Disability support services leading change to deliver on the EU Strategy for disability rights
On 14-15 May, the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD), together with the Portuguese Federation for Mental Disabilities (Humanitas) gathered over 300 disability service professionals in Porto, Portugal, to showcase how disability services can lead change management to better support people in their daily lives.
The conference took place at a key moment for the disability sector, following the launch of the second phase of the EU Strategy for the Rights of persons with disabilities, by the European Commission on 6 May.
Disability services across Europe play a central role in supporting people with disabilities to live independently and participate in their communities. To do so effectively, services need to develop new organisational models to deliver on inclusive care and support, employment, education and training.
Hosted on 14-15 May, the EASPD Conference ‘Leading Change in Disability Services’ brought together internationally recognised experts and disability services leaders to identify how services can manage and shapeorganisational change.
Speaking at the conference, Kirsi Konola, EASPD President, highlighted “The renewed European Disability Strategy sets out an important vision for a more inclusive Europe. Disability services are essential to turn this vision into reality. To do so, we need courage, collaboration, financial sustainability and modern workforce frameworks that support and value staff. These are exactly the priorities we have been exploring these last days..”
EASPD Secretary General? Thomas Bignal added, “The disability services sector is not waiting for change to happen; it is already driving it. Service providers across Europe are redesigning support around what people want and need in their everyday lives. The challenge now is ensuring that European and national policies create the conditions at every level that facilitate rather than hinder this transformation.”
A key highlight of the conference was the presentation of the EASPD Innovation Awards, recognising best practices in organisational development, including person-centred support, inclusive workplace cultures, digital innovation, sustainability and partnership. By showcasing these achievements, the Awards encourage the exchange of practices that can inspire change towards person-centred, adaptable, and future-oriented services.
The conference called on European and national policymakers to work together with disability service providers, people with disabilities and their representative organisations. The next phase of the European Disability Strategy must deliver meaningful change in practice, supported by sustainable investment in disability services and the social sector more broadly, and ensure greater recognition of the role services play in supporting people to live and participate in their communities.
Supporting Documents.
For more information, please contact:
Irene Bertana, Interim Head of Policy, EASPD
Note to editors:
The European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) is the leading voice of disability services across Europe. Representing over 20,000 services in 50 different countries, we promote human rights and equal opportunities for people with disabilities through effective and high-quality support.
Our work focuses on key areas essential to quality support provision. This includes Inclusive Living, Employment, Education, Early Childhood Intervention, Person-Centred Technology, Workforce Development and Human Resources, Arts, Culture & Sport, and Policy Impact.