Programme

Early childhood is a crucial development stage where families of children with disabilities face unique challenges. This workshop will conclude the EarlyBrain Project and explore how best to support young children and their families and the role of inclusive, family-centred Early Childhood Intervention policies in ensuring the right support from the start.

Moderator: Eric Bloemkolk, Soft Tulip (TBC)

Speakers: 

• Miguel Buitrago, Learning and Development Officer, EASPD
• Agapi Papadaki, Amimoni
• Mar Palenzuela Saus, IRENEA
• Eleonora Drago, Consultant, Istituto di Gestalt
• Magdalena Tsoneva, Manager Training & Research, Karin Dom
• Clara Massé, Junior Policy Officer, EASPD
• Nuria Robles, Manager of Fab Lab León (Digital Fabrication Laboratory), Fundación TMA
• Sebastian Gonzalez, Policy and Advocacy Officer for Disability and Care Policies, COFACE Families Europe

Interpretation in Italian and captioning in English and Italian will be provided during this session.

Siblings of individuals with disabilities often play powerful and complex roles across a lifetime. This workshop will spotlight sibling perspectives and identify how support services can successfully expand their support to siblings and strengthen family connections. 

Moderator: Inge Volleberg, Researcher & coordinator, Inclusion Europe

Speakers:

• Márton Miholina, Self-advocate and sibling of a brother with an intellectual disability
• Zoe Ioannou, Member of Petagma siblings group
• Vasilis Kalopisis, Director, Petagma

This workshop brings together Paideia’s peer support work with fathers and grandparents, and the CONNECTIVE CARE podcast’s powerful stories from mothers across Europe showcasing how diverse family voices build stronger support networks.

Moderator: Timothy Ghilain, EASPD

Speakers:

• Andrea Dondi, Fondazione Paideia
• Ann De Winter, General coordinator, Mediander
• Sara Garrebeek, Project Manager, Connective Care podcast

When a child is displaced and separated from their family, guardians play a vital role in ensuring the child's well-being and securing access to essential services. This roundtable will exchange ideas on the actions EU policymakers can take to strengthen support for guardians and promote the inclusion of children with disabilities in their new communities.

Speakers:

• Lyzaveta Drannikova, EASPD
• Giulia Pani, EU Project Manager, CESIE

Group moderators:

• Terry Smith, Project Manager, European Guardianship Network
• Mariya Yasenovska, Humanitarian Action Policy Officer, European Disability Forum
• Carine Leborgne, Child Participation Coordinator, Eurochild
• Ganna Dudinska, Senior Policy Advisor for Protection Pathway, International Rescue Committee
• Meron Knikman, Senior EU Advocacy Adviser, International Rescue Committee

This workshop combines the results of two projects. It will explore gender stereotypes in formal and informal care, to move towards good practices to strengthen their mental health and wellbeing.

Moderator:Maria Chiara Franco, Project Manager, Zero Project

Speakers:

• Marco Socci, IRNCA
• Ana Ramovš, Director, Anton Trstenjak Institute of Gerontology and Intergenerational Relations

This workshop will shed light on the state of play for young carers in Europe and explore how practical, local-level collaboration can make a real difference to the support that they receive.

Moderator: Ivana Davidovska, EASPD

Speakers: 

• Giulia Lanfredi, Project Officer, Eurocarers
• Sara Branchini, Centro Studi Antartide

People with disabilities are too often excluded from conversations on sexuality and relationships. This workshop will explore how families and services can move towards rights-based support and empower people with disabilities to define their own lives, bodies and relationships.

Moderator: Vlado Krstovski, Poraka

Speakers:

• Elisa Costantino, Self-advocate, activist
• Margherita Mioni, Psychologist

Transitioning from education to vocational training or employment is a critical stage for young people, particularly for those with disabilities or additional support needs. This workshop will explore practical strategies and projects that support young people in moving from school to secondary education, vocational training, or work.

Moderator: Annemie Jennes, Katholiek Onderwijs Vlaanderen

Speakers: 

• Wolfgang Plaute, PH Salzburg
• Wim Rongé, Katholiek Onderwijs Vlaanderen
• Cristina Rago, Fondazione Compagnia Di San Paolo
• Giorgia Salvadori, Fondazione Compagnia Di San Paolo

Creating inclusive communities is essential for fostering a sense of belonging, dignity, and active participation for all. This workshop will explore practical tools and approaches that support the development and sustainability of communities where diversity is embraced and everyone feels welcome.

Moderator: Nóra Györke, EASPD

Speakers:

• Alice Zullo, Head of Volunteer Office and Activity Planning, Fondazione Paideia
• Eleonora Tonon, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Therapist, Cooperativa Paradigma
• Petra Rantamäki, Development Director, Tukena
• Johanna Huhtala, Service Designer, Tukena

Interpretation in Italian and captioning in English and Italian will be provided during this session.

This workshop will bring Italy’s Life Project Law and Spain’s person-centred Supported Decision-Making model into dialogue, exploring how services can foster rights-based personal planning systems grounded in autonomy, inclusion, and participation.

Modearator:  Javier Güemes Pedraza, Director of International Relations, ONCE

Speakers:

• Ferran Blanco, Head of Projects and Development, Fundació Support-Girona
• Chiara Basile, Head of Planning and Development, Time2 Foundation

Recognising that human connections shape our social, emotional, and economic well-being, this workshop will explore what defines a ‘best life’ and how services can play a complementary role in helping individuals achieve it.

Moderator: Alessia Sebillo, Head of Knowledge and Innovation, EASPD

Speakers:

• Bob Rhodes, Founder and President, LivesthroughFriends CIC
• Kevin Barnes, Head of Practice Development, WALK

This workshop will explore innovative models of community-based support that empower people with disabilities and older persons to live independently, while remaining connected to their communities.

Moderator: Theresa Shearer, Chief Executive Officer, Enable Scotland

• Ludmila Malcoci, Executive Director, Keystone Moldova and EASPD board member
• Sophie Vankriekinge and Virginia Defranciscis, Le Jardin Du Huitième Jour

In this workshop, we will hear directly from AIAS Bologna staff and service users about how  they are using technology to empower those who need support before opening the floor to learn from participants how they are using technology to create more person-centred support.

Moderators:

• Giulia Mignardi, Clinical Psychologist, AIAS

Speakers:

• Massimiliano Malavasi, Coordinator of R&D and Training Areas, AIAS Bologna

• Carla Crivellari, Service user, AIAS Bologna

This workshop explores how legal and community-based models in Italy and Catalonia support long-term autonomy for persons with disabilities beyond family care.

Moderator: Fabrizio Fea, Director, Associazione Scuola Viva onlus (Roma)

• Giuseppe Arconzo, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Milan
• Giada Ragone, Associate Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Milan
• Raúl Olivera, Social Worker and Technical Lead in Social Projects, Sóm Fundació

• Josep Tresserras Basela, Head of Institutional Relations, Som Fundació

Interpretation in Italian and captioning in English and Italian will be provided during this session.

Drawing on experiences from Finland and France this workshop will examine how professionals, persons with disabilities, and family members can co-create services that are more inclusive, responsive, and accountable.

Moderator: Rachel Vaughan, EASPD

Speakers:

• Anaïs Polvoreda, General Manager, ADAPEI
• Maarit Alto, Freelance trainer in Person-Centered Assistance
• Jyrki Pinoma, President, Inclusion Europe