament%20%5Bagreed%20yesterday%5D%28https%3A//www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260414IPR40819/eu-long-term-budget-meps-want-a-10-increase-to-support-eu-priorities%29%20on%20their%20position%20for%20the%20next%20EU%20budget.%20%0A%0AMEPs%20in%20the%20Budget%20Committee%20ask%20for%20three%20big%20improvements%20to%20the%20originally%20proposed%20EU%20budget%3A%20%0A%0A**1.%20Bigger%20budget.**%20They%20want%20to%20increase%20the%20total%207-year%20budget%20by%2010%25%20-%20to%202.2%20trillion%20euros.%20%0A%0A**2.%20European%20Social%20Fund%20with%20its%20own%20budget.**%20MEPs%20ask%20for%20a%20dedicated%20European%20Social%20Fund%20with%20124.19%20billion%20euros.%20The%20Commission%27s%20proposal%20does%20not%20include%20a%20dedicated%20European%20Social%20Fund.%0A%20%0A**3.%20Disability%20rights.**%20MEPs%20ask%20to%20add%20a%20specific%20reference%20to%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%20%28UNCRPD%29%20in%20the%20budget%20text.%20%0A%0ASpecific%20budget%20for%20social%20inclusion%20%28European%20Social%20Fund%29%20and%20the%20specific%20referrence%20to%20UN%20CRPD%20are%20important%20issues%20in%20the%20budget%20-%20something%20Inclusion%20Europe%20has%20been%20advocating%20for%20alongside%20many%20other%20organisations.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Next%20steps%20%0A%0AThe%20European%20Parliament%20will%20vote%20on%20its%20position%20for%20the%20EU%20budget%20on%2029%20April%202026.%20It%20will%20be%20based%20on%20the%20position%20just%20approved%20by%20the%20Budget%20Committee.%0A%0AComing%20soon%3A%u202FVotes%20on%20the%20National%20and%20Regional%20Partnership%20and%20ESF%20Regulations%20and%20other%20key%20documents%20like%20the%20Performance%20Framework.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20we%20want%20%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20and%20our%20partners%20advocate%20for%3A%20%0A%0A*%20%5BMoney%20dedicated%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/analysis-of-social-inclusion-investment-in-proposed-eu-budget%29%20for%20social%20inclusion%20%28for%20example%20dedicates%20European%20Social%20Fund%29.%0A%0A*%20Specific%20funding%20for%20deinstitutionalisation%20and%20strong%20rules%20to%20prevent%20EU%20money%20going%20to%20institutions%20%0A%0A*%20EU%20money%20%5Bto%20be%20used%20for%20inclusion%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/next-eu-budget-proposal-what-does-it-mean-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities%29%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.","/european-parliament-budget-committee-improvements-eu-budget","2026-04-16T10:25:53.000Z","2026-04-16T10:29:38.000Z",{"idx":2772,"title":2773,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2774,"picture":2775,"content_e2r":10,"content":2778,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2779,"created_at":2780,"modified_at":2781,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},287,"Ellis Jongerius elected to Steering Group of European Platform of Self-Advocates","Ellis Jongerius,self-advocacy,EPSA,LFB,Inclusion Europe",{"alt":2776,"picture":2777},"Ellis Jongerius ","https://str.inclusion.eu/b97efb8f56e85a3a60a7e9400.png","Ellis%20Jongerius%20was%20elected%20to%20the%20Steering%20Group%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates.%20She%20was%20elected%20from%20%5B4%20candidates%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/4-candidates-for-steering-group-of-the-european-platform-of-self-advocates%29%20for%20the%20role.%0A%0AEllis%20Jongerius%20is%20a%20self-advocate%20since%202008.%0A%0AEllis%20is%20the%20director%20of%20%5BLFB%2C%5D%28https%3A//lfb.nu/%29%20self-advocacy%20organisation%20in%20the%20Netherlands.%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%22Having%20an%20intellectual%20disability%20comes%20with%20many%20challenges.%20%0A%23%23%23%23%20These%20challenges%20don%27t%20stop%20at%20the%20Dutch%20border.%20%0A%23%23%23%23%20Together%2C%20we%20can%20achieve%20more%20in%20Europe.%22%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Steering%20Group%0A%0AThe%20Steering%20Group%20are%20self-advocates%20elected%20to%20lead%20the%20work%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates.%0A%0AMembers%20of%20the%20Steering%20Group%20are%3A%0A%0A*%20**L%E1szl
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with intellectual disabilities from across Europe sharing and learning about advocacy for their rights"," Training,Unity project,self-advocacy,participation",{"alt":2787,"picture":2788},"Participants at the 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800plans%20%u2014%20and%20making%20noise%0A%0AParticipants%20learned%20practical%20skills%20during%20the%20training%3A%20how%20to%20speak%20in%20meetings%2C%20how%20to%20use%20media%20and%20social%20media%2C%20and%20how%20to%20talk%20to%20politicians.%0A%0AThe%20training%20ended%20with%20participants%20building%20their%20own%20advocacy%20plans%2C%20working%20on%20issues%20that%20matter%20to%20each%20of%20them%3A%20independent%20living%2C%20personal%20assistance%2C%20accessible%20transport%2C%20employment%2C%20and%20legal%20capacity.%0A%0AThey%20planned%20specific%20actions%20they%27ll%20do%20in%20their%20country%20%u2014%20collecting%20signatures%2C%20meeting%20politicians%2C%20contributing%20to%20laws%2C%20using%20media.%0A%0ATheir%20message%20to%20decision-makers%20is%20direct%3A%20listen%20to%20us.%20Involve%20us.%20Respect%20our%20lives%20and%20our%20choices.","/unity-training-advocacy-disability-rights","2026-04-27T15:51:52.000Z","2026-04-27T15:55:12.000Z",{"idx":2794,"title":2795,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2796,"picture":2797,"content_e2r":10,"content":2800,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2801,"created_at":2802,"modified_at":2803,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},289,"EPSA Steering Group meets in Brussels","self-advocacy,EPSA",{"alt":2798,"picture":2799},"Steering Group members in Inclusion Europe office","https://str.inclusion.eu/fd1c97bc190976ad8e3512704.jpeg","After%20more%20than%20a%20year%20of%20video%20calls%20and%20online%20meetings%2C%20the%20EPSA%20Steering%20Group%20finally%20met%20in%20person.%0A%0AThe%20meeting%20took%20place%20on%2016-17%20April%202026%20in%20Brussels.%0A%0A%23%23%20Steering%20Group%0A%0AThe%20Steering%20Group%20are%20self-advocates%20elected%20to%20lead%20the%20work%20of%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-platform-of-self-advocates%29%0A%0AMembers%20of%20the%20Steering%20Group%20are%3A%0A%0A*%20L%E1szl%F3%20Bercse%2C%20Hungary.%20Chair%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%2C%20and%20Vice-President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%0A*%20Oswald%20F%F6llerer%2C%20Austria.%20Board%20member%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A*%20Andreas%20Zehetner%2C%20Austria.%20Board%20member%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%0A*%20Ana%20Mart%EDnez%2C%20Spain.%0A*%20Ellis%20Jongerius%2C%20Netherlands.%0A%0AEllis%20Jongerious%20%5Bwas%20elected%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/ellis-jongerius-elected-to-steering-group-of-european-platform-of-self-advocates%29%20to%20the%20Steering%20Group%20at%20the%20beginning%2
800of%20April%20this%20year.%0A%0A%21%5BEPSA%20Steering%20Group%20in%20Inclusion%20Europe%20office%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/fd1c97bc190976ad8e3512705.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%23%23%20Leading%20self-advocacy%20work%20ahead%0A%0AThe%20self-advocates%20discussed%20and%20plans%20some%20of%20the%20main%20work%20ahead%3A%0A%0A*%20The%20General%20Meeting%20in%20Vicenza%20will%20be%20a%20chance%20for%20Steering%20Group%20members%20to%20present%20their%20work%20and%20lead%20discussions%20on%20issues%20that%20matter%20most%20to%20members%20%u2014%20the%20right%20to%20work%20and%20equal%20pay%2C%20living%20in%20the%20community%2C%20good%20support%2C%20how%20EU%20funding%20can%20strengthen%20self-advocacy%2C%20and%20how%20to%20talk%20to%20politicians%20effectively.%0A*%20The%20%22Hear%20our%20Voices%22%20online%20sessions%20and%20Europe%20in%20Action%20workshops%20will%20keep%20the%20conversation%20going%20between%20major%20events.%0A*%20And%20the%20Summer%20School%20in%20Brussels%20%u2014%20more%20on%20that%20below.%0A%0A%23%23%20Making%2
800the%20work%20visible%0A%0AThe%20meeting%20had%20also%20a%20very%20honest%20conversations%20about%20visibility%3A%20How%20do%20you%20let%20people%20around%20Europe%20know%20about%20the%20work%20that%20the%20Steering%20Group%20is%20doing%3F%0A%0AThe%20self-advocates%20want%20to%20be%20more%20visible%20and%20to%20inform%20about%20their%20work%20better.%20Not%20by%20producing%20more%20reports%2C%20but%20by%20making%20the%20work%20visible%20in%20real%20time%20%u2014%20simple%20materials%20that%20explain%20not%20just%20who%20Steering%20Group%20members%20are%2C%20but%20what%20they%20do.%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%20The%20challenges%20of%20working%20across%20borders%20and%20combining%20different%20jobs%0A%0AThe%20Steering%20Group%20spans%20different%20countries%2C%20different%20languages%2C%20and%20very%20different%20everyday%20situations.%20Every%20member%20does%20this%20work%20alongside%20their%20regular%20job.%0A%0AEven%20small%20tasks%20%u2014%20sharing%20an%20update%2C%20translating%20information%2C%20coordinating%20a%20message%20%u2014%20take%20time%20and%20effort.%20%0A%0AThe%20meeting%20also%20looked%20at%20how%20Steering%20Group%20members%20can%20be%20more%20involved%20in%20Inclusion%20Europe%20work%20%u2014%20contributing%20to%20a%20gender%20report%2C%20helping%20develop%20a%20participation%20toolkit.%0A%0A*EPSA%20%28European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%29%20is%20part%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20It%20brings%20together%20self-advocacy%20organisations%20and%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20from%20across%20Europe.*","/epsa-steering-group-meets-in-brussels","2026-04-27T16:45:45.000Z","2026-04-27T20:10:06.000Z",{"idx":2805,"title":2806,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2807,"picture":2808,"content_e2r":10,"content":2810,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2811,"created_at":2812,"modified_at":2813,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},290,"I'm stealing this idea from you - Belonging with Inclusion Europe newsletter April 2026","Belonging with Inclusion Europe",{"alt":2517,"picture":2809},"https://str.inclusion.eu/0ff8137840ca79ed4a63a4700.png","*By%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa.*%0A%0A%22I%27m%20stealing%20this%20idea%20from%20you%22%2C%20I%20told%20self-advocates%20and%20colleagues%20during%20a%20training%20in%20Brussels%20couple%20of%20weeks%20back.%0AThey%20laughed.%0AI%20meant%20it.%0A%0AWe%20were%20two%20days%20into%20a%20training%20with%20participants%20from%20eight%20countries.%20The%20topic%20of%20my%20session%20was%20communication%3A%20how%20do%20you%20take%20what%20matters%20to%20you%20and%20say%20it%20in%20a%20way%20that%20reaches%20people%20who%20don%27t%20already%20agree%20with%20you%3F%0A%0APeople%20worked%20on%20their%20messages.%20About%20deinstitutionalisation.%20Legal%20capacity.%20Personal%20assistance.%20%0AAnd%20they%20did%20something%20that%20is%20harder%20than%20it%20sounds%20-%20**they%20dropped%20the%20jargon%20%28using%20every-day%20words%20instead%29%2C%20added%20their%20emotion%2C%20and%20put%20a%20real%20person%20at%20the%20centre.**%0AThen%20they%20gave%20each%20other%20honest%2C%20good%20feedback.%20The%20kind%20you%20only%20give%20when%20you%20feel%20safe%20enough%20to%20mean%20it.%0A%0AThat%27s%20what%20I%20want%20to%20talk%20about%20in%20this%20edition%20of%20Belonging%20with%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20Not%20the%20training%27s%20content%2C%20but%20**what%20being%20in%20that%20room%20actually%20means.**%0A%0AAdvocating%20for%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20can%20feel%20lonely%20sometimes.%20You%20face%20many%20obstacles%20and%20many%20people%20and%20organisations%20who%20disagree%20or%20outright%20refuse%20to%20listen.%0AYou%20fight%20for%20the%20same%20things%20year%20after%20year%2C%20day%20after%20day.%20%0AYou%20face%20bad%20decisions%20made%20by%20people%20who%20are%20in%20positions%20where%20they%20should%27ve%20known%20better.%20%0AIt%27s%20a%20tough%20going.%0A%0AAnd%20then%20you%20walk%20into%20a%20room%20like%20that%20one%20we%20had%20%5Bduring%20the%20training.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/unity-training-advocacy-disability-rights%29%0A**There%20are%20people%20who%20come%20from%20
80different%20countries%20but%20who%20are%20fighting%20the%20same%20fights%2C**%20feeling%20the%20same%20frustrations...%20Sharing%20the%20same%20vision%2C%20walking%20the%20same%20paths.%20Finding%20the%20same%20things%20funny.%0A%0AYou%20can%20stop%20explaining%20yourself%3A%20Just%20talk%2C%20listen%2C%20work%20together.%0AThat%27s%20the%20beauty%20and%20value%20of%20coming%20together%20in%20meetings%2C%20conferences...%20across%20a%20movement%20such%20as%20ours.%0A%0AAnd%20after%2C%20**it%27s%20important%20to%20bring%20that%20energy%2C%20that%20experience%2C%20that%20know-how%20to%20the%20world%20outside%20of%20our%20rooms.**%0AThe%20whole%20point%20of%20the%20training%20and%20all%20the%20work%20we%20do%20is%20to%20take%20the%20messages%20out%20to%20the%20people%20who%20haven%27t%20heard%20them%20yet.%0AThat%27s%20why%20I%20was%20stealing%20some%20of%20the%20ideas%20from%20the%20training%20participants%20-%20it%27ll%20be%20great%20to%20share%20them%20with%20everyone.%0ATo%20use%20them%20in%20our%20advocacy%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion.%0A%0AThank%20you%20everyone%20who%20came%20together%20for%20that%20week%20in%20Brussels.%0AIt%20was%20great%20work%2C%20and%20good%20fun.%0A%0A**Next%20opportunity%20to%20get%20together**%20and%20enjoy%20similar%20-%20much%20stronger%21%20-%20energy%20is%20the%20%5BEurope%20in%20Action%20conference%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2026%29%20in%20Vicenza.%20%0AThree%20days.%20Hundreds%20of%20people%20from%20all%20over%20Europe.%20One%20shared%20vision.%0AMore%20on%20that%3A%20Together%20to%20advance%20inclusion%0AThe%20EPSA%20Steering%20Group%20met%20in%20person%20in%20Brussels%20for%20the%20first%20time%20in%20over%20a%20year.%0AL%E1szl%F3%20Bercse%2C%20Oswald%20F%F6llerer%2C%20Andreas%20Zehetner%2C%20Ana%20Mart%EDnez%2C%20and%20newly%20elected%20Ellis%20Jongerius%20are%20self-advocates%20leading%20EPSA%27s%20work%20at%20European%20level.%0A%5BThey%20spent%20two%20days%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/epsa-steering-group-meets-in-brussels%29%20planning%20and%20having%20honest%20conversations%20about%20visibility%20of%20self-advocacy%20work%3A%20not%20more%20reports%2C%20but%20making%20the%20work%20real%20and%20visible%20as%20it%20happens.%20%0AAfter%20more%20than%20a%20year%20of%20screens%2C%20being%20in%20the%20same%20room%20mattered.%0A%0A**Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%20and%20Camille%20Latimier%20head%20to%20Cyprus%20to%20talk%20about%20support%20in%20decision-making.**%0AThey%20are%20both%20speakers%20at%20a%20conference%20organised%20by%20the%20Cyprus%20Presidency%20of%20the%20Council%20of%20the%20European%20Union.%0A%0ASoufiane%20will%20then%20continue%20his%20programme%20in%20Cyprus%20with%20the%20EDF%20General%20Assembly%2C%20where%20he%20is%20nominated%20for%20elections%20to%20their%20Board.%0A%0A%23%23%20Contribute%20to%20European%20policies%0A%0A**EU%20Study%20on%20Equal%20Treatment%20in%20Housing%3A**%20The%20European%20Commission%20is%20conducting%20an%20EU%u2011wide%20study%20on%20housing.%20It%20will%20focus%20on%20affordability%2C%20adequacy%2C%20discrimination%2C%20segregation%20and%20exclusion.%20The%20Commission%20is%20looking%20for%20input%20from%20persons%20with%20disabilities.%20%0AConsultations%20will%20take%20place%20between%20May%20and%20July%202026%2C%20and%20interested%20participants%20are%20encouraged%20to%20%5Bregister%20by%20Friday%208%20May.%5D%28https%3A//ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/f1fc5921-6cc3-f48d-79ad-517eadf72702%29%0A%0A---%0AThere%27s%20always%20more%2C%20so%20make%20sure%20to%20follow%20our%20%5Bchannels%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/contact%29%20and%20let%20us%20know%20if%20we%20miss%20anything.%0A%0AGet%20the%20next%20%5BBelonging%20with%20Inclusion%20Europe%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Belonging%2520with%2520Inclusion%2520Europe%29%20newsletter%20in%20your%20inbox%3A%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22540%22%20height%3D%22305%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//e34b73c4.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAPeYIJXnCbAaQBM0pCg9dz7zdlbkMNuq3wk7Bvinx-NX7UAwhWdVjUJWHLmBmPpa_vstWFrDuyn3cAD4bNP2BWqSnWma_de_2ke-nUot7Q-ttfpn4AjqA6Cg4pVRNdMyc0s5LDyO5U6FouJpYnPAs5bjOrrI10Z-Z3pDltNPRA9wK5wN3cYDCYDgdoZTCLcNyYuR4YtECp4I%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20scrolling%3D%22auto%22%20allowfullscreen%20style%3D%22display%3A%20block%3Bmargin-left%3A%20auto%3Bmargin-right%3A%20auto%3Bmax-width%3A%20100%25%3B%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E","/belonging-with-inclusion-europe-newsletter-april-2026","2026-04-28T10:57:03.000Z","2026-04-28T10:57:40.000Z",{"idx":2815,"title":2816,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2765,"picture":2817,"content_e2r":10,"content":2819,"excerpt":10,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":2820,"created_at":2821,"modified_at":2822,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},291,"EU money: European Parliament wants bigger EU budget and protection for disability rights",{"alt":2695,"picture":2818},"https://str.inclusion.eu/0ff8137840ca79ed4a63a4701.png","The%20European%20Parliament%20today%20%5Bapproved%5D%28https%3A//www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260424IPR41915/parliament-s-2027-budget-priorities-social-cohesion-competitiveness-security%29%20its%20position%20on%20the%20next%20long-term%20EU%20budget.%0A%0AMEPs%20backed%20a%20position%20that%20includes%20three%20significant%20changes%20to%20the%20European%20Commission%27s%20original%20proposal%3A%0A%0A*%20**Bigger%20budget%20overall.**%20MEPs%20are%20calling%20for%20a%2010%25%20increase%20to%20the%20total%20seven-year%20budget.%0A%0A*%20**Dedicated%20European%20Social%20Fund**%20with%20its%20own%20budget%20of%20124%20billion%20euros.%0A%0A*%20**Specific%20reference%20to%20the%20UN%20Convention%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities**%20in%20the%20budget%20text%20itself.%20%0A%0AThese%20are%20protections%20many%20organisations%2C%20Inclusion%20Europe%20among%20them%2C%20have%20been%20pushing%20for.%20%0A%0A%23%23%20To%20understand%20what%27s%20at%20stake%0A%0A*%20Around%20one%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20still%20living%20in%20institutions%20across%20Europe%20%u2014%20segregated%2C%20cut%20off%20from%20ordinary%20life.%20%0A%0A*%20Too%20many%20people%20are%20locked%20out%20of%20employment.%0A%0A*%20Too%20many%20families%20lie%20awake%20at%20night%20wondering%3A%20What%20happens%20to%20my%20son%20or%20daughter%20when%20I%20am%20no%20longer%20here%3F%0A%0AEU%20funding%20helps%20in%20improving%20this%20and%20many%20other%20issues%20faced%20by%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0AThe%20EU%20budget%20isn%27t%20an%20abstract%20dispute.%20It%27s%20a%20decision%20impacting%20whether%20and%20how%20people%20get%20to%20live.%0A%0A%23%23%20What%20comes%20next%0A%0AToday%27s%20vote%20is%20the%20European%20Parliament%27s%20position%20%u2014%20not%20the%20final%20word.%0A%0ANegotiations%20with%20EU%20member%20states%20%28represented%20in%20the%20Council%29%20and%20the%20European%20Commission%20will%20follow.%0A%0A**It%20is%20important%20to%20talk%20with%20national%20governments%20and%20politicians%20in%20EU%20countries**%20and%20let%20them%20know%20%5BEU%20money%20needs%20to%20be%20used%20for%20inclusion.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/next-eu-budget-proposal-what-does-it-mean-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities%29%0A","/european-parliament-wants-bigger-eu-budget-and-protection-for-disability-rights","2026-04-28T15:13:36.000Z","2026-04-28T15:15:08.000Z",{"idx":2824,"title":2825,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2826,"picture":2827,"content_e2r":10,"content":2829,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2830,"created_at":2831,"modified_at":2832,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},292,"What parents and siblings of children with intellectual disabilities face every day","Young Families Project,Young Families,young families,families",{"alt":132,"picture":2828},"https://str.inclusion.eu/76955b0135babe92c8e0fc802.png","In%20the%20**Young%20Families%20Project**%2C%20we%20speak%20to%20parents%20and%20siblings%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20about%20their%20lives.%20Our%20findings%20are%20presented%20in%20a%20series%20of%20essays.%0A%0AThis%20is%20**part%201**.%20%0A%0AIn%20%5Bthis%20essay%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/76955b0135babe92c8e0fc800.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%20we%20look%20at%20the%20everyday%20lives%20of%20parents%20and%20siblings%20and%20the%20challenges%20they%20face.%20It%20serves%20as%20an%20introduction%20to%20the%20topic.%20It%20has%20been%20a%20while%20since%20we%20have%20written%20something%20specifically%20about%20family%20members%2C%20and%20about%20this%20part%20of%20life.%20%0A%0AHere%2C%20we%20look%20at%20everything%20-%20the%20good%20and%20the%20bad.%20%0A%20%0AAfter%20this%2C%20more%20essays%20will%20follow%20focussing%20on%20specific%20challenges%20that%20came%20up%20repeatedly%20in%20our%20conversations%20with%20parents%20and%20siblings%20for%20this%20project.%0A%0A**Read%20the%20full%20essay%20here%3A**%0A%5BThey%20don%27t%20see%20our%20children.%20They%20don%27t%20see%20us%20either.%20What%20parents%20and%20siblings%20of%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20every%20day%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/76955b0135babe92c8e0fc800.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0A%21%5BYoung%20Families%20Project%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/b231ee3651bf678e448a57f01.png%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Young%20Families%20Project%0A%0A1.%20Introduction%3A%20What%20parents%20and%20siblings%20of%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20every%20day.%0A2.%20%5BIf%20you%20don%u2019t%20know%20how%20to%20navigate%20the%20system%20then%20you%20are%20lost%20and%20your%20child%20is%20too.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/families-navigating-system%29%0A3.%20%5BFinancial%20hardships%20in%20the%20family%2C%20and%20the%20difficulty%20of%20balancing%20work%20and%20care.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/financial-situation-of-family%29%0A4.%20%5BFighting%20for%20a%20good%20education%20for%20their%20loved%20one%20with%20an%20intellectual%20disability%2C%20and%20balancing%20school%20and%20care.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/if-this-school-had-not-worked-we-would-have-had-to-move%29%0A5.%20%5BStruggling%20with%20mental%20health%20and%20wellbeing%20and%20neglecting%20their%20own%20needs.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/nobody-is-really-ok-even-if-they-say-they-are%29","/what-parents-and-siblings-of-children-with-intellectual-disabilities-face-every-day","202
806-04-29T15:58:32.000Z","2026-08-26T10:31:10.000Z",{"idx":2834,"title":2835,"author":10,"article_type":415,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2836,"picture":2837,"content_e2r":10,"content":2839,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2840,"created_at":2841,"modified_at":2842,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},293,"How supported decisionâmaking works for everyone, including people with complex support needs - Register to join online 12-13 May 2026","Unity project,Unity,UNITY project,supported decision-making,right to decide,event",{"alt":774,"picture":2838},"https://str.inclusion.eu/a512144cac7de19ee514e1c0a.jpg","How%20supported%20decision%u2011making%20works%20for%20everyone%2C%20including%20people%20with%20complex%20support%20needs.%20%0AThis%20is%20what%20we%20will%20talk%20about%20on%2012-13%20May.%0A%20%0AJoin%20us%20online%20to%3A%0A%0A%uD83D%uDC65%20Learn%20about%20supported%20decision%u2011making%2C%20including%20for%20people%20with%20complex%20support%20needs.%0A%0A%uD83D%uDDE3%uFE0F%20Hear%20from%20a%20**self%u2011advocate%20who%20challenged%20guardianship.**%0A%0A%uD83E%uDD1D%20Discuss%20**the%20role%20of%20families%20and%20support%20persons.**%0A%0A%u2696%uFE0F%20Learn%20**how%20laws%20on%20legal%20capacity%20are%20changing**%20in%20Europe.%0A%0A%uD83C%uDDEA%uD83C%uDDFA%20Discuss%20what%20is%20happening%20at%20EU%20level.%0A%20%0AThe%20event%20brings%20together%20experiences%2C%20practice%2C%20and%20policy%20to%20reflect%20on%20what%20works%2C%20what%20does%20not%2C%20and%20what%20still%20needs%20to%20change.%0A%0A%20%0A%uD83D%uDDD3%uFE0F%2012-13%20May%202026%0A%0A%uD83D%uDD59%2010%3A00-13%3A00%20%28Brussels%20time%29%20%7C%20Online%0A%0A%u27A1%uFE0F%20**%5BRegister%20here.%5D%28https%3A//forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx%3Fid%3DgQl6t-1XfUaAoOBlamz7XBTtGxxUDRdLjNZpTXTzFrBURVRGVDNJVVZLUzlQSEI5T1VJVzhESUNWSS4u%29**%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20is%20this%20about%3F%0A%0AWe%20will%20talk%20about%20%5Blegal%20capacity%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%20and%20%5Bsupported%20decision-making%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/supported-decision-making%29.%0A%0AThis%20means%2C%20we%20will%20talk%20about%20how%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20can%20best%20make%20their%20own%20choices%20and%20get%20the%20support%20they%20need%20to%20decide%20for%20themselves.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Day%201%0A-%20Learn%20how%20supported%20decision-making%20works%20in%20real%20life%0A-%20Hear%20from%20people%20who%20challenged%20guardianship%20systems%0A-%20Share%20what%20is%20happening%20in%20different%20countries%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Day%202%0A-%20Learn%20how%20laws%20are%20changing%20in%20Europe%0A-%20See%20what%20works%20and%20what%20does%20not%0A-%20Talk%20about%20what%20should%20happen%20next%0A%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20is%20hosting%20this%20online%20discussion%20together%20with%20%5BLebensGro%DF%5D%28https%3A//www.lebensgross.at/%29%20and%20%5BZavod%20RISA%5D%28https%3A//risa.si/risa/%29.%0A%0AThis%20event%20is%20organised%20as%20part%20of%20the%20%5BUnity%20project%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/unity%29%2C%20improving%20participation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20democracy.%20The%20project%20is%20co-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%0A%0A%21%5BEU%20flag.%20Co-funded%20by%20the%20European%20Union.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/e1bb212616cbf622b33d7be03.png%29%0A%0A%0A%0A","/international-dialogue-on-supported-decision-making-unity-project","2026-04-30T16:05:49.000Z","2026-05-05T11:02:38.000Z",{"idx":2844,"title":2845,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2846,"picture":2847,"content_e2r":10,"content":2849,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2850,"created_at":2851,"modified_at":2852,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},294,"How Inclusion Europe works ","Inclusion Europe,Members,Board,EPSA,Steering Group,Helena Lambsdorff",{"alt":2244,"picture":2848},"https://str.inclusion.eu/caec213ba3692ff325959c305.jpg","When%20I%20started%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe%20as%20a%20policy%20trainee%20in%202023%2C%20I%20didn%27t%20understand%20half%20of%20what%20was%20being%20said.%20Especially%20when%20it%20came%20to%20internal%20affairs%3A%20%22Our%20members%2C%20the%20board%2C%20EPSA%2C%20the%20Steering%20Group%2C%20the%20president%2C%20the%20chair%22%2C%20and%20so%20on.%0A%0AAll%20of%20it%20just%20sounded...%20important.%20%0AUnderstandig%20that%20something%20is%20important%20is%20important.%20%0AIt%27s%20the%20first%20step%20to%20knowing%20when%20to%20listen%2C%20and%20what%20questions%20to%20
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80of%20support%20in%20decision-making%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/supported-decision-making%29","/conference-about-support-in-decision-making","2026-05-10T08:14:07.000Z","2026-05-10T08:37:11.000Z",{"idx":2864,"title":2865,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2866,"picture":2867,"content_e2r":10,"content":2870,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2871,"created_at":2872,"modified_at":2873,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},296,"Soufiane El Amrani and Joachim Busch elected first persons with intellectual disabilities to Board of European Disability Forum","Soufiane El Amrani,European Disability Forum,Representation,Self-advocacy",{"alt":2868,"picture":2869},"Soufiane and Joachim shake hands after the election","https://str.inclusion.eu/4a9b0bf9a039a9502e6c89203.jpeg","Saturday%209%20May%202026%20was%20a%20big%20day%20for%20representation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0AJoachim%20Busch%20and%20Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%20became%20the%20first%20persons%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20to%20be%20elected%20to%20the%20Board%20of%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Disability%20Forum.%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83C%uDDEA%uD83C%uDDFA%20%u2028Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%0A%0ASoufiane%20El%20Amrani%20was%20nominated%20by%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20and%20is%20elected%20among%20the%20Board%20members%20representing%20European%20disability%20organisations.%0A%0A%0A%u201CI%20am%20happy%20to%20be%20elected%2C%20it%20is%20a%20proud%20moment%20for%20me.%20Thank%20you%20to%20EDF%20members%2C%u201D%20said%20Soufiane%20El%20Amrani.%20%u2028%0A%u201CIn%20my%20work%20as%20Board%20member%2C%20I%20want%20to%20make%20information%20easy%20to%20read%20and%20improve%20accessibility%20and%20participation.%20%u2028%0A%u201CMy%20other%20big%20priority%20is%20for%20Europe%20to%20stop%20putting%20people%20in%20institutions.%20Everyone%20needs%20to%20be%20able%20to%20live%20in%20their%20own%20home%20and%20in%20the%20community%20as%20everyone%20else.%u2028%0A%u201CI%20am%20looking%20forward%20to%20the%20work.%u201D%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%21%5BSoufiane%20before%20his%20first%20Board%20meeting%20of%20EDF%20on%20Sunday%2010%20May%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/4a9b0bf9a039a9502e6c89207.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%uD83C%uDDE9%uD83C%uDDEA%20%u2028Joachim%20Busch%0A%20%0AJoachim%20Busch%20was%20nominated%20by%20the%20German%20disability%20council%2C%20and%20is%20elected%20among%20the%20Board%20members%20representing%20national%20disability%20organisations.%u2028%0A%0A%u201CI%20am%20happy%20that%20I%20got%20elected%20and%20that%20I%20can%20contribute%20with%20my%20experience%20to%20the%20EDF%20Board%2C%u201D%20Joachim%20Busch%20said.%u2028%0A%0A%0A%0A%21%5BJoachim%20during%20his%20first%20EDF%20Board%20meeting%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/4a9b0bf9a039a9502e6c89208.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%0ABoth%20self-advocates%20were%20elected%20at%20EDF%u2019s%20General%20Assembly%20in%20Cyprus.%20They%20took%20part%20in%20their%20first%20Board%20meeting%20on%20Sunday%2010%20May.%0A%0ACongratulations%20to%20both%20Joachim%20and%20Soufiane%21%0AWe%20are%20proud%20to%20be%20part%20of%20this%20historic%20moment%20for%20representation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20More%20from%20Cyprus%0A%0A**Gunta%20Anca**%20was%20elected%20as%20President%20of%20the%20European%20Disability%20Forum.%20Congratulations%20to%20Gunta%2C%20and%20to%20all%20newly%20elected%20Board%20members.%u2028%0A%0AThere%20was%20also%20%5Ba%20conference%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/conference-about-support-in-decision-making%29%20about%20support%20in%20decision-making%20in%20Cyprus%20before%20the%20EDF%20General%20Assembly.%0A%0A**Maureen%20Piggot**%20was%20elected%20to%20the%20EDF%20Finance%20Committee.%20Previously%2C%20Maureen%20served%20at%20the%20Board%20of%20EDF%20and%20as%20their%20Treasurer%2C%20representing%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20Maureen%20was%20President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20until%202018.%0A%0AMaureen%20was%20recognised%20for%20her%20work%20for%20EDF%20as%20her%20term%20at%20the%20Board%20came%20to%20an%20end.%0A%0A%0A%21%5BMaureen%20with%20a%20medal%20for%20her%20work%20at%20EDF%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/4a9b0bf9a039a9502e6c89206.jpeg%29%0A","/el-amran-busch-elected-first-persons-with-intellectual-disabilities-european-disability-forum","2026-05-10T08:33:53.000Z","2026-05-13T09:19:55.000Z",{"idx":2875,"title":2876,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2877,"picture":2878,"content_e2r":10,"content":2880,"excerpt":10,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":2881,"created_at":2882,"modified_at":2883,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},297,"The EU updates its disability rights strategy â What's new and what's missing","Disabilty Rights Strategy,EU,disability strategy , disability rights ",{"alt":132,"picture":2879},"https://str.inclusion.eu/1a8f4e17fac926bb993d59100.png","Last%20week%2C%20Commissioner%20Lahbib%20announced%20the%20update%20of%20the%20%5BEU%20strategy%20on%20the%20rights%20of%20persons%20with%20disabilities%5D%28https%3A//commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/disability/enhancing-strategy-rights-persons-disabilities-2030_en%29.%20Inclusion%20Europe%20advocated%20for%20strong%20updates%20to%20the%20strategy%20relevant%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20%0A%0AHere%20is%20what%20the%20updated%20strategy%20looks%20like%3A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20stays%20the%20same%3F%20%0A%0AAll%20actions%20from%20the%20first%20phase%20will%20continue.%20%20%0A%0AThe%20EU%20Disability%20Card%20and%20Parking%20Card%20are%20on%20track%20to%20be%20in%20use%20by%202028.%20%0A%0AThe%20%5BEU%20guidance%20on%20independent%20living%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/call-to-action-use-of-eu-money%29%20is%20being%20promoted%20for%20the%20use%20of%20EU%20Funds.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%27s%20new%3F%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%u2705%20An%20EU%20Alliance%20for%20Independent%20Living%3A%0AThe%20Commission%20will%20bring%20together%20member%20states%20and%20experts%20to%20support%20the%20shift%20from%20institutions%20to%20community%20life%20in%20the%20EU.%20It%20will%20share%20good%20practices%20and%20monitor%20progress.%20%20%0A%0AThis%20is%20something%20Inclusion%20Europe%20advocated%20for%20as%20member%20of%20the%20European%20Expert%20Group%20on%20the%20transition%20from%20institutional%20to%20community-based%20support%20%28EEG%29%20has%20been%20advocating%20for.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%u2705%20A%20study%20on%20supported%20decision-making%3A%20%0AFor%20the%20first%20time%2C%20the%20strategy%20includes%20a%20study%20on%20legal%20capacity%20laws%20across%20Europe.%20It%20will%20highlight%20good%20practices%20on%20supported%20decision-making.%20This%20is%20a%20good%20first%20step%20to%20encourage%20change%20in%20EU%20countries.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%u2705%20Right%20to%20vote%3A%20%0AThe%20Commission%20will%20work%20with%20member%20states%20to%20make%20elections%20more%20accessible.%20It%20calls%20on%20countries%20to%20ensure%20people%20with%20disabilities%20can%20vote%20and%20run%20as%20candidates.%20This%20is%20needed%20ahead%20of%20the%202029%20European%20elections.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%u2705%20Inclusive%20jobs%3A%20%0ANew%20studies%20will%20look%20at%20how%20employers%20apply%20reasonable%20accommodations.%20The%20Commission%20will%20also%20talk%20with%20trade%20unions%20and%20employers%20on%20improving%20employment%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20Member%20states%20will%20be%20encouraged%20to%20set%20national%20employment%20targets.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%u2705%20AI%20and%20assistive%20technology%3A%20%0AMany%20useful%20technologies%20exist%20but%20are%20too%20expensive%20or%20hard%20to%20access.%20The%20Commission%20will%20launch%20a%20dialogue%20with%20tech%20companies%2C%20users%20and%20public%20authorities%20to%20fix%20this.%20A%20study%20will%20map%20the%20obstacles%20and%20suggest%20solutions.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%u2705%20Rights%20of%20women%20with%20disabilities%3A%20%0AA%20new%20study%20will%20look%20at%20violence%20against%20women%20with%20disabilities%20in%20the%20EU.%20There%20will%20also%20be%20work%20with%20the%20World%20Health%20Organisation%20to%20improve%20access%20to%20healthcare%20for%20women%20with%20disabilities.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%u2705%20Inclusive%20education%3A%20%0ANew%20guidance%20will%20help%20member%20states%20make%20schools%20and%20universities%20more%20accessible.%20A%20report%20on%20inclusive%20education%20will%20be%20published%20in%202028.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20%u2705%20Emergency%20preparedness%3A%20%0AGuidelines%20and%20training%20will%20be%20developed%20for%20emergency%20services%20on%20how%20to%20support%20people%20with%20disabilities%20in%20a%20crisis.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20There%20are%20still%20some%20gaps%20%0A%0ASignificant%20gaps%20remain%20for%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Using%2
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80a%20person%2C%20increase%20your%20self-esteem%2C%20belong%20to%20a%20group%2C%20make%20new%20friends.%20%0A%0A%22We%20all%20want%20a%20full%20life%20in%20the%20community.%22%0A%0A**Read%20also%3A**%20%5BInterview%20with%20Andrea%20Herbei%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/i-hope-that-everything-i-said-will-be-taken-into-consideration-because-this-is-my-experience-and-my-truth.%29","/sport-meeting-european-commissioner-micallef","2026-06-03T16:51:47.000Z","2026-06-25T17:41:54.000Z",{"idx":2928,"title":2929,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2930,"picture":2931,"content_e2r":10,"content":2934,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2935,"created_at":2936,"modified_at":2937,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},302,"We won't stop until every person with an intellectual disability is fully included in their community, and families get the support they need","Jeanne Nicklas-Faust,Inclusion Europe,Europe in Action 2026",{"alt":2932,"picture":2933},"Jeanne Nicklas-Faust","https://str.inclusion.eu/20d84b67ddede477a3e58b603.jpg","*Jeanne%20Nicklas-Faust%20became%20President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20at%20our%20%5BGeneral%20Assembly%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/general-assembly-2026%29%20on%2026%20May.*%0A%0A*The%20next%20day%2C%20Jeanne%20spoke%20at%20the%20closing%20session%20of%20the%20%5BEurope%20in%20Action%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2026%29%20conference%20in%20Vicenza.*%0A%0A*This%20is%20what%20Jeanne%20said%3A*%0A%0A%21%5BJeanne%20Nicklas-Faust%20speaking%20at%20Europe%20in%20Action%202026%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/20d84b67ddede477a3e58b600.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0ADear%20colleagues%2C%20dear%20friends.%0A%0A%0AIt%20is%20an%20honor%20and%20a%20pleasure%20to%20speak%20to%20you%20today%20at%20this%20important%20conference%20of%20Anffas%20and%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20Together%2C%20as%20members%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20we%20form%20a%20strong%20European%20movement%20of%20and%20for%20families%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20%u2014%20a%20movement%20that%20makes%20a%20real%20difference.%0A%0AI%20am%20speaking%20to%20you%20as%20the%20new%20President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20and%20I%20am%20still%20deeply%20moved%20and%20humbled%20by%20this%20responsibility.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Progress%20achieved%0A%0AWhen%20we%20look%20back%20over%20the%20past%20ten%20or%20twenty%20years%2C%20we%20can%20clearly%20see%20how%20much%20has%20changed.%20There%20has%20been%20real%20progress%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20This%20progress%20is%20visible%20not%20only%20within%20our%20organizations%2C%20but%20also%20in%20the%20way%20people%20with%20disabilities%20engage%20with%20the%20wider%20world.%0A%0AMore%20and%20more%2C%20**people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20speaking%20for%20themselves.**%20They%20are%20no%20longer%20only%20represented%20by%20others%20%u2014%20they%20are%20becoming%20strong%20and%20visible%20%5Bself-advocates%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/self-advocacy%29%20across%20Europe.%20We%20see%20them%20**more%20often%20in%20public%20debates%2C%20in%20dialogue%20with%20policymakers%2C%20and%20as%20active%20participants%20in%20shaping%20our%20organizations.**%20And%2C%20crucially%2C%20we%20see%20more%20and%20**more%20people%20living%20self-determined%20lives**%20and%20making%20their%20own%20decisions.%0A%0AThis%20is%20a%20powerful%20and%20positive%20development.%20It%20is%20a%20major%20achievement%20of%20our%20joint%20work%20and%20commitment%20%u2014%20and%20it%20brings%20with%20it%20an%20ongoing%20responsibility%20for%20us%20as%20organizations.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Our%20responsibilities%0A%0AWe%20must%20continue%20working%20towards%20a%20future%20in%20which%20people%20with%20disabilities%2C%20together%20with%20their%20parents%20and%20siblings%2C%20take%20an%20even%20stronger%20role%20in%20guiding%20our%20organizations.%20This%20is%20about%20**shared%20leadership%2C%20mutual%20respect%2C%20and%20true%20partnership.**%0A%0AThis%20is%20a%20task%20for%20all%20of%20us%20%u2014%20as%20individuals%20and%20as%20organizations.%20Paths%20are%20made%20by%20walking%2C%20so%20let%20us%20continue%20to%20explore%20new%20ways%20to%20strengthen%20self-advocacy%20and%20shared%20leadership.%0A%0AThis%20principle%20also%20applies%20to%20our%20work%20at%20board%20level.%20It%20guides%20the%20way%20we%20collaborate%20%u2014%20including%20my%20own%20role%20as%20a%20mother%20and%20working%20together%20with%20L%E1szl
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80and%20the%20respect%20for%20their%20life%20%u2013%20since%20it%20is%20normal%20to%20be%20different%21%0A%0ATogether%2C%20we%20are%20strong.%0A%0ATogether%2C%20we%20are%20heard.%0A%0AAnd%20together%2C%20we%20will%20move%20forward.%0A%0AThank%20you%20very%20much.%0A%0A%20%21%5BJeanne%20Nicklas-Faust%2C%20Jyrki%20Pinomaa%20and%20Maureen%20Piggot%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/20d84b67ddede477a3e58b601.jpeg%29%0A%0A%20*%20Current%20President%20and%20two%20Past-presidents%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20Jeanne%20Nicklas-Faust%20with%20Jyrki%20Pinomaa%20and%20Maureen%20Piggot%20at%20Europ%20in%20Action%202026.%0A%0A%0A%20","/jeanne-nicklas-faust-europe-in-action-2026","2026-06-09T12:38:44.000Z","2026-06-09T12:39:04.000Z",{"idx":2939,"title":2940,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2941,"picture":2942,"content_e2r":418,"content":2944,"excerpt":132,"default_type":29,"url":2945,"created_at":2946,"modified_at":2946,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},303,"We want all people with intellectual disabilities to be heard and respected","Inclusion Europe,EPSA,self-advocacy,Laszlo Bercse, annual report",{"alt":2200,"picture":2943},"https://str.inclusion.eu/eb6b28abc1ebdee1d77763300.jpg","***L%E1szl
80%F3%20Bercse%2C**%20Chair%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%20and%20Vice-President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20writes%20in%20%5BAnnual%20Report%202025.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2025%29%3A*%0A%0ADear%20members.%0A%0AAs%20Chair%20of%20the%20European%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%20%28EPSA%29%20I%20am%20happy%20to%20share%20what%20we%20have%20been%20doing%20this%20year%2C%20and%20how%20Inclusion%20Europe%20supports%20self-advocates.%0A%0AFor%20me%2C%20self-advocacy%20means%20knowing%20my%20rights%20and%20responsibilities.%0AIt%20also%20means%20speaking%20up%20for%20myself%20and%20for%20other%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0ASelf-advocacy%20helps%20us%20to%20be%20included%20in%20society.%0AIt%20helps%20us%20take%20part%20in%20decisions%20that%20affect%20our%20lives.%0A%0AI%20became%20Chair%20of%20EPSA%20in%202019.%0ABefore%20that%2C%20I%20already%20worked%20with%20EPSA%20since%202017.%0AWhat%20I%20like%20most%20about%20EPSA%20is%20that%20I%20can%20speak%20in%20many%20places%20in%20Europe.%0A%0AI%20can%20talk%20about%20the%20lives%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0AI%20can%20tell%20decision-makers%20what%20support%20we%20need.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20In%202025%2C%20some%20very%20good%20things%20happened.%0A%0AOne%20important%20activity%20was%20the%20Unity%20project.%0ASelf-advocates%20from%20many%20countries%20came%20together.%0AWe%20joined%20trainings%20and%20meetings.%0AWe%20learned%20from%20each%20other.%0AWe%20learned%20how%20to%20be%20more%20visible.%0AWe%20learned%20how%20to%20speak%20up%20better.%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20helped%20to%20make%20this%20happen.%0AThey%20support%20self-advocates%20with%20training%20and%20opportunities%20to%20meet.%0A%0AWe%20also%20met%20Mar%20Galcer%E1n.%0AShe%20is%20a%20self-advocate%20and%20a%20politician%20in%20Spain.%0AShe%20came%20to%20our%20training%20sessions.%0AThis%20was%20very%20inspiring.%0AWe%20need%20more%20politicians%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0AWe%20can%20learn%20a%20lot%20from%20them.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20But%20there%20is%20still%20a%20lot%20to%20do.%0A%0APeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20still%20face%20many%20barriers.%0A%0AWe%20need%3A%0A%0A*%20real%20jobs%20and%20fair%20pay%0A%0A*%20inclusive%20schools%20and%20workplaces%0A%0A*%20the%20right%20to%20make%20our%20own%20decisions%0A%0A*%20the%20right%20to%20vote.%0A%0AEPSA%20and%20self-advocates%20will%20keep%20working%20on%20these%20issues.%0A%0AInclusion%20Europe%20work%20is%20important%20for%20self-advocacy%2C%20supporting%20us%20to%20learn%2C%20speak%20up%2C%20and%20be%20heard.%0A%0ATogether%2C%20we%20keep%20working%20for%20full%20inclusion.%0A%0AWe%20want%20all%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20to%20be%20heard%20and%20respected.%0A%0A%21%5BAnnual%20report%20visual%20with%20photos%20of%20self-advocates%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/a885809d095e5f56675d37006.png%29%0A%0A%0A**Read%20the%20%5BAnnual%20Report%202025.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2025%29**","/we-want-all-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-to-be-heard-and-respected","2026-06-11T14:45:51.000Z",{"idx":2948,"title":2949,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2950,"picture":2951,"content_e2r":10,"content":2954,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":2955,"created_at":2956,"modified_at":2957,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},304,"Making the most of what this movement has to offer - its people, its knowledge, its experience, its resilience","Inclusion Europe, annual report,Milan Å veÅepa",{"alt":2952,"picture":2953},"Milan Å veÅepa ","https://str.inclusion.eu/eb6b28abc1ebdee1d77763301.jpg","***Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%2C**%20Chief%20Executive%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20writes%20in%20%5BAnnual%20Report%202025.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2025%29%3A*%0A%0AWherever%20I%20went%20in%202025%2C%20people%20told%20me%20the%20same%20things%3A%20Governments%20are%20cutting%20funding%20for%20organisations%20and%20for%20services.%20New%20institutions%20are%20being%20opened%2C%20even%20in%20countries%20that%20did%20away%20with%20them%20decades%20ago.%20New%20laws%20make%20it%20easier%20to%20provide%20bad%20services%20to%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%0A%0AI%27m%20not%20writing%20this%20to%20
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80ype":29,"url":2966,"created_at":2967,"modified_at":2968,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},305,"Not only what was achieved but how it was achieved: Through collaboration, shared commitment","Inclusion Europe,self-advocacy,EPSA, annual report,Sandra Marques",{"alt":2963,"picture":2964},"Sandra Marques","https://str.inclusion.eu/eb6b28abc1ebdee1d77763302.jpg","***Sandra%20Marquez%2C**%20supporting%20self-advocacy%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20writes%20in%20%5BAnnual%20Report%202025.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2025%29%3A*%0A%0A2025%20was%20about%20finding%20my%20place%2C%20especially%20working%20from%20Lisbon%20and%20still%20feeling%20part%20of%20a%20team%20based%20in%20Brussels.%20And%20I%20can%20say%20clearly%3A%20I%20do%20feel%20part%20of%20it.%20%0A%0ABecause%20of%20the%20people.%20Because%20of%20how%20we%20work.%20Because%20we%20share%20the%20same%20goals.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Supporting%20self-advocacy%20%0A%0AA%20big%20part%20of%20my%20work%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe%20is%20supporting%20the%20%5BEuropean%20Platform%20of%20Self-Advocates%20%28EPSA%29%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/european-platform-of-self-advocates%29%20and%20strengthening%20self-advocacy.%20This%20is%20the%20thread%20that%20connects%20everything%20I%20do.%20%0A%0AEPSA%20exists%20since%202000.%20I%20have%20been%20close%20to%20Inclusion%20Europe%20since%20that%20year%2C%20able%20to%20see%20EPSA%u2019s%20beginnings%20and%20how%20it%20developed%20and%20grew.%20It%20now%20has%2020%20members%20from%2018%20countries%2C%20organises%20popular%20events%20like%20%5BHear%20Our%20Voices%21%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/hear-our-voices%29%20and%20is%20an%20integral%20part%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20and%20our%20work.%20%20%0A%0AIn%202025%2C%20two%20new%20organisations%20joined%20EPSA.%20This%20shows%20that%20the%20network%20continues%20to%20grow%2C%20even%20if%20some%20organisations%20leave%20along%20the%20way.%20It%20also%20reflects%20the%20reality%20many%20self-advocacy%20organisations%20face.%20Self-advocacy%20work%20often%20depends%20on%20external%20funding%2C%20and%20many%20organisations%20do%20not%20receive%20stable%20support%20for%20advocacy%20from%20governments.%20This%20makes%20it%20difficult%20to%20plan%20long-term%20and%20to%20sustain%20their%20work.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%20%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20highlights%20of%202025%20were%20the%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%20self-advocacy%20events.%20%0A%0AI%20have%20been%20organising%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%20since%202011%2C%20and%20every%20time%20it%20is%20different%20and%20differently%20good.%20But%20%5B2025%20was%20special%3A%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/hear-our-voices%21-2025-final-report%29%2018%20countries%20were%20involved%2C%20with%2023%20organisations%20organising%20activities%20and%20more%20than%201%2C200%20participants%20across%20Europe.%20%0A%0ABehind%20these%20numbers%20are%20people%20speaking%20up%2C%20sharing%20their%20experiences%2C%20and%20making%20their%20voices%20heard.%20Members%20organised%20their%20own%20events.%20Self-advocates%20spoke%20about%20what%20matters%20most%20to%20them.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Supporting%20learning%20and%20capacity%20building%20%20%0A%0ASupporting%20self-advocacy%20also%20means%20investing%20in%20learning%20and%20capacity%20building.%20I%20worked%20with%20members%20and%20helped%20them%20organise%20trainings.%20I%20also%20gave%20trainings%20myself.%20For%20self-advocates%2C%20family%20members%2C%20and%20for%20support%20persons.%20After%20all%2C%20Inclusion%20is%20not%20only%20about%20self-advocates.%20It%20is%20also%20about%20the%20people%20around%20them%20understanding%20how%20to%20support%20without%20taking%20over.%20%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20trainings%20I%20created%20was%20on%20making%20the%20European%20Union%20more%20accessible%20for%20self-advocates.%20This%20is%20important%20if%20we%20want%20people%20to%20be%20part%20of%20decisions%20that%20affect%20their%20lives.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Sharing%20experiences%20across%20Europe%20and%20growing%20self-advocacy%20%0A%0AThrough%20work%20done%20in%20projects%20like%20UNITY%2C%20I%20could%20clearly%20see%20self-advocacy%20growing%20across%20Europe.%20In%202025%2C%20I%20took%20part%20in%20several%20online%20events%20from%20
80different%20organisations.%20More%20than%20400%20people%20participated%2C%20with%20presentations%20from%20over%2020%20self-advocates%20from%209%20countries.%20%5BIn%20Greece%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/self-advocates-from-different-places-in-greece-come-together-talk-about-their-rights-and-dreams%29%20more%20than%20100%20self-advocates%20were%20involved%20as%20they%20organised%20their%20first%20self-advocacy%20conference%21%0A%0ATo%20reach%20even%20more%20people%2C%20the%20work%20I%20do%20for%20the%20Self-Determination%20Academy%20focuses%20on%20the%20roots%20of%20self-advocacy%3A%20empowerment.%20Supporting%20people%20to%20develop%20confidence%2C%20knowledge%2C%20and%20skills%20to%20make%20their%20own%20choices%20and%20speak%20up.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Building%20connections%20%0A%0ALooking%20back%20at%202025%2C%20what%20stands%20out%20is%20not%20only%20what%20was%20achieved%20but%20how%20it%20was%20achieved.%20Through%20collaboration.%20Through%20shared%20commitment.%20And%20through%20the%20voices%20of%20people%20who%20we%20make%20sure%20are%20heard.%20%0A%0A%0A%0A%21%5BAnnual%20report%20visual%20with%20photos%20of%20self-advocates%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/a885809d095e5f56675d37006.png%29%0A%0A%0A**Read%20the%20%5BAnnual%20Report%202025.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2025%29**","/not-only-what-was-achieved-but-how-it-was-achieved","2026-06-11T15:10:54.000Z","2026-06-11T15:11:07.000Z",{"idx":2970,"title":2971,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2972,"picture":2973,"content_e2r":418,"content":2975,"excerpt":132,"default_type":29,"url":2976,"created_at":2977,"modified_at":2977,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},306,"People with intellectual disabilities need to be able to have their say and be taken seriously","Inclusion Europe,self-advocacy, annual report,Soufiane El Amrani",{"alt":1297,"picture":2974},"https://str.inclusion.eu/eb6b28abc1ebdee1d77763303.jpg","***Soufiane%20El%20Amrani%2C**%20Accessibility%20expert%20and%20self-advocate%20of%20%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20writes%20in%20%5BAnnual%20Report%202025.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2025%29%3A*%0A%0AIn%202025%20I%20did%20a%20lot%20of%20different%20things%20with%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20%0A%0AI%20spoke%20at%20the%20%5BGlobal%20Disability%20Summit%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/governments-think-they-know-what-is-best-for-us-but-they-dont%29%202025%20in%20Berlin.%20%0AThe%20Summit%20was%20a%20very%20big%20conference%20with%20people%20from%20all%20around%20the%20world.%0A%0AI%20gave%20several%20easy-to-read%20trainings%20to%20many%20different%20organisations.%20%20%0AI%20went%20to%20the%20%5BWorld%20Congress%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-europe-at-the-world-congress-2025%29%20of%20Inclusion%20International.%0AI%20took%20part%20in%20the%20Self-Advocacy%20Summit%20there%2C%20as%20well%20as%20in%20other%20sessions.%0AWith%20Inge%20we%20presented%20the%20Inclusion%20Indicators%20at%20the%20World%20Congress.%0AInclusion%20Indicators%20is%20a%20report%20about%20what%20Europe%20looks%20like%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%0A%0AI%20went%20to%20other%20conferences%20and%20events%2C%0Aboth%20in%20Brussels%20and%20in%20different%20countries%20in%20Europe.%0A%0AI%20also%20took%20part%20in%20self-advocacy%20meetings%20for%20%5BHear%20Our%20Voices%21.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/hear-our-voices%21-2025-final-report%29%20%0A%0AI%20spoke%20at%20the%20European%20Parliament%20about%20legal%20capacity%20and%20supported%20decision-making.%20%0A%0AI%20also%20started%20a%20campaign%20for%20me%20to%20get%20elected%20to%20the%20board%20of%20the%20European%20Disability%20Forum.%20%20%0A%20%0AI%20met%20a%20lot%20of%20self-advocates%20and%20many%20others%20working%20for%20inclusion.%0A%0AAll%20this%20work%20is%20very%20important.%20%20%0APeople%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20need%20to%20be%20able%20to%20have%20their%20say%20and%20be%20taken%20seriously.%20%0A%20%0AAs%20I%20said%20in%20Berlin%3A%20%20%0A%u201CGovernments%20think%20they%20know%20what%u2019s%20best%20for%20us%2C%20but%20they%20don%27t.%20We%20do%21%u201D%20%0A%0A%0A%0A%21%5BAnnual%20report%20visual%20with%20photos%20of%20self-advocates%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/a885809d095e5f56675d37006.png%29%0A%0A%0A**Read%20the%20%5BAnnual%20Report%202025.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2025%29**","/people-with-intellectual-disabilities-need-to-be-able-to-have-their-say-and-be-taken-seriously","2026-06-11T15:19:37.000Z",{"idx":2979,"title":2980,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2981,"picture":2982,"content_e2r":10,"content":2984,"excerpt":10,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":2985,"created_at":2986,"modified_at":2987,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},307,"It is impossible for me to have âwork-lifeâ balance, and I love it","Inclusion Europe, annual report,Inge Volleberg,siblings",{"alt":2506,"picture":2983},"https://str.inclusion.eu/eb6b28abc1ebdee1d77763304.jpg","***Inge%20Volleberg%2C**%20researcher%2C%20writes%20in%20%5BAnnual%20Report%202025.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2025%29%3A*%0A%0AAs%20a%20sibling%20of%20someone%20with%20an%20intellectual%20disability%20working%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20I%20have%20no%20traditional%20%u2018work-life%u2019%20balance.%20%20%0ASo%20much%20of%20my%20life%20relates%20to%20my%20work%2C%20and%20so%20much%20of%20my%20work%20relates%20to%20my%20life.%20%0AThis%20became%20even%20more%20clear%20to%20me%20when%20I%20got%20sick%20in%202024%20and%20could%20not%20work%20for%20a%20while.%20I%20hated%20it.%20%0A%0ASo%2C%20when%20I%20was%20able%20to%20get%20back%20to%20work%20at%20the%20start%20of%202025%2C%20I%20was%20so%20excited.%20But%20it%20was%2C%20and%20still%20is%2C%20on%20a%20part-time%20basis%2C%20which%20meant%20I%20had%20to%20find%20a%20new%20balance.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Predictable...%0A%0AWhat%20should%20I%20work%20on%3F%20What%20deserves%20my%20attention%20and%20energy%3F%20What%20gives%20me%20energy%3F%20How%20can%20I%20do%20my%20work%20in%20a%20way%20that%20is%20sustainable%20and%20has%20impact%3F%20%0AThe%20answers%20came%20in%20two%20parts.%20The%20first%20was%20predictable%2C%20the%20second%20was%20more%20of%20a%20surprise%20to%20me.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20Inclusion%20Indicators%20is%20the%20predictable%20answer%20to%20the%20questions%20above.%20%0A%0AI%20love%20working%20on%20the%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%20It%20gives%20me%20so%20much%20energy%20to%20be%20working%20on%20fixing%20a%20problem%20like%20the%20lack%20of%20data%20on%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20It%20is%20not%20perfect%2C%20we%20still%20have%20to%20work%20with%20incomplete%20and%20missing%20data%2C%20but%20it%20has%20impact.%20%0A%0AI%20have%20been%20working%20on%20the%20Inclusion%20Indicators%20since%20the%20first%20report%20in%202023.%20That%20year%20was%20very%20much%20a%20period%20of%20trial%20and%20error.%20Seeing%20what%20worked%20and%20what%20did%20not%2C%20which%20questions%20we%20had%20to%20ask%20to%20get%20the%20answers%20we%20were%20looking%20for%2C%20and%20discussing%20with%20members%20what%20we%20can%20improve.%20For%202024%2C%20we%20had%20already%20made%20many%20improvements.%20But%20for%202025%2C%20I%20wanted%20to%20make%20the%20last%20%u2018big%u2019%20adjustments%2C%20to%20get%20the%20survey%20and%20the%20report%20in%20the%20shape%20we%20had%20always%20envisioned.%20So%2C%20that%u2019s%20where%20I%20put%20most%20of%20my%20focus.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20...surprising%0A%0ASiblings%u2019%20advocacy%20was%20the%20more%20surprising%20answer%20to%20the%20questions%20above.%20%0A%0AOf%20course%2C%20as%20
80a%20sibling%20myself%2C%20I%20already%20shared%20about%20my%20experiences%20here%20and%20there.%20But%20I%20realised%20that%20I%20wanted%20to%20take%20it%20more%20seriously.%20To%20take%20my%20advocacy%20to%20the%20next%20level%2C%20so%20to%20say.%20Luckily%2C%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe%20I%20get%20opportunities%20to%20do%20just%20that.%20%0A%0AI%20got%20the%20chance%20to%20do%20a%20podcast%20for%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20Radio%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/podcast%29%20to%20%5Bwrite%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/family-members-need-support.-if-they-are-doing-well-it-benefits-everyone-in-the-family%29%20an%20article%20for%20the%20website%2C%20to%20host%20focus%20groups%20with%20siblings%20for%20a%20series%20of%20essays%20that%20will%20be%20published%20in%202026%2C%20and%20to%20travel%20to%20different%20places%20to%20speak%20about%20my%20experiences%20as%20a%20sibling.%20%0A%20%0AI%20am%20so%20grateful%20that%20I%20can%20combine%20my%20work%20and%20my%20life%2C%20that%20I%20can%20both%20work%20on%20something%20as%20impactful%20as%20the%20Inclusion%20Indicators%2C%20while%20also%20working%20on%20something%20that%20is%20so%20personal%20as%20advocating%20for%20siblings.%20%0A%0ALike%20I%20said%20in%20the%20beginning%2C%20it%20is%20pretty%20much%20impossible%20for%20me%20to%20have%20a%20standard%20%u2018work-life%u2019%20balance%2C%20and%20I%20love%20it.%20%0A%0A%0A%0A%0A%21%5BAnnual%20report%20visual%20with%20photos%20of%20self-advocates%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/a885809d095e5f56675d37006.png%29%0A%0A%0A**Read%20the%20%5BAnnual%20Report%202025.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2025%29**","/it-is-impossible-for-me-to-have-work-life-balance","2026-06-11T15:28:01.000Z","2026-06-11T15:28:26.000Z",{"idx":2989,"title":2990,"author":10,"article_type":10,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":2991,"picture":2992,"content_e2r":418,"content":2995,"excerpt":132,"default_type":29,"url":2996,"created_at":2997,"modified_at":2997,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},308,"A Lot of work remains to be done","Inclusion Europe, annual report,Helena Lambsdorff",{"alt":2993,"picture":2994},"blog by Helena Lambsdorff","https://str.inclusion.eu/eb6b28abc1ebdee1d77763305.jpg","***Helena%20Lambsdorff%2C**%20responsible
80%20for%20communication%20at%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20writes%20in%20%5BAnnual%20Report%202025.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2025%29%3A*%0A%0AIn%202025%20all%20the%20pieces%20fell%20into%20place%20for%20me.%20%20%0A%0AIn%20January%2C%20I%20started%20as%20the%20coordinator%20for%20the%20European%20Expert%20Group%20on%20the%20transition%20from%20institutions%20to%20community-based%20support%20%28%5BEEG%5D%28https%3A//deinstitutionalisation.com/%29%29.%20Which%20means%20I%20got%20to%20work%20with%20the%20EEG%u2019s%2012%20amazing%20member%20organisations.%20Coordinating%20so%20many%20people%20and%20constituencies%20is%20not%20always%20easy.%20But%20being%20a%20part%20of%20the%20EEG%u2019s%20incredibly%20strong%20effort%20to%20make%20deinstitutionalisation%20happen%20%u2013%20I%u2019d%20do%20it%20all%20over%20again%20in%20a%20heartbeat.%20%20%0A*%09Together%2C%20we%20made%20a%20report%20on%20how%20EU%20funding%20could%20be%20better%20used%20for%20the%20transition%20from%20institutions%20to%20independent%20living%20in%20the%20community.%20%20%0A*%09We%20organised%20an%20online%20event%20%u2013%20the%20annual%20Study%20Session%20%u2013%20where%20over%20140%20people%20came%20together.%20%20%0A*%09And%20we%20discussed%20the%20importance%20of%20investing%20EU%20money%20in%20deinstitutionalisation%20and%20showed%20the%20difference%20it%20can%20make.%20%20%0A%0ASoon%2C%20I%20was%20ready%20to%20take%20on%20more%20%28the%20EEG%20Coordinator%20is%20a%20half-time%20position%29.%20So%20I%20started%20as%20Inclusion%20Europe%u2019s%20Communications%20Officer%20%28also%20just%20half-time%20at%20first%29.%20When%20I%20say%20%u2018all%20the%20pieces%20fell%20into%20place%u2019%u2026%20this%20is%20how%20it%20felt%20after%20about%203%20days.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20The%20job%20fit%28s%29%20like%20a%20glove.%20%20%0A%0AI%20learned%20to%20manage%20Inclusion%20Europe%u2019s%20impressive%20range%20of%20communication%20mediums%3A%20%20%0A*%09%5BEurope%20for%20Us%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-magazine%29%20easy-to-read%20magazine%2C%0A*%09%5Binclusion%20Europe%20Radio%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/podcast%29%20podcasts%2C%0A*%09Include%20News%20and%20%5BBelonging%20with%20Inclusion%20Europe%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/tag/Belonging%2520with%2520Inclusion%2520Europe%29%20newsletters%2C%20%0A*%09Online%20platforms%20like%20%5BLinkedIn%5D%28https%3A//www.linkedin.com/company/inclusion-europe/%29%2C%20%5BFacebook%5D%28https%3A//www.facebook.com/inclusioneurope%29%2C%20%5BInstagram%5D%28https%3A//www.instagram.com/inclusioneurope/%3Fhl%3Den%29%2C%20%5BYouTube%5D%28https%3A//www.youtube.com/channel/UCbMENufeAkmK_jrDmMWV-xA%29%20or%20%5BBlueSky%5D%28https%3A//bsky.app/profile/inclusioneurope.bsky.social%29.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Creating%20posts%20with%20incredible%20people%0A%0ARight%20on%20time%20to%20highlight%20the%20great%20work%20self-advocates%20all%20over%20Europe%20were%20doing%2C%20since%202025%20was%20also%20a%20%5BHear%20Our%20Voices%21%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/hear-our-voices%21-2025-final-report%29-year.%20Self-advocates%20from%20Georgia%2C%20Iceland%2C%20Cyprus%2C%20Finland%20and%20many%20more%20%2818%20countries%20in%20total%29%20spoke%20up%20about%20what%20matters%20most%20to%20them%20and%20the%20change%20they%20want%20to%20see.%20Creating%20posts%20and%20visuals%20with%20content%20provided%20by%20all%20these%20incredible%20people%20was%20the%20best%20introduction%20to%20the%20%u2018human%20side%u2019%20of%20communications%20I%20could%20have%20asked%20for.%20%0A%0AThe%20fact%20that%20I%20was%20able%20to%20attend%20one%20of%20the%20Hear%20Our%20Voices%21%20events%20%5Bin%20Timisoara%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/from-institutions-to-inclusion-lessons-from-timisoara%29%20Romania%20was%20a%20huge%20bonus.%20Self-advocates%20Elisabeta%20Moldovan%2C%20Anna%20Ciuciura%2C%20and%20Tibi%20Chitoiu%20shared%20how%20they%20escaped%20from%20the%20institutions%20they%20had%20grown%20up%20in.%20%0A%0AThey%20spoke%20openly%20about%20the%20violence%20they%20had%20endured%20and%20what%20it%20took%20to%20survive.%20They%20also%20invited%20us%20to%20visit%20them%20in%20their%20houses%2C%20where%20they%20live%20independently.%20Seeing%20how%20proud%20they%20were%20of%20their%20homes%2C%20their%20interior%20choices%2C%20and%20the%20simple%20but%20great%20pleasure%20of%20being%20able%20to%20decide%20for%20themselves%20allowed%20me%20to%20witness%20the%20importance%20of%20deinstitutionalisation%20in%20practice.%20%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Gender%20equality%20and%20sexual%20and%20reproductive%20health%20and%20rights%20%20%0A%0AIn%202025%2C%20I%20also%20focused%20on%20
80another%20topic%20close%20to%20my%20heart%3A%20gender%20equality%20and%20sexual%20and%20reproductive%20health%20and%20rights.%20%20%0A%0AIn%20July%2C%20I%20wrote%20Inclusion%20Europe%u2019s%20first%20report%20on%20%5BGender%20%28in%29equality%20of%20women%20and%20girls%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Europe.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/gender-%28in%29equality-of-women-and-girls-with-intellectual-disabilities-in-europe%29%20The%20report%20was%20picked%20up%20by%20Euronews.%20They%20translated%20the%20article%20into%20many%20different%20languages%20and%20created%20a%20video%20based%20on%20Inclusion%20Europe%u2019s%20information.%20%20%0A%0AIn%20September%20I%20spoke%20in%20the%20European%20Parliament%20on%20how%20to%20prevent%20sexual%20violence%20against%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20%20Unsurprisingly%2C%20closing%20institutions%20is%20right%20at%20the%20top%20of%20that%20list...%20%0A%0AAnd%20in%20October%2C%20the%20Fundamental%20Rights%20Agency%20%28FRA%29%20held%20a%20conference%20to%20consult%20on%20their%20report%20%u2018Places%20of%20Care%20%3D%20Places%20of%20Safety%3F%20Violence%20against%20persons%20with%20disabilities%20in%20institutions.%u2019%20Meeting%20the%20participants%20of%20this%20event%20showed%20me%20that%20there%20are%20a%20lot%20of%20great%20people%20in%20Europe%20that%20are%20%u2018doing%u2019%20deinstitutionalisation%20every%20day.%20But%20seeing%20that%20no%20survivors%20of%20institutionalisation%20were%20there%20taught%20me%20that%20even%20when%20there%20is%20good%20will%2C%20a%20lot%20of%20work%20remains%20to%20be%20done.%20%0A%0A%0A%21%5BAnnual%20report%20visual%20with%20photos%20of%20self-advocates%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/a885809d095e5f56675d37006.png%29%0A%0A%0A**Read%20the%20%5BAnnual%20Report%202025.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2025%29**","/a-lot-of-work-remains-to-be-done","2026-06-11T15:47:24.000Z",{"idx":2999,"title":3000,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3001,"picture":3002,"content_e2r":418,"content":3004,"excerpt":132,"default_type":29,"url":3005,"created_at":3006,"modified_at":3006,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},309,"Inclusion takes a lot of action","Inclusion Europe,CRPD,European Union, annual report,Freddy Jussien, European Commission,European Parliament",{"alt":2132,"picture":3003},"https://str.inclusion.eu/eb6b28abc1ebdee1d77763306.png","***Freddy%20Jussien%2C**%20Advocacy%20Lead%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20writes%20in%20%5BAnnual%20Report%202025.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/annual-report-2025%29%3A*%0A%0AEvery%20morning%20I%20ask%20myself%20the%20same%20question%3A%20How%20can%20I%20do%20better%20today%3F%20%0A%0AOver%20the%20past%20year%2C%20I%20have%20learnt%20that%20to%20answer%20this%20seemingly%20simple%20question%2C%20many%20more%20questions%20must%20be%20considered%20first.%20To%20improve%20my%20work%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%2C%20I%20asked%20myself%20in%20January%202025%3A%20%0A%0A*%20How%20can%20the%20next%20EU%20long-term%20budget%20work%20for%20inclusion%3F%0A*%20How%20will%20the%20UN%20CRPD%20Committee%u2019s%20review%20influence%20disability%20rights%20in%20the%20EU%3F%0A*%20How%20can%20jobs%20become%20inclusive%3F%0A*%20How%20can%20we%20make%20the%20right%20to%20decide%20a%20reality%3F%0A*%20What%20must%20the%20next%20Disability%20Rights%20Strategy%20include%3F%20%0A%0AHere%20is%20what%20I%20found%3A%0A%0A%23%23%23%20How%20can%20the%20next%20EU%20long-term%20budget%20work%20for%20inclusion%3F%20%0A%0AOur%20members%20told%20us%20that%20EU%20money%20helps%20every%20day.%20It%20helps%20run%20self-advocacy%20work%2C%20partner%20with%20others%20on%20deinstitutionalisation%2C%20or%20support%20inclusive%20jobs.%20But%20EU%20money%20also%20brings%20disappointment%20%u2014%20for%20example%20when%20segregated%20institutions%20get%20financed.%20%0A%0AWe%20turned%20our%20members%u2019%20voices%20into%20a%20position%20paper%3A%u202F%5B%22EU%20money%20for%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%22%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-money-inclusion-disabilitties-position-paper-2024%29%u202F%20We%20shared%20this%20paper%20with%20Members%20of%20the%20European%20Parliament%20and%20with%20the%20European%20Commission.%20We%20asked%20our%20members%20to%20take%20it%20to%20their%20governments%20and%20call%20for%20action.%20%20%0A%0AIn%20July%2C%20EU%20budget%20proposal%20was%20published.%20There%20are%20many%20concerns.%20The%20budget%20advocacy%20is%20far%20from%20over.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20will%20the%20UN%20CRPD%20Committee%20say%20about%20disability%20rights%20in%20the%20European%20Union%3F%20%0A%0AIn%202025%20the%20CRPD%20Committee%20%5Breviewed%20the%20EU.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/eu-should-do-better-crpd-committee-reviews-disability-rights-situation%29.%20I%20travelled%20to%20Geneva%20to%20present%20the%20situation%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities.%20Together%20with%20other%20organisations%20we%20looked%20at%20what%20the%20EU%20achieved%20for%20disability%20rights%20%u2013%20and%20at%20the%20gaps%20that%20remain.%20%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/1R7wkV8lzbM%3Fsi%3Dy27Nkur-OTKnCZCO%22%20title%3D%22YouTube%20video%20player%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allow%3D%22accelerometer%3B%20autoplay%3B%20clipboard-write%3B%20encrypted-media%3B%20gyroscope%3B%20picture-in-picture%3B%20web-share%22%20referrerpolicy%3D%22strict-origin-when-cross-origin%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0ADuring%20the%20exchange%20between%20Committee%20members%20and%20the%20European%20Commission%2C%20the%20sentence%20%221.7%20billion%20euros%20were%20used%20for%20community-based%20services%22%20%20struck%20me.%20That%20is%20a%20lot%20of%20money%21%20%0A%0A*%20If%201.7%20billion%20went%20to%20community-based%20services%2C%20why%20are%20more%20than%201%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20still%20in%20institutions%3F%0A*%20How%20is%20money%20still%20flowing
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80adrid%20Barajas%20Airport%20waiting%20for%20my%20flight%20to%20take%20me%20first%20to%20London%20Heathrow%20and%20then%20onwards%20to%20Helsinki.%20I%20was%20in%20Madrid%20to%20attend%20an%20international%20%5Bconference%5D%28https%3A//www.plenainclusion.org/noticias/200-activistas-por-los-derechos-de-las-personas-con-discapacidad-intelectual-de-cuatro-continentes-reflexionan-sobre-los-20-anos-de-la-convencion-de-la-onu/%29%20organised%20by%20Inclusion%20Europe%20member%20%5BPlena%20inclusi%F3n.%5D%28https%3A//www.plenainclusion.org/%29%20%0A%0A**I%20feel%20really%20empowered.**%20As%20I%20have%20every%20time%20visiting%20our%20members%2C%20attending%20conferences%2C%20meeting%20with%20our%20staff%20and%20experiencing%20the%20very%20unique%20atmosphere%20in%20the%20room%20when%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20their%20family%20members%20and%20professionals%20come%20together%20to%20discuss%20and%20advance%20inclusion%2C%20to%20change%20experiences%20and%20to%20encourage%20each%20other%20in%20continuing%20this%20so%20important%20work%20for%20equality%20and%20full%20inclusion.%0A%0A**I%20also%20feel%2
800quite%20emotional.**%20Eight%20years%20of%20my%20presidency%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%20came%20to%20an%20end%20only%20two%20weeks%20ago%20when%20we%20had%20our%20%5BGeneral%20Assembly%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/general-assembly-2026%29%20as%20part%20of%20our%20succesful%20Europe%20in%20Action%20conference%20in%20Vicenza%2C%20Italy.%20Jeanne%20Nicklas-Faust%20%5Bstarted%20her%20term%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/jeanne-nicklas-faust-europe-in-action-2026%29%20as%20President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe.%20I%20wish%20all%20the%20best%20to%20you%2C%20Jeanne%21%0A%0A%21%5BThank%20you%20for%20your%20service%21%20Jeanne%20takes%20over%20from%20Jyrki%20during%20GA%20in%20Vicenza.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/eb6b28abc1ebdee1d77763307.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0AI%20am%20not%20emotional%20because%20my%20term%20ended.%20I%20am%20emotional%20because%20of%20all%20the%20nice%20words%20I%20have%20been%20reading%20about%20myself%20during%20the%20two%20weeks%20that%20have%20passed.%20I%20am%20also%20emotional%20because%20of%20the%20goodbyes%20I%20have%20been%20saying%20to%20people%20first%20in%20Vicenza%20and%20now%20in%20Madrid.%20It%20is%20always%20hard%20to%20say%20goodbyes.%20I%20am%20also%20emotional%20because%20after%20serving%20now%20altogether%20for%20fifteen%20years%20in%20the%20Board%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20I%20strongly%20feel%20being%20a%20part%20of%20and%20belonging%20to%20this%20great%20organisation.%20**I%20might%20be%20leaving%20Inclusion%20Europe%20but%20Inclusion%20Europe%20and%20the%20global%20Inclusion%20movement%20will%20never%20leave%20me%21**%0A%0ABesides%2C%20I%20am%20not%20going%20anywhere%20yet%20%u2013%20I%20still%20have%20one%20year%20to%20go%20as%20Past-President.%20I%20still%20continue%20as%20a%20co-opted%20officer%20of%20%5BInclusion%20International.%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/%29%0A%0A**There%20are%20so%20many%20people%20I%20ought%20to%20thank.**%20But%20they%20are%20simply%20too%20many%20to%20list%20here.%20So%2C%20I%20just%20wish%20to%20express%20my%20deepest%20gratitude%20to%20each%20and%20every%20one%20you%20who%20I%20have%20been%20able%20to%20meet%20with%2C%20write%20with%2C%20discuss%20with%2C%20work%20with%20and%20become%20friends%20with%20during%20my%20years%20of%20service%20as%20a%20Board%20member%20and%20as%20President%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%21%0A%0A%21%5BThree%20presidents.%20Maureen%20Piggot%2C%20Jeanne%20Nicklas-Faust%2C%20Jyrki%20Pinomaa.%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/eb6b28abc1ebdee1d77763308.jpeg%29%0A%0A%0A*In%20this%20picture%20are%20two%20fantastic%20ladies%20-%20my%20predecessor%20Maureen%20Piggot%20%28to%20the%20left%29%20and%20my%20successor%20Jeanne%20Nicklas-Faust.*","/i-might-be-leaving-inclusion-europe-but-inclusion-europe-and-the-global-movement-will-never-leave-me","2026-06-12T14:06:32.000Z","2026-07-15T10:52:43.000Z",{"idx":3018,"title":3019,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3020,"picture":3021,"content_e2r":418,"content":3022,"excerpt":132,"default_type":29,"url":3023,"created_at":3024,"modified_at":3024,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},311,"Mental health care must respect own will, preferences, and informed consent - New recommendation by Council of Europe"," Council of Europe,Stop Ovieod,mental health",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"The%20Council%20of%20Europe%20adopted%20new%20Recommendation%20on%20autonomy%20in%20mental%20health%20care.%20%0A%20%0AThe%20Recommendation%20says%20that%20people%27s%20**own%20will%2C%20preferences%2C%20and%20informed%20consent%20must%20be%20at%20the%20centre%20of%20mental%20health%20care%2C**%20rather%20than%20decisions%20being%20made%20for%20them.%0A%20%0AInclusion%20Europe%20is%20one%20of%20ten%20organisations%20who%20advocated%20for%20this%20Recommendation.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Stop%20Oviedo%20-%20campaing%20continues%0A%0AApproving%20of%20the%20reccommendation%20is%20a%20good%20development%2C%20but%20discussions%20for%20the%20adoption%20of%20the%20Draft%20Protocol%20of%20the%20Oviedo%20Convention%20continue.%0A%0AThis%20Protocol%20would%20allow%20forced%20treatment%20in%20mental%20health%20care%20settings.%20%0A%0ATogether%20with%20%5Bour%20partner%20organisations%20we%20call%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/publications/joint-statement-council-of-europe-takes-a-positive-step-on-autonomy-in-mental-health-care/%29%20on%20the%20Council%20of%20Europe%20countries%20to%20fully%20implement%20this%20recommendation%2C%20including%20through%3A%0A%0A*%20Legislative%20reforms%2C%20policy%20initiatives%20and%20investments%20in%20community-based%20services%3B%0A*%20Meaningful%20involvement%20of%20persons%20with%20lived%20experience%20in%20the%20design%2C%20delivery%2C%20and%20evaluation%20of%20mental%20health%20policies.%0A%0AThis%20is%20essential%20to%20ensure%20that%20autonomy%20and%20human%20rights%20are%20not%20only%20recognised%20in%20principle%20but%20realised%20in%20practice.%0A%20%0A%23%23%23%20Segregation%0A%20%0AOver%2037%20000%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20are%20segregated%20in%20psychiatric%20hospitals%20says%20the%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%202025%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2025-key-findings%29%20report.","/mental-health-care-must-respect-own-will-preferences-and-informed-consent---new-recommendation-by-council-of-europe","2026-06-18T08:50:12.000Z",{"idx":3026,"title":3027,"author":10,"article_type":659,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3028,"picture":3029,"content_e2r":10,"content":3032,"excerpt":10,"default_t
80ype":29,"url":3033,"created_at":3034,"modified_at":3035,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},312,"Person-centred planning: Conversation with Milena Johnová about inclusion (and segregation) in Czechia","Inclusion Europe Radio,person-centred planning,deinstitutionalisation, Czechia",{"alt":3030,"picture":3031},"Milena Johnova: Person centred planning and deinstitutionalisation. Inclusion Europe Radio","https://str.inclusion.eu/2b6364444dbdeaface564a300.png","Milena%20Johnov%E1%20has%20just%20published%20the%20first%20book%20on%20person-centred%20planning%20written%20in%20Czech.%20In%20a%20conversation%20recorded%20for%20%5BInclusion%20Europe%20Radio%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/podcast%29%20she%20talks%20about%20why%20the%20book%20was%20needed%2C%20what%20she%20learned%20while%20writing%20it%2C%20and%20what%20it%20actually%20takes%20to%20help%20someone%20move%20from%20an%20institution%20into%20a%20life%20of%20their%20own.%0A%0AMilena%20Johnov%E1%20is%20an%20expert%20in%20person%20centred%20planning%20and%20an%20advocate%20for%20inclusion.%20She%u2019s%20been%20involved%20in%20Czech%20social%20policy%20for%20a%20long%20time%2C%20including%20in%20developing%20and%20implementing%20new%20laws%20and%20approaches%20to%20protect%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities.%20Johnov%E1%20was%20councilor%20of%20Prague%2C%20responsible
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800from%20Lithuania%20and%20Mushegh%20Hovsepyan%20from%20Armania.%20%20%0A%0A**Read%20also%3A**%0A%0A*%20Inclusion%20International%3A%20%5BThe%20CRPD%20Turns%2020%3A%20Rights%20Must%20Mean%20Something%5D%28https%3A//inclusion-international.org/news-item/the-crpd-turns-20-rights-must-mean-something/%29%0A*%20EDF%3A%20%5B20%20Years%20of%20the%20CRPD%3A%20Role%20of%20Organisations%20of%20Persons%20with%20Disabilities%5D%28https%3A//www.edf-feph.org/20-years-of-the-convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-cosp-side-event-highlights-the-role-of-organisations-of-persons-with-disabilities/%29","/20-years-of-the-un-crpd","2026-06-25T17:57:21.000Z",{"idx":3065,"title":3066,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3067,"picture":3068,"content_e2r":10,"content":3071,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":3072,"created_at":3073,"modified_at":3074,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},316,"Deinstitutionalisation starts with people building relationships","deinstitutionalisation,independent living,Europe in Action 2026,Ebba Olsson,Slovenia, Lithuania",{"alt":3069,"picture":3070},"Blog by Ebba Olsson","https://str.inclusion.eu/404bcbba742a301edb67f8400.png","***Ebba%20Olsson%2C**%20Inclusion%20Europe%20research%20assistant%2C%20writes%20about%20%5BEurope%20in%20Action%202026%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2026%29%20conference%3A*%0A%0A%u201CDeinstitutionalisation%20is%20a%20big%20word%20for%20many%20things%2C%u201D%20said%20Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%20in%20the%20Europe%20in%20Action%20workshop%20on%20deinstitutionalisation.%20%0A%0ASo...%20what%20does%20it%20really%20mean%3F%20%0A%0AFor%20one%20thing%2C%20deinstitutionalisation%20means%20closing%20institutions.%20Institutions%20are%20places%20where%20people%20live%20separated%20from%20everyday%20life%20and%20the%20community.%20Institutions%20take%20away%20people%u2019s%20control%20over%20their%20own%20lives.%20%0A%0ABut%20deinstitutionalisation%20is%20about%20more%20than%20closing%20these%20buildings.%20%0A%0AIt%27s%20all%20about%20people.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20People%20working%20together%20to%20make%20sure%20everyone%20can%20live%20in%20the%20community.%20%0A%0AOne%20dimension%20of%20it%20was%20illustrated%20by%20presentations%20by%20Katarina%20Mauch%20and%20Rasa%20Genien%u0117.%0A%20%0AKatarina%20Mauch%20spoke%20about%20Slovenia%2C%20where%20multidisciplinary%20teams%20support%20people%20to%20leave%20institutions.%20%0A%0AThese%20are%20**teams%20of%20professionals%20and%20peer%20supporters**%20who%20work%20with%20people%20living%20in%20institutions.%20Together%2C%20they%20plan%20the%20move%20into%20the%20community%20and%20the%20support%20needed%20in%20everyday%20life.%20%0A%0AThe%20peer%20supporters%20play%20an%20important%20role%2C%20as%20they%20are%20people%20who%20lived%20in%20institutions%20themselves.%20They%20bring%20experience%20that%20cannot%20be%20learned%20just%20by%20going%20to%20a%20training%20or%20reading%20a%20document.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Being%20creative%20to%20reach%20people%20in%20institutions%0A%0AThe%20teams%20have%20a%20lot%20of%20work%20ahead%20of%20them%20because%20many%20people%20still%20live%20in%20institutions%20in%20Slovenia.%20Reaching%20people%20inside%20institutions%20is%20not%20always%20easy.%20%0A%0A%u201CThe%20teams%20have%20to%20be%20very%20creative%20on%20how%20to%20make%20contact%20with%20people%20who%20live%20institutions%2C%22%20Katarina%20Mauch%20said.%20%22Some%20decided%20just%20to%20go%20and%20wander%20around%20the%20institution%20%u2018accidentally%u2019%20and%20meet%20people.%u201D%20%0A%0AIt%20made%20me%20think%20about%20how%20**this%20kind%20of%20work%2C%20%u2018wandering%20around%20accidentally%20and%20meet%20people%u2019%2C%20would%20never%20be%20spelled%20out%20in%20a%20policy**%20document%20on%20deinstitutionalisation.%20%0A%0ABut%20it%20is%20exactly%20this%20work%20that%20makes%20change%20possible.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20People%20building%20connections%2C%20solving%20problems%2C%20working%20together%20%0A%0ARasa%20Genien%u0117%20talked%20about%20her%20experience%20in%20Lithuania%3A%20What%20they%20are%20trying%20to%20do%20before%20someone%20enters%20an%20institution.%20%0A%0AShe%20explained%20that%20many%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20do%20not%20receive%20support%20early%20enough.%20%20%0A%0AGetting%20support%20early%20prevents%20institutionalisation%20and%20avoids%20its%20long-term%20impact%20on%20people%u2019s%20lives.%20%20%0A%0AThat%20is%20why%20a%20model%20of%20%u2018case%20managers%u2019%20is%20now%20being%20used%20in%20Lithuania.%20%0A%0A**Case%20managers**%20work%20directly%20with%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20families%2C%20helping%2
800them%20understand%20what%20support%20exists%20and%20how%20to%20access%20it.%20%20%0A%0AThey%20also%20connect%20different%20services%2C%20so%20people%20are%20not%20left%20to%20navigate%20the%20system%20alone.%20%0A%0A%22We%20go%20out%2C%20we%20knock%20on%20doors%2C%22%20Rasa%20Genien%u0117%20explained%20about%20how%20the%20case%20managers%20work.%20%22Lithuania%20is%20not%20a%20big%20country%20and%20municipalities%20are%20small%2C%20so%20we%20can%20do%20this.%20People%20and%20families%20talk%20to%20each%20other%20about%20the%20case%20management%20model%2C%20and%20more%20and%20more%20people%20get%20involved.%u201D%20%0A%0AAgain%2C%20it%20made%20me%20think%20about%20how%20all%20this%20comes%20down%20to%20people%20working%20together.%20%0A%0AAfter%20the%20workshop%2C%20I%20spoke%20with%20Rasa%20and%20two%20case%20managers.%20What%20stood%20out%20most%20was%20how%20much%20their%20work%20relies%20on%20building%20trust.%20%0A%0A**People%20need%20someone%20who%20reaches%20out%2C%20listens%2C%20and%20stays%20with%20them.**%20This%20kind%20of%20support%20makes%20people%20trust%20that%20they%20can%20stay%20in%20their%20communities.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Building%20relationships%20builds%20choice%20and%20control%0A%0ALeaving%20the%20workshop%20on%20deinstitutionalisation%2C%20what%20did%20I%20learn%20from%20Slovenia%20and%20Lithuania%3F%20%0A%0AThat%20changing%20buildings%20is%20visible%20and%20measurable.%20%20%0A%0AThat%20building%20relationships%20and%20support%20takes%20more%20time%20%28and%20some%20creativity%21%29.%20%20%0A%0ABut%20it%20is%20working%20together%20and%20building%20relationships%20that%20people%20gain%20real%20choice%20and%20control%20in%20their%20lives.%20","/deinstitutionalisation-starts-with-people-building-relatinships","2026-06-26T09:45:54.000Z","2026-06-26T12:52:27.000Z",{"idx":3076,"title":3077,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3078,"picture":3079,"content_e2r":10,"content":3082,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":3083,"created_at":3084,"modified_at":3085,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},317,"A lot of progress but the battle isn't finished","Inclusion Europe,Europe in Action 2026,Mari Paz Jiménez Varona",{"alt":3080,"picture":3081},"Blog by Mari Paz Jiménez Varona","https://str.inclusion.eu/404bcbba742a301edb67f8401.png","***Mari%20Paz%20Jim%E9nez%20Varona%2C**%20Inclusion%20Europe%20policy%20assistant%2C%20writes%20about%20%5BEurope%20in%20Action%202026%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-in-action-2026%29%20conference%3A*%0A%0AFive%20hundred%20people%20filled%20the%20room%20in%20Vicenza%20when%20Maureen%20Piggot%20took%20the%20floor.%20%0A%0AFormer%20president%20of%20Inclusion%20Europe%2C%20she%20had%20been%20asked%20a%20simple%20question%3A%20What%20has%20changed%20in%20the%20past%20twenty%20years%3F%20%0A%0A%22Families%20hid%20their%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%22%20she%20said.%20%22And%20now%20that%20does%20not%20happen.%22%20%0A%0AIt%20didn%27t%20feel%20like%20ancient%20history.%20It%20strikes%20me%20how%20recently%20%5Bthis%20happened%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/parents-no-longer-have-to-hide-their-children/%29%20%u2014%20recent%20enough%20that%20people%20in%20that%20room%20had%20lived%20it.%20%0A%0AMaureen%20continued%20with%20another%20perspective%20on%20how%20things%20changed.%0A%0A%22People%20with%20Down%20syndrome%20died%20when%20they%20were%2020-years-old%2C%22%20she%20said.%20%22Now%20we%20know%20that%20there%20is%20a%20longer%20life%20expectancy.%22%20%0A%0AThis%20makes%20me%20think%20how%20important%20it%20is%20to%20look%20back%20and%20to%20not%20forget.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20To%20live%20in%20the%20community%0A%0AThen%20a%20self-advocate%20from%20Spain%20took%20the%20microphone.%20%0A%0AShe%20didn%27t%20speak%20in%20statistics.%20She%20spoke%20about%20her%20own%20life%20%u2014%20the%20before%20and%20the%20after.%20%0A%0A%22Before%2C%20I%20didn%27t%20have%20a%20job%2C%22%20she%20said.%20%22With%20time%2C%20things%20have%20changed.%20Now%20I%20have%20been%20able%20to%20have%20a%20paid%20job%20in%20the%20public%20administration%2C%20have%20a%20house%2C%20and%20live%20in%20the%20community.%22%20%0A%0AAcross%20the%20room%2C%20people%20nodded.%20For%20many%20of%20the%20families%20and%20self-advocates%20who%20had%20travelled%20to%20Vicenza%20from%2055%20countries%2C%20that%20sentence%20%u2014%20live%20in%20the%20community%20%u2014%20is%20still%20a%20goal%2C%20not%20a%20given.%20%0A%0AThey%20appreciated%20hearing%20it%20as%20something%20achieved%2C%20as%20something%20that%27s%20part%20of%20a%20person%27s%20life.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20To%20know%20your%20rights%0A%0AA%20self-advocate%20from%20Poland%20added%20his%20own%20line%20to%20the%20picture%3A%20%22Now%20I%20know%20my%20rights%2
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80others%20in%20the%20person%27s%20community%20to%20build%20support%20around%20those%20wishes.%0A%0AIt%20sounds%20simple.%20%0A%0ABut%20listening%20takes%20time.%20Trust%20takes%20time.%20Respecting%20a%20person%27s%20will%20and%20preferences%20takes%20commitment.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%u201CTo%20avoid%20conflicts%20of%20interest%2C%20service%20providers%20cannot%20simultaneously%20act%20as%20decision-making%20supporters.%u201D%0A%0AThis%20way%20of%20working%20has%20become%20part%20of%20the%20Som%20Fundaci%F3%20methodology.%20%20%0A%0AIt%20is%20person-centred%2C%20based%20on%20rights%2C%20and%20activated%20when%20the%20person%20decides%20they%20need%20support.%20It%20combines%20emotional%20support%2C%20planning%20for%20the%20future%20and%20coordination%20with%20people%20around%20them.%20%0A%0AThe%20approach%20has%20helped%20inspire%20one%20of%20the%20most%20important%20reforms%20in%20Europe.%20In%202021%20Spain%20adopted%20Law%208/2021%2C%20replacing%20guardianship%20with%20support%20measures%20that%20recognise%20that%20%5Ball%20people%20have%20legal%20capacity%20and%20have%20the%20right%20to%20make%20their%20own%20decisions%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/right-to-decide%29%20with%20the%20support%20they%20choose.%0A%0AThe%20law%20is%20very%20good%2C%20but%20it%20is%20the%20hard%20work%20of%20organisations%20like%20Som%20Fundaci%F3%20which%20makes%20it%20real%20for%20people.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20%u201CFamilies%20must%20be%20seen%20as%20partners%20in%20support%20planning%2C%20not%20legal%20substitutes.%u201D%20%0A%0AThe%20experience%20of%20Josep%2C%20Ra%FAl%20and%20the%20team%20at%20Som%20Fundaci%F3%20shows%20that%20supported%20decision-making%20is%20not%20only%20about%20changing%20laws.%20It%20is%20about%20building%20relationships.%20%0A%0AAs%20Europe%20continues%20its%20journey%20towards%20the%20full%20implementation%20of%20the%20right%20to%20decide%2C%20all%20of%20us%20have%20a%20role%20to%20play.%20%0A%0AWhether%20you%20are%20a%20family%20member%2C%20a%20professional%2C%20a%20friend%2C%20a%20neighbour%20or%20simply%20someone%20who%20believes%20in%20equal%20rights%2C%20the%20challenge%20is%20the%20same%3A%20%0A%0AHow%20can%20we%20%5Bsupport%20people%20to%20make%20their%20own%20decisions%2C%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/supported-decision-making%29%20instead%20of%20making%20decisions%20for%20them%3F%0A%0A**Read%20also%3A**%20Som%20Fundaci%F3%20%5Barticle%20about%20Europe%20in%20Action%5D%28https%3A//somfundacio.org/en/inclusion-europe-recognises-som-fundacios-supported-decision-making-model/%29%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%20%0A%0A%20","/the-change-is-mainly-cultural.-making-laws-about-support-in-decision-making-work","2026-06-26T10:32:51.000Z",{"idx":3096,"title":3097,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3098,"picture":3099,"content_e2r":10,"content":3102,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":3103,"created_at":3104,"modified_at":3105,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},319,"If you donât know how to navigate the system then you are lost and your child is too","young families,families,Young Families Project,Inge Volleberg,support services",{"alt":3100,"picture":3101},"Young Families Project Essay 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80ype":29,"url":3114,"created_at":3115,"modified_at":3116,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},320,"Briefing for the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union","EU Presidency,Ireland,Inclusion Ireland,Council of the EU",{"alt":3111,"picture":3112},"Logo of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU","https://str.inclusion.eu/d7fab10c4c124fb738051db00.jpeg","**How%20Ireland%20can%20lead%20for%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families**%0A%0AIreland%20will%20lead%20the%20Council%20of%20the%20European%20Union%20from%20July%20to%20December%202026.%20%0A%20%0AInclusion%20Europe%20and%20Inclusion%20Ireland%20wrote%20a%20briefing%20about%3A%0A%0A*%20What%20Ireland%20needs%20to%20do%20for%20rights%20and%20inclusion%20during%20their%20%5BPresidency.%5D%28https%3A//irish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/easy-to-read-presidency-of-the-council-of-the-european-union/%29%0A*%20What%20the%20situation%20in%20Ireland%20is%2C%20including%20good%20developments%20to%20be%20built%20on%20at%20the%20European%20level%20and%20what%20they%20can%20learn%20from%20other%20countries.%0A%0ARead%20in%20full%3A%20%5BHow%20Ireland%20can%20lead%20for%20inclusion%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/b231ee3651bf678e448a57f02.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0A%23%23%20Ireland%20should%20lead%20the%20European%20Union%20%28EU%29%20to%20progress%20toward%20full%20rights%20and%20inclusion.%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Assistive%20technology%0A%0AIreland%20has%20announced%20that%20it%20will%20focus%20on%20assistive%20technology%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities.%0A%0AThis%20is%20good%20news%20because%20assistive%20technologies%20are%20important%20to%20support%20people%20to%20live%20independently%20and%20be%20included%20in%20the%20community.%20%20%0AThe%20condition%2C%20though%2C%20is%20that%20it%20is%20affordable%20and%20accessible.%0AThe%20EU%20Presidency%20Conference%20on%20Assistive%20Technology%20in%20October%202026%20in%20Dublin%20represents%20an%20opportunity%20to%20address%20this%20topic.%0A%0AThere%20are%20many%20areas%20that%20we%20recommend%20Ireland%20bring%20forward%20during%20this%20conference%3A%20%20%0A%0A*%20**Education%3A**%20how%20assistive%20technology%20can%20be%20used%20to%20support%20inclusive%20education%2C%20academic%20skills%20development%20and%20communication.%0A*%20**Right%20to%20decide%3A**%20how%20it%20will%20be%20used%20to%20support%20the%20right%20to%20decide%2C%20for%20example%2C%20by%20helping%20communicate%20and%20understand%20will%20and%20preferences%2C%20especially%20for%20people%20with%20higher%20support%20needs.%0A*%20**Independent%20Living%3A**%20how%20assistive%20technology%20can%20be%20employed%20to%20access%20community-based%20support%20and%20housing%2C%20as%20well%20as%20support%20in%20using%20services%20like%20banking%2C%20healthcare%2C%20or%20transport.%0A*%20**Employment%3A**%20how%20assistive%20technology%20will%20be%20used%20to%20support%20access%20to%20work%2C%20adaptations%20of%20workplaces%2C%20and%20access%20to%20lifelong%20learning.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Participation%0A%0ADuring%20the%206%20months%20of%20EU%20Presidency%2C%20it%20is%20important%20that%20the%20Irish%20government%20involves%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%20in%20activities.%20%0A%0ATheir%20voices%20are%20necessary%20to%20build%20inclusive%20policies%20that%20reflect%20their%20lives.%0A%0AThis%20concerns%20both%3A%0A%0A*%20Participation%20in%20policymaking%3A%20self-advocates%20and%20their%20families%20have%20a%20say%20in%20policymaking%20discussions%20related%20to%20disability%20rights%2
80C%20but%20not%20exclusively%20those%3B%20they%20need%20to%20have%20a%20say%20in%20anything%20related%20to%20the%20community%20they%20live%20in.%0A*%20Participation%20in%20events%3A%20they%20should%20be%20able%20to%20participate%20and%20engage.%20This%20includes%20that%20events%20are%20accessible%2C%20including%20easy-to-read%20information%2C%20understandable%20discussions%2C%20and%20accessible%20venues.%20%20%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20EU%20disability%20policies%20%20%0A%0AThere%20are%205%20policy%20priorities%20that%20we%20recommend%20Ireland%20lead%20on%3A%0A%0A1.%20The%20EU%20Disability%20Strategy%3A%20Ireland%20should%20encourage%20Member%20States%20to%20take%20part%20in%20the%20EU%20Alliance%20on%20Independent%20Living.%20It%20aims%20to%20provide%20tools%20to%20support%20independent%20living%20and%20clear%20plans%20for%20closing%20institutions%20in%20the%20EU.%0A%0A2.%09The%20next%20EU%20Budget%202028-2035%3A%20The%20next%20EU%20long-term%20budget%20should%20lead%20efforts%20to%20secure%20EU%20funding%20for%20the%20inclusion%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20instead%20of%20using%20it%20to%20build%20new%20institutions.%20%0A%0A3.%09Equality%20Directive%3A%20there%20should%20be%20a%20push%20to%20adopt%20the%20directive%2C%20showing%20renewed%20commitment%20to%20prevent%20discrimination%20from%20happening%20in%20education%2C%20housing%2C%20healthcare%2C%20and%20other%20public%20services.%20%0A%0A4.%09Supported%20decision-making%3A%20Ireland%20should%20encourage%20Member%20States%20to%20commit%20to%20a%20transition%20from%20substitute%20decision-making%20to%20supported%20decision-making%20across%20the%20EU.%20%0A%0A5.%09EU%20Semester%3A%20EU%20countries%20must%20be%20required%20to%20share%20data%20on%20institutionalisation%20and%20create%20clear%20recommendations%20to%20improve%20deinstitutionalisation%20and%20community-based%20services.%0A%0A**Read%20in%20full%3A**%20%5BHow%20Ireland%20can%20lead%20for%20inclusion%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/b231ee3651bf678e448a57f02.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29","/briefing-for-the-irish-presidency-of-the-council-of-the-european-union","2026-06-29T15:46:11.000Z","2026-07-13T09:57:27.000Z",{"idx":3118,"title":3119,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3120,"picture":3121,"content_e2r":10,"content":3124,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":3125,"created_at":3126,"modified_at":3127,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},321,"Limited Choices: Housing and support for people with intellectual disabilities - Research Brief No.1","housing,support services,deinstitutionalisation,independent living,research",{"alt":3122,"picture":3123},"Limited Choices: Housing and support Research Briefing No.1","https://str.inclusion.eu/5384c59e7bce14f2a54d96a02.png","To%20understand%20why%20so%20many%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20lack%20access%20to%20independent%20living%2C%20this%20study%20investigates%20the%20housing%20and%20support%20situation%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Europe%20by%20examining%20survey%20data%20from%20organisations%20representing%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families.%20%0A%0AThe%20study%20aims%20to%20answer%20the%20following%20question%3A%20What%20challenges%20do%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20Europe%20face%20today%20in%20accessing%20housing%20and%20support%3F%0A%0A**Read%20the%20briefing%20here%3A**%20%5BLimited%20choices%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/5384c59e7bce14f2a54d96a00.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0A%21%5BVisualisation%20of%20houses%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/5384c59e7bce14f2a54d96a01.png%29%0A%0A%0ARead%20also%3A%20%0A%0A*%20%5BIssues%2C%20ideas%2C%20practices%20for%20housing%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/housing-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-issues-ideas-practices%29%0A*%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/indicators%29%0A*%20%5BWhat%20the%20EU%27s%20new%20Affordable%20Housing%20Plan%20means%20for%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20families%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/affordable-housing-plan-what-it-means-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-families%29%0A","/limited-choices-h
80ousing-and-support-research-brief","2026-07-13T17:24:06.000Z","2026-07-13T17:24:38.000Z",{"idx":3129,"title":3130,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3131,"picture":3132,"content_e2r":10,"content":3135,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":3136,"created_at":3137,"modified_at":3138,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},322,"The financial situation of the whole family is affected","young families,Young Families Project,Young Families,Inge Volleberg,money,support services",{"alt":3133,"picture":3134},"Young Families Project Essay 3","https://str.inclusion.eu/5384c59e7bce14f2a54d96a03.png","%23%23%23%23%20Financial%20hardships%3A%20family%20members%20balancing%20work%20and%20care.%0A%0AIn%20the%u202F**Young%20Families%20Project**%u202Fwe%20speak%20to%20parents%20and%20siblings%20of%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20about%20their%20lives.%20Our%20findings%20are%20presented%20in%20a%20series%20of%20essays.%20%0A%0AThis%20is%u202F**part%203**.%20%0A%0AIn%20this%u202F%5Bthird%20essay%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/5384c59e7bce14f2a54d96a04.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%20we%20focus%20on%20the%20financial%20hardships%20family%20members%20face%20who%20are%20balancing%20work%20and%20care.%20%0A%0AOur%20goal%20is%20to%20show%20how%20families%20of%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20struggle%20financially%2C%20the%20sacrifices%20they%20have%20to%20make%20and%20how%20difficult%20it%20is%20to%20balance%20work%20and%20care.%20%20%0A%0A%u201CThey%20don%u2019t%20allow%20you%20to%20just%20live%20a%20%u2018normal%20life%u2019%3A%20working%2C%20benefiting%20from%20all%20those%20years%20of%20studying%2C%20building%20a%20career%2C%20living%20your%20life.%20Instead%2C%20they%20tell%20you%20%u2018no%2C%20you%20don%27t%20get%20to%20do%20that%2C%20but%20we%20will%20give%20you%20a%20bit%20of%20money.%u2019%20So%2C%20%20yes%2C%20they%20give%20you%20some%20benefits%2C%20but%20it%20doesn%27t%20make%20any%20sense.%20This%20is%20not%20how%20it%27s%20supposed%20to%20be.%u201D%0A%0A**Read%20the%20full%20essay%20here%3A**%20%5BThe%20financial%20situation%20of%20the%20whole%20family%20is%20affected%20-%20Financial%20hardships%3A%20family%20members%20balancing%20work%20and%20care%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/5384c59e7bce14f2a54d96a04.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29%0A%0A%0A%0A%21%5BYoung%20Families%20Project%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/5384c59e7bce14f2a54d96a05.png%29%0A%0A%23%23%23%23%20Young%20Families%20Project%0A1.%20Introduction%3A%5B%20What%20parents%20and%20siblings%20of%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20every%20day.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/what-parents-and-siblings-of-children-with-intellectual-disabilities-face-every-day%29%0A2.%20%5BIf%20you%20don%u2019t%20know%20how%20to%20navigate%20the%20system%20then%20you%20are%20lost%20and%20your%20child%20is%20too.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/families-navigating-system%29%0A3.%20Financial%20hardships%20in%20the%20family%2C%20and%20the%20difficulty%20of%20balancing%20work%20and%20care.%0A4.%20%5BFighting%20for%20a%20good%20education%20for%20their%20loved%20one%20with%20an%20intellectual%20disability%2C%20and%20balancing%20school%20and%20care.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/if-this-school-had-not-worked-we-would-have-had-to-move%29%0A5.%20%5BStruggling%20with%20mental%20health%20and%20wellbeing%20and%20neglecting%20their%20own%20needs.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/nobody-is-really-ok-even-if-they-say-they-are%29","/financial-situation-of-family","2026-07-14T21:57:33.000Z","2026-08-26T10:29:08.000Z",{"idx":3140,"title":3141,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3142,"picture":3143,"content_e2r":3146,"content":3147,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":3148,"created_at":3149,"modified_at":3150,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},323,"Interview about Mi Casa project with Laura Espejo from Plena Inclusión","mi casa,Mi Casa project,Plena Inclusión,Plena inclusión,Spain,deinstitutionalisation,independent living,Community,intellectual disabilities,people with complex support needs",{"alt":3144,"picture":3145},"Laura Espejo on the Mi Casa project","https://str.inclusion.eu/37b5e26c227cb8ca5c54fea00.png","[{\"pic\": null, \"text\": \"In Europe, many people with intellectual disabilities still live in institutions. \\n \\nInstitutions are places where people with intellectual disabilities live \\nwith other people with intellectual disabilities. \\nPeople that live in institutions live apart from others and are excluded from the community. \\nThey also have to follow the rules of the institution \\nand cannot decide for themselves. \\n \\nThe organisation Plena Inclusion wanted to change that. \\nPlena Inclusion is an organisation from Spain that represents \\npeople with intellectual disabilities. \\nPlena Inclusion is also a member of Inclusion Europe. \\n \\nPlena Inclusion started a project called Mi Casa. \\nMi Casa means âMy Homeâ in Spanish. \\nThe Mi Casa project helped over 300 people with intellectual disabilities and complex support needs move out of institutions and into the community. \\n \\nPlena Inclusion started the Mi Casa project after the Spanish government and the European Union gave them money. \\nMi Casa started in 2022 and finished in 2024. \\n \\nMi Casa got a lot of good feedback from: \\n- the people who moved out of institutions, \\n- the communities into which they moved, \\n- the people that worked on the project. \\n \\nMi Casa is also helping the Spanish government with its deinstitutionalisation plan. \\n \\nThe plan wants people with intellectual disabilities and complex support needs to move out of institutions and into the community. \\n \\nThe plan also wants: \\n- more people with disabilities to live independently. \\n- to give people the support they need. \\n- to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. \\n \\nThe plan started in 2024. \\nThe plan will run until 2030. \\n \\nEvery 2 years, the Spanish government checks that everything is working well and changes the things that are not working. \\n \\nThe Mi Casa project is important. \\nMi Casa proves that change is possible. \\nAnd it shows the government in Spain \\nthat communities are better than institutions. \\n \\nIf you want to find out more about Mi Casa, \\nwatch the video. \\n\\n\u003Ciframe width=\\\"640\\\" height=\\\"360\\\" src=\\\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/uedb-0OcXOo\\\">\u003C/iframe>\"}, {\"pic\": null, \"text\": \"\"}]","In%20Europe%2C%20many%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20complex%20support%20needs%20still%20live%20in%20institutions.%20For%20many%2C%20the%20%5Black%20of%20support%20and%20housing%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/limited-choices-h
80ousing-and-support-research-brief%29%20means%20having%20to%20live%20in%20an%20institution%20as%20a%20last%20%28and%20often%20only%29%20option.%20%20%0A%0A%5BPlena%20Inclusi%F3n%5D%28https%3A//www.plenainclusion.org/%29%2C%20our%20Spanish%20member%20organisation%2C%20set%20out%20to%20change%20that%20through%20their%20project%20%u201C%5BMi%20Casa%20-%20a%20life%20in%20the%20community%5D%28https%3A//www.plenainclusion.org/conocenos/proyectos/ficha/proyecto-mi-casa/%29%u201D.%20Mi%20Casa%20means%20%u201Cmy%20home%u201D%20in%20Spanish.%20The%20project%20aimed%20to%20provide%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20complex%20support%20needs%20with%20a%20better%20way%20of%20life%20by%20helping%20them%20move%20from%20institutions%20into%20ordinary%20homes%20in%20the%20community.%20And%20it%20did.%20%0A%0A**313%20people**%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20complex%20support%20needs%20moved%20out%20of%20institutions%20during%20the%20Mi%20Casa%20project.%0A%0AThe%20project%20ran%20from%202022%20to%202024%20with%20support%20from%20the%20Spanish%20government%20and%20the%20European%20Union%u2019s%20Next%20Generation%20funds.%20It%20created%2069%20small%20community%20homes%20across%207%20regions%20of%20Spain.%20Around%204%20people%20lived%20in%20each%20home.%20Every%20person%20had%20an%20individual%20life%20plan%20and%20received%20personalised%20support.%20Community%20Connectors%20helped%20people%20build%20relationships%20and%20use%20services%20in%20their%20local%20area.%20%0A%0AMi%20Casa%20provided%20the%20**practical%20evidence%20that%20change%20is%20possible**.%20Project%20reports%20also%20helped%20public%20authorities%20understand%20the%20benefits%2C%20costs%20and%20impact%20of%20community%20living.%20The%20project%20also%20informed%20%5BSpain%27s%20Deinstitutionalisation%20Strategy%5D%28https%3A//estrategiadesinstitucionalizacion.gob.es/%29%2C%20which%20was%20launched%20in%20June%202024.%20The%20strategy%20aims%20to%20replace%20institutional%20care%20with%20personalised%20and%20community-based%20support.%20It%20focuses%20on%20independence%2C%20inclusion%20and%20quality%20of%20life.%20%20%0A%0AAround%20**80%25%20of%20the%20community%20homes%20created%20during%20the%20project%20remained%20open%20after%20it%20finished**.%20The%20project%20also%20helped%20change%20attitudes%20among%20professionals%2C%20public%20authorities%20and%20local%20communities.%20%20%0ATo%20find%20out%20more%20about%20the%20Mi%20Casa%20project%2C%20watch%20our%20video%20with%20**Laura%20Espejo**%2C%20Plena%20Inclusi%F3n%u2019s%20Deputy%20Director.%20%20%0A%0A%0A%23%23%0A%0A%0A%0A%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22640%22%20height%3D%22360%22%20src%3D%22https%3A//www.youtube.com/embed/uedb-0OcXOo%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E%0A%0A%23%23%0A%0ATo%20find%20out%20more%20about%20our%20work%20on%20%5Bdeinstitutionalisation%20and%20the%20right%20to%20live%20independently%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/independent-living%29%20%20have%20a%20look%20at%20this%3A%20%0A%0A-%20%5BInclusion%20Indicators%202025%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/inclusion-indicators-2025-key-findings%29%0A-%20%5BDeinstitutionalisation%20starts%20with%20people%20building%20relationships%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/deinstitutionalisation-starts-with-people-building-relatinships%29%0A-%20%5BPodcast%20with%20Milena%20Johnov%E1%20on%20person-centered%20planning%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/person-centred-planning-milena-johnova%29","/interview-mi-casa-project","2026-07-14T22:33:14.000Z","2026-07-17T18:00:17.000Z",{"idx":3152,"title":3153,"author":10,"article_type":207,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":60,"picture":3154,"content_e2r":10,"content":3157,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":3158,"created_at":3159,"modified_at":3160,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},324,"Why we care about education",{"alt":3155,"picture":3156},"âSchool is the manufactory of humanity.â (Comenius) We need schools where all students are together.","https://str.inclusion.eu/5384c59e7bce14f2a54d96a06.png","**%5BInclusion%20Europe%20position%20paper%20about%20inclusive%20education%5D%28http%3A//www.inclusion-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Education_PositionPaper2021_EN.pdf%29**%20%28PDF%2C%20first%20published%202021%29%0A%0ALiving%20in%20your%20own%20place.%20Having%20friends.%20Making%2
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806-07-15T09:41:05.000Z","2026-07-15T09:44:53.000Z",{"idx":3162,"title":3163,"author":10,"article_type":259,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3164,"picture":3165,"content_e2r":418,"content":3166,"excerpt":132,"default_type":29,"url":3167,"created_at":3168,"modified_at":3168,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},325,"What the EU Youth Strategy should do for people with intellectual disabilities and their siblings"," European Commission,siblings,young people",{"alt":132,"picture":10},"The%20EU%20Youth%20Strategy%20says%20it%20wants%20to%20Engage%2C%20Connect%20and%20Empower%20every%20young%20person.%20Inclusion%20Europe%20wants%20the%20Strategy%20to%20keep%20that%20promise%20for%20young%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20and%20their%20young%20family%20members%20too.%20%0A%0AWe%20met%20with%20Commissioner%20Micallef%20in%20July%20to%20share%20our%20ideas%20to%20make%20it%20happen%20with%20the%20next%20EU%20Youth%20Strategy.%20%0A%0AWe%20also%20submitted%20our%20%5Bwritten%20contribution%20to%20the%20strategy%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/9984b9213e60fc849a0f2b600.pdf%29%20%28PDF%29.%0A%0A%23%23%23%20Young%20people%20left%20behind%20%0A%0A**%5BWork%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/examples-and-ideas-for-employment-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities%29%20is%20hard%20to%20find%20for%20young%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disablities.**%20Only%20about%201%20in%2010%20of%20them%20have%20a%20job%20on%20the%20open%20labour%20market.%20In%2022%20EU%20countries%2C%20almost%20none%20do.%20%0A%0A**Many%20cannot%20live%20in%20the%20community.**%20More%20than%201%20million%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20the%20EU%20still%20live%20in%20institutions.%20Many%20were%20placed%20there%20as%20children.%20%0A%0A**%5BSchools%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/why-we-care-about-education%29%20often%20keeps%20them%20apart.**%20About%20570%2C000%20children%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20go%20to%20segregated%20special%20schools.%20They%20miss%20the%20friendships%20and%20skills%20that%20help%20build%20an%20ordinary%20adult%20life.%20%0A%0A**%5BSiblings%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/what-parents-and-siblings-of-children-with-intellectual-disabilities-face-every-day%29%20are%20forgotten.**%20Brothers%20and%20sisters%20of%20people%20with%20disabilities%20are%20missing%20from%20most%20youth%20policies.%20Many%20become%20carers%20when%20their%20parents%20grow%20older.%20Many%20worry%20about%20the%20future.%20%0A%0A%23%23%23%20What%20Inclusion%20Europe%20asks%20for%20%0A%0A**Engage%20%u2014%20let%20young%20people%20take%20part.**%20Name%20young%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20in%20the%20new%20Strategy.%20Let%20young%20self-advocates%20take%20part%20in%20decisions%20again%20and%20again%2C%20not%20just%20once.%20%0A%0ARecognise%20siblings%20as%20a%20priority%20too%2C%20with%20their%20own%20EU%20Youth%20Dialogue.%20Share%20information%20in%20easy-to-read%20and%20plain%20language%2C%20so%20more%20young%20people%20can%20understand%20it.%20%0A%0A**Connect%20%u2014%20bring%20people%20together.**%20Help%20young%20people%20connect%20with%20their%20communities%2C%20employers%2C%20schools%20and%20decision-makers.%20Make%20travel%20and%20exchange%20programmes%20like%20Erasmus+%20work%20for%20young%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%2C%20with%20accessible%20information%20and%20support%20for%20their%20needs.%20%0A%0A**Empower%20%u2014%20rights%2C%20choice%20and%20jobs.**%20Help%20EU%20countries%20support%20young%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20to%20find%20and%20keep%20a%20job%20on%20the%20open%20labour%20market.%20Support%20the%20move%20from%20segregated%20schools%2C%20jobs%20and%20homes%20to%20inclusive%20ones%20in%20the%20community.%20%0A%0A%20","/what-the-eu-youth-strategy-should-do-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-and-their-siblings","2026-07-23T14:57:48.000Z",{"idx":3170,"title":3171,"author":10,"article_type":321,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3172,"picture":3173,"content_e2r":10,"content":3176,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":3177,"created_at":3178,"modified_at":3179,"published":22,"highlighted":22,"archived":33},326,"Europe for Us - Supported decision-making","supported decision-making,Supported decision-making,Decision making,right to decide,right to vote,easy to read,easy-to-read and understand language,Europe for Us",{"alt":3174,"picture":3175},"Soufiane El Amrani in front of Inclusion Europe's signature pink background","https://str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd4801.png","Contents%20of%20the%20latest%20issue%3A%0A%0A-%20Celebrating%2025%20years%20
80of%20Europe%20for%20Us%0A-%20European%20Union%20News%0A-%20Self-Advocacy%20News%0A-%20Supported%20decision-making%3A%20What%20it%20is%20and%20why%20it%20matters%0A%20%20-%20Editor%27s%20note%0A%20%20-%20The%20right%20to%20make%20your%20own%20decisions%0A%20%20-%20What%20needs%20to%20change%3A%20Problems%0A%20%20-%20What%20needs%20to%20change%3A%20Solutions%0A%20%20-%20Examples%20of%20supported%20decision-making%20in%20Europe%0A%20%20-%20What%20you%20can%20do%0A-%20Glossary%0A%0ALanguage%20versions%3A%20%5BEnglish%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd4802.pdf%29%20-%20%5BNederlands%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd4803.pdf%29%20-%20%5BFrancais%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd4804.pdf%29%20-%20%5BDeutsch%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd4805.pdf%29%20-%20%5BEspa%F1ol%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd480c.pdf%29%20-%20%5BMagyar%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd4806.pdf%29%20-%20%5BItaliano%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd480d.pdf%29%20-%20%5BPortugu%EAs%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd4807.pdf%29%20-%20%5BSvenska%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd4808.pdf%29%20-%20%5B%u010Cesky%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd4809.pdf%29%20-%20%5BSlovenski%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd480a.pdf%29%20-%20%5B%u0423%u043A%u0440%u0430%u0457%u043D%u0441%u044C%u043A%u0438%u0439%5D%28https%3A//str.inclusion.eu/7373570e1eea202cffedd480b.pdf%29%0A%0ASubscribe%20to%20our%20%5Bmailing%20list%5D%28https%3A//e34b73c4.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFACxokgTbhuJCuLfAc2Ifim0DgELA4WZiFONtpBoE4S0ec508gn0-InlSjqcNtJ60bcnzL6g4NJCdADATuGTFAzAa_NHSaI6NeuYHsvfX66u4tPlKpl64o7Qx41IY1u3RKOuUD1Asg1dmHbNqZQ3GSLReo-j00e9wswdEtqO1GS8H1TTfFyOIsCt4mfbeWdglJD0kVCynxGf9%29%20to%20receive%20Europe%20for%20us%20magazine%20in%20your%20email.%0A%0A%5BPrevious%20issues%20of%20Europe%20for%20Us%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/europe-for-us-magazine%29%0A%0AThe%20Romanian%20version%20of%20this%20issue%20of%20Europe%20for%20Us%20will%20be%20published%20at%20a%20later%20time.%20","/europe-for-us-supported-decision-making","2026-08-11T18:04:22.000Z","2026-08-11T18:13:18.000Z",{"idx":3181,"title":3182,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3183,"picture":3184,"content_e2r":418,"content":3186,"excerpt":3187,"default_type":29,"url":3188,"created_at":3189,"modified_at":3189,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},327,"Healthcare cannot function as a reward for those who can navigate complex systems.","healthcare,Milan Å veÅepa",{"alt":132,"picture":3185},"https://str.inclusion.eu/52e840fd738bbe8846e7a9b00.jpeg","%22We%20don%27t%20ask%20for%20more%20than%20others%20-%20we%20only%20ask%20for%20what%20is%20ours.%20The%20right%20to%20health%20is%20the%20right%20to%20life.%22%0A%0AThis%20quote%20from%20Sesili%20Ghvinjilia%2C%20a%20self-advocate%20from%20Georgia%2C%20closes%20my%20piece%20in%20EuroHealthNet%20Magazine%3A%20%5B%u201CThe%20right%20to%20health%2C%20is%20the%20right%20to%20life.%u201D%5D%28https%3A//eurohealthnet-magazine.eu/the-right-to-health-is-the-right-to-life/%29%0A%0A%22Adults%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20die%20on%20average%2019.5%20years%20younger%20than%20the%20general%20population%2C%22%20finds%20the%20LeDeR%20report%20in%20England%2C%20UK.%0A%22Although%2C%20avoidable%20deaths%20have%20declined%20since%202021%2C%20the%20rate%20for%20adults%20with%20a%20learning%20disability%20who%20died%20in%202023%20is%20still%20nearly%20double%20the%20rate%20compared%20to%20the%20general%20population.%22%0A%0AIn%20the%20article%2C%20I%20write%20about%3A%0A%0A**Communication%20problem.**%20Health%20%5Binformation%5D%28/easy-to-read%29%20that%27s%20hard%20to%20understand.%20%0A%0A**Autonomy%20problem.**%20Procedures%20carried%20out%20without%20explanation.%0AAnd%20often%20without%20consent.%20Including%20%5Bforced%20sterilisation.%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/gender-%28in%29equality-of-women-and-girls-with-intellectual-disabilities-in-europe%29%0A%0A**Diagnostic%20problem.**%20Some%20health%20professionals%20assume%20a%20person%u2019s%20symptoms%20are%20part%20of%20intellectual%20disability%2C%20instead%20of%20recognising%2
800them%20as%20separate%20conditions%20that%20need%20treatment.%0A%0A**Family%20members%20impacted.**%20%5BParents%20and%20siblings%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/what-parents-and-siblings-of-children-with-intellectual-disabilities-face-every-day%29%20of%20people%20with%20intellectual%20disabilities%20face%20serious%20health%20consequences%20of%20inadequate%20support%2C%20and%20of%20having%20little%20time%20or%20energy%20left%20to%20attend%20to%20their%20own%20wellbeing.%0A%0A%5BHealthcare%5D%28https%3A//www.inclusion.eu/healthcare%29%20cannot%20function%20as%20a%20reward%20for%20those%20who%20can%20navigate%20complex%20systems.","Milan Å veÅepa wrote an article about healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities. ","/healthcare-cannot-function-as-a-reward-for-those-who-can-navigate-complex-systems.","2026-08-25T11:49:22.000Z",{"idx":3191,"title":3192,"author":10,"article_type":193,"menu_parent":10,"menu_position":10,"tags":3193,"picture":3194,"content_e2r":10,"content":3197,"excerpt":10,"default_type":29,"url":3198,"created_at":3199,"modified_at":3200,"published":22,"highlighted":33,"archived":33},328,"Europe knows how to do inclusion. It needs to do more of it.","Europe in Action 2026, Anffas, Lithuania,Slovenia,Italy,Spain,Milan Å veÅepa",{"alt":3195,"picture":3196},"Milan Å veÅepa","https://str.inclusion.eu/52e840fd738bbe8846e7a9b02.jpg","*Milan%20%u0160ve%u0159epa%20wrote%20this%20report%20from%20the%2021st%20Europe%20in%20Action%20conference%20in%20Vicenza.%20The%20report%20was%20published%20in%20Anffas%27%20newsletter%20%5BLa%20Rosa%20Blu.%5D%28https%3A//www.flipbookpdf.
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vendor: 1 bytes, line 80
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81</body></html>
Line numbers count LF bytes from the start of the resource, as the search results do. Vendor segments are library code the classifier recognised; they are stored but not indexed. Bytes are shown as Latin1 characters, one per byte.