Rationale of the conference

Many people with disabilities still rely on their families for their care needs. Their parents, siblings and extended family often have to figure out complicated legal and social systems all by themselves. 

This reliance on informal support raises important questions about the needs, priorities, and challenges faced by persons with disabilities, their families, and support services. Disability services need to include support for families of people with disability. 

EASPD, the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities co-hosted a conference with Fondazione Paideia, “Empowering families, enabling self-determination: rethinking support at every life stage”. The conference took place in Turin, Italy on 20-21 October 2025.

Across the two days, we examined the critical intersections between family life and disability services. It addressed how services can respond to evolving needs, uphold human rights, and foster meaningful collaboration with persons with disabilities, their families, friends, carers, and communities. 

Speakers and participants explored how family policies across Europe shape caregiving responsibilities, and how support services can better collaborate with families to promote self-determination and well-being. Discussions highlighted strengths-based alliances between services and families with a focus to key life transitions, and the needs of caregivers and persons with disabilities as they age.

PowerPoint Presentations

Workshop 1

• EarlyBrain, Empowering families in early childhood intervention

Workshop 2

• Petagma, Side by Side: Siblings as allies, advocates, and individuals​ / Video

         Speakers Zoe Ioannou​ and Vasilis Kalopisis

Workshop 3

• It takes a village: Stories and practices of supportive networking

         Speakers Andrea Dondi and Ann De Winter

Workshop 4

• GUIDE the way: shaping guardianship for young unaccompanied migrants with disabilities

         Speakers Lyzaveta Drannikova and Giulia Pani 

Workshop 5

• Addressing the gender dimension and wellbeing in care and support

         Speakers Marco Socci and Ana Ramovš

Workshop 6

• Who cares for the young carers? Listening, identifying, supporting

          Speaker Giulia Lanfredi

• Who cares for the young carers? Listening, identifying, supporting YC: a pilot case in the Metropolitan Area of Bologna

          Speaker Sara Branchini

Workshop 7

• Your body, your voice: Sexuality, autonomy and disability

         Speakers Elisa Costantino and Margherita Mioni

Workshop 8

• Supporting life’s transitions: From education to vocational training and work

        Speakers Wolfgang Plaute, Wim Rongé, Cristina Rago and Giorgia Salvadori

Workshop 9

• Paidea, Building community connections and inclusive spaces​ 

         Speaker​ Alice Zullo​

• Tukena, ICALL project / Video

         Speakers Petra Rantamäki and Johanna Huhtala

• Paradigma, Building community connections and inclusive spaces / Video

         Speaker​ Eleonora Tonon​

Workshop 10

• Enabling autonomy through supported decision making and life planning

         Speaker Ernest Burés Fradera

Workshop 11

• Supporting relationship-rich citizenship – there is another way!

         Speakers Bob Rhodes and Kevin Barnes

Workshop 12

• Community living through co-housing and personal assistance

         Speakers Ludmila Malcoci, Sophie Vankriekinge and Virginia Defranciscis

Workshop 13

• Leveraging technology for empowering people and care and support ecosystems

         Speakers Carla Crivellari and Massimiliano Malavasi

Workshop 14

• Dopo di noi and Som futur: When primary caregivers are no longer able to provide support​

  ​Speakers Raúl Olivera, Josep Tresserras, Giuseppe Arconzo and Giada Ragone​

Workshop 15

• UNAPEI, Families and disability services: from exclusion to co-creation

         Speakers Jyrki Pinomaa and Maarit Aalto