Rationale of the conference

Disability support services across Europe and beyond continue to face increasing pressure to respond to complex social, economic and organisational challenges. Service providers need to adapt to a changing society, while ensuring that support remains firmly rooted in the principles of human rights and self-determination.

Organisational change is essential. Disability services are required to strengthen their capacity to deliver person-centred, community-based support by modernising governance and management models, improving organisational efficiency and embracing digitalisation, sustainability and cross-sector collaboration.

In this context, EASPD and Humanitas (Portuguese Federation for Intellectual Disability) co-hosted the international conference “Leading change in disability services: Strengthening capacity for person-centred support” in Porto, Portugal, on 14–15 May 2026. The conference brought together disability service leaders and professionals to explore how to drive meaningful and sustainable organisational change.

Over the two days, participants examined how disability support services can rethink their models of support and respond effectively to current and future challenges. The programme explored strategies to modernise organisational structures, strengthen leadership and support services in navigating staff shortages and financial pressures, while maintaining a strong focus on inclusion and community-based approaches.

The conference also examined the legal and policy frameworks at international and national level that shape disability services and influence organisational change. Discussions considered how policy can enable services to innovate, collaborate across sectors, and better support people with disabilities, their families and informal carers.

PowerPoint Presentations

DIGIT-ABLE Training Session- Assistive technologies at work: Removing barriers and unlocking human potential

Workshops Round 1

• HR Management 1: Unlocking strengths at work for well-being, collaboration and performance

         Speakers: Taija Halme and Essi Vainonen (Tukena)

• Finance 1: Building financial efficiency through cross-sector collaboration

         Speakers: Philip Vanneste (Groep Gidts) and Katie McVey (Enable) 

• Comms 1: Collaborating, communicating and building trust in territorial services

         Speakers: Marta Burgell and Anna Homs (Associació Alba) 

• Capacity Building 1: Building resilience for quality disability support

         Speaker: Katalin Galambos (Semmelweis) 

Workshops Round 2

• Leadership 2: Redefining the Balanced Scorecard to lead change in disability services

         Speaker: Aileen Fitzpatrick (National Learning Network - Rehab Group)

• HR Management 2: Addressing gender equality, work-life balance and inclusive culture in disability support

         Speakers: Dionysios Serras (VTC MARGARITA) and Clara Massé (EASPD), EQUALCARE project

• Finance 2: Building funding models for efficiency and long-term sustainability

         Speakers:  Fabrizio Serra and Giulia Musso (Fondazione Paideia)  

• Comms 2: Partnering with purpose: Advocacy pathways for sustainable impact

         Speaker: Albin Falkmer (Samhall) 

• Capacity Building 2: Driving human-centred digital transformation: From ambition to adoption

         Speaker:  Lieven Bossuyt (Lichtwerk.io), DigitAble Project 

• Capacity Building 2: Belonging, diversity and well-being: How inclusive cultures help teams flourish in disability services

         Speakers: Mónica Pinheiro Godinho Silva and Paula Paixão Senra (APPFHS)

Workshops Round 3

• HR Management 3: Lean Management as a lever for organisational transformation and team empowerment

  • Instructions for GEMBA
  • Instructions for Method 5S
  • Instructions for Stand Up Meeting
  • Instructions for Visual Management

         Speaker: Anne-Marie Lemessager (VYV3)  

• Finance 3: Beyond cost: Measuring the true value of disability services with BENEFITS

         Speaker:  Petra Rantamaki, Tukena