ARFIE can be proud to have been actively involved in organizing the EAMHID international conference “Unleashing talent embracing diversity” under the patronages of the European Association for Mental Health in Intellectual Disability, an NGO that has been a partner of our association for many years now.
The conference, which took place this year in September in Ghent (Belgium), was a great success! Not only because of the high turnout: more than 1,000 registered participants, 400 requests for contributions, and 64 posters!
The new way of organizing the first half-day of the congress was also a great success: more than 200 registrations for the pre-courses and for the study visits on the ground!
The most impressive thing for us was to see, after years of combined efforts, that we had been able to take a first and important step forward, together with the local organizers, to make this scientific conference a little more accessible and inclusive. The expertise in the field of self-determination and co-production developed during ARFIE’s latest European projects was put into practice both in the organization and development of the conference and in the symposiums presented during these three days of exchange!
Two symposiums were prepared and presented by our beneficiaries:
- Supporting the self-representation of people with disabilities is a challenge and a major issue in order to promote their inclusion and empowerment. It requires both a strategic plan at the organizational level, as well as specific training and tools. Self-representatives and facilitators from 4 associations and 3 countries (Luxembourg, Switzerland and France) will share their experiences and perspectives and present their organisations and tools. – Fovham (Suisse), APEMH et Tricentenaire (Luxembourg) et Les Genêts d’Or (France)
- Enable people with disabilities to express themselves and participate in media production and creation to combat stereotypes. Transform the social representation of disability by promoting a more inclusive image, equipping participants with the tools to narrate their experiences. (Fovham (Suisse) et APEMH (Luxembourg)
Three other symposiums, presented by professionals involved in our members’ services, addressed the following topics:
- Co-production in all its forms
- Practical implementation of self-determination in care facilities for people with disabilities : challenges and opportunities
- Digital skills for independent living – the SKILLS initiative
It should also be noted that these contributions appear in the book “Autodétermination et pouvoir d’agir dans le monde du handicap” (Self-determination and empowerment in the world of disability) (see article below).
Last but not least, it should also be noted that this collaboration has put us in touch withassociations involved in research and in-depth studies in the field of disability, who are now willing to participate in joint projects, which is one of ARFIE’s objectives!
