Conclusions of the EASPD Conference in Turin (2025)
“Empowering families, enabling self-determination: Rethinking support at every life stage”
The recent EASPD Conference was extremely rich in conclusions, particularly in recognizing the need to revise the "special service" perspective of most service providers for persons with disabilities towards a more holistic approach that accompanies individuals throughout their lives.
"It reminded all service providers for persons with disabilities that the long-term care of persons with disabilities cannot be the sole responsibility of their families," wrote EASPD President Kirsi Konola in her note at the end of the Conference. Kirsi Konola, wrote in her note at the end of the conference. Instead, she said, families must have organized support, cooperation, and participation from service providers at all stages of the life of the person with a disability, with the goal of living in the community.
Several good practices were presented for supporting people with disabilities throughout their lives in the community by service providers, with the active participation of their families and the state.
At the same time, however, it was explicitly acknowledged that there is a significant lack of services across Europe that cover the full range of needs of families of persons with disabilities, who currently bear a disproportionate burden. Particular mention was made of the strong gender dimension of informal care, which, according to sociological data from across Europe shows that it mainly burdens women, making them "hostages" to the long-term care of their loved ones and violating their human rights.
Furthermore, all speakers acknowledged the significant lack of services for persons with disabilities and increased and/or special care needs throughout Europe, which poses a serious risk of institutionalization for them.
A common position/proposal to solve the problem, both from the perspective of formal and informal long-term care providers was that long-term care should officially become a shared responsibility between formal and informal carers, through the co-creation of social empowerment, integration, support, and care programs, with the common goal of strengthening and empowering the individual choices of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and happy life in the community.
The above comments were made by almost all the speakers, the President of EASPD, Kirsi Konola, and the President of the European network of informal carers EURO CARERS, John Dunne.
During the conference and the workshops in which the representative of the NET participated, the "attitude" of employees in formal long-term care for persons with disabilities, i.e., their "discomfort" or even refusal to provide or participate in primary care for persons with disabilities, which they usually wish to assign to purely auxiliary staff.
This attitude was recognized by many providers and many employees who participated in the workshops as as particularly humiliating for persons with disabilities, as dysfunctional in its application within institutions and, above all, as a violation of their human rights to maintain their human dignity.
The prevailing counterproposal was that service providers for persons with disabilities must first serve their rights as human beings and then their rights as persons with disabilities.
There, it was recognized that the training of employees in standard long-term care for persons with disabilities, regardless of their specialty, should not focus exclusively on "specialization," but to take a step "back to basics" and remind them that "we serve people first and persons with disabilities second."
It was precisely this last statement, "we serve people first and persons with disabilities second," that Stefania Ilinca, Technical Officer on long-term care at the WHO, focused her intervention at the Conference on.
Furthermore, in the concluding remarks of the final panel of the Conference, coordinated by EASPD Deputy Secretary General Timothy Ghilain, Inge Volleberg -INCLUSION EUROPE, and Julie Beadle-Brown -CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY LIVING NETWORK, in response to a question from T. Ghilain on long-term care for people with increased or special care needs, took a joint and very firm stance that
- a) long-term care in general for persons with disabilities, and in particular for persons with increased care needs, cannot continue to be "abandoned" to informal carers, as is the case in the majority of cases at present (as suggested by Inge Volleberg), and that
- b) no policy, program, or good practice for the long-term care of persons with disabilities should be prioritized and funded (as proposed by Julie Beadle-Brown) if it is not truly inclusive and does not contain very specific and applied provisions for persons with disabilities and increased and/or special care needs.
All of the above were summarised as conclusions of the Conference and became personal commitments of the President of EASPD, Kirsi Konola, in her personal statement issued at the end of the Conference.
*The above report was drafted by the chair of the Executive Committee of THE NET, Ms Julia Stavridou, who represented THE NET at the conference.
THE NET's meeting with the EPR Secretary General
On Monday, September 8, 2025, a meeting was held at THE NET's office between the President, Mr. George Papadakis, the Secretary General of THE NET, Ms. Katerina Giannakopoulou, and the Secretary General of the European Platform for Rehabilitation (EPR), Ms. Alicia Gómez Campos, with the participation of Ms. Nektaria Sifaki, member of the EPR Board.
The discussion focused on the Network's progress to date, the possibilities for strengthening cooperation with the EPR, and future joint actions at national and European level.
The meeting took place in a particularly positive spirit, confirming everyone's commitment to continuing our efforts to promote quality and social inclusion.
Moving forward together, building bridges of cooperation for the future!
Annual General and Statutory Assembly of the NET 2025
The Regular General and Statutory Assembly of THE NET 2025 was successfully concluded on Monday 28 April 2025, with the opening address by the Secretary General for Social Solidarity and Poverty Alleviation, Mr Prodromos Pyrros and the presence of the Secretary General for Demographic and Housing Policy of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, Mr Konstantinos Gloumis-Atsalakis.
The representatives of the institutions-THE NET’s members had the opportunity to listen to the actions and policies planned by the Ministry in relation to issues concerning the field of disability, the institutions and their beneficiaries and to ask questions to the Secretary General of Demographic and Housing Policy.
This year’s General Assembly included the amendment of THE NET’s statutes welcoming five new members from four cities in Greece: the Foundation for Care of Neurological Illnesses, the Workshop of Special Vocational Training and Rehabilitation “Panagia Eleousa”, the for Special Education Centre for Children and Adults with Disabilities (K.E.P.E.A.) “Horizontes”, the Mental and Social Rehabilitation Centre Amalthea and the Association for the Care of People with Disabilities of Rodopi “AXIZO”.
[show_post_tags]
Christmas Wishes
THE NET’s Board, representing its 20 members, wishes you a Merry Christmas and may 2025 be a year full of health, love, happiness, solidarity and creativity!
Press Release: Conference «Opening Doors: How Can Disability Support Services Unlock the Open Labour Market?»
The international conference “Opening Doors: How Can Disability Support Services Unlock the Open Labour Market?” was held successfully in Athens on October 17-18, organized by the NET and EASPD.
The conference was honored by the presence of several distinguished guests, including the outgoing EASPD Board President, James Crowe, the President of the Network Board, Giorgos Papadakis, the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zacharaki, the Minister of State, Akis Skertsos, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Niki Kerameos, and the Secretary-General for Social Solidarity and the Fight Against Poverty, Prodromos Pyrros.
Also attending were the Secretary-General for Demographic and Housing Policy, Konstantinos Gloumis-Atsalakis, the Head of Disability Child Support at the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, Dimitris Nikolski, the Director of EOPYY, Theano Karpodini, former MEP of New Democracy, Stelios Kymbouropoulos, the representative of the Shadow Minister for Disability Issues and member of New Democracy, Giorgos Tousias, and the General Director of the General Benevolent Fund of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, representing Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, Reverend Father Vassilios Chavatzas.
The conference attracted a remarkable number of experts and professionals in the field of disability from Europe and the U.S. to explore viable solutions and policies aimed at promoting the employment of people with disabilities in the open labor market. Through specialized panels, fundamental topics such as best practices in the workplace, the necessity of reasonable accommodation, and the use of innovative technologies to improve accessibility and participation were discussed.
During the workshops, participants had the opportunity to exchange practical applications and creative ideas, which will play a crucial role in shaping a comprehensive policy recommendations document. The conference also emphasized the importance of legislative support for supported employment and the need for stronger collaboration between public authorities and private enterprises to ensure the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce.
The conference concluded with a positive affirmation of all partners’ commitment to continue their efforts and disseminate the outcomes of the event, aiming to promote equal employment opportunities and strengthen social inclusion. The participation, interaction, and cooperation recorded at the conference ensure a dynamic future outlook, aiming to create a more inclusive and supportive work environment for all.
As part of the conference, on Saturday, October 19, the elections for the EASPD Board of Directors were held. Warm congratulations to Agapi Papadaki, the candidate representing the NET, who was re-elected to the EASPD Board, focusing on Early Childhood Intervention. The new EASPD President is Kirsi Konola. Congratulations to her and the new Board, and we wish them success in their work.
The NET Board sincerely thanks all those who participated and contributed to the successful organization of the conference and is committed to holding similar actions in the future to inform and raise awareness in the community.
Special thanks go to the sponsors and contributors who helped make the conference possible:
- Donor: John S. Latsis Foundation
- Donor: Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
- Hellenic Air Force Orchestra
- VIP Parties
Sincerely,
The Board of the NET
Conference : «Opening Doors: How Can Disability Support Services Unlock the Open Labour Market?»
Conference
«Opening Doors: How Can Disability Support Services Unlock the Open Labour Market?»
17-18 October 2024, Athens
The European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) and the Greek Network of Services for Persons with Disabilities (the NET) invite you to register for the Conference ‘Opening Doors: how can disability support services unlock the open labour market?’
The conference will:
- Identify different models available to support persons with disabilities to access open labour market opportunities.
- Inspire businesses with strategies to improve inclusion within their workforce.
Showcase practical approaches and innovative tools to deliver open labour market outcomes. - Explore fast-growing job sectors with new employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
- Look at creating legal frameworks to increase open labour market inclusion.
Deadline to register: 1 October 2024
The conference will take place in English, with Greek Interpretation and real-time captioning in English./em>.
Annual General Meeting of the NET
The Annual General Meeting of the NET was successfully completed on Friday 26 April 2024, in the presence of the Secretary General for Social Solidarity and Poverty Alleviation of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, Mr. Prodromos Pyrros.
The representatives of the institutions-NET’s members had the opportunity to have a constructive discussion with the Secretary General, indicating the issues that concern the institutions and their beneficiaries, the issues that need immediate solution and to declare their availability to contribute with their specialized knowledge and years of experience in the field, to the formulation of new policies concerning people with disabilities.
[show_post_tags]
Participation of the NET in the conference of the Federation of European Social Employers
The conference took place in Brussels on the 5th of July 2022 with the following topic: Addressing workforce needs and challenges in social services to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights and the forthcoming EU Care Strategy.
The NETWORK was represented by Dionysis Serras Psychologist, Head of the Research & Development Department of the organization “PLOES”, and head of the European Programs team of the NET.
The experience of the conference was impressive, regarding the perspective that an observer can develop once he/she discovers that they are part of both the problem and the solution at the same time.
Gregor Tomschizek, President of Social Employers opened the event, presenting the key results from the Social Employers survey on staff shortages in social services across Europe.
Subsequently, specific key findings from the soon to be published report on ‘’Current attractiveness’ challenges in the social services sector’’ were presented.
The second part focused on the upcoming European Care Strategy.
During the afternoon session, examples of how to deal with staff shortages in EU member states were presented.
The event concluded with the representatives of employers and social workers from 4 EU countries: Isabelle Le Nan, SCOP Initiatives Formation (FR), Juan Vela, President of Grupo Social Lares (ES), Johan Van Eeghem BBTK (BE), Sandra van den The Braak, Maaike Piet and Bert de Haas, FNV (NL), presenting their experiences and good practices in addressing the challenges of the workforce of the social services sector.
One can say that the conference highlighted, both the importance of investments in the sector and the adaptation of employee training to current needs as well as the essential role of social dialogue in addressing current and future challenges.
[show_post_tags]
EASPD International Conference: Quality of Life & Support Services: From Words to Action, 13-14 October 2022
The conference will aim to inspire support services to implement modern quality measurement models focusing on improving the quality of life of the people they support. Hosted in St Paul’s Bay, Malta the conference will take place on 13th-14th October 2022.
Rationale of the conference
Measuring the quality of services for persons with disabilities is a challenging mission for most service providers. The challenges arise not only from the lack of a mutually agreed definition on what quality is but also on how it can be measured efficiently and how it can further help services improve!
Even if, in most of the countries, the assessment of quality in services is set out in legislation, they do not specify methodologies, indicators, and do not define quality. In certain countries the assessment of quality follows procedures, such as formal inspection visits, that often do not provide services with the necessary means to develop and improve. However, there seems to be a general interest, also on the EU level, to improve the quality of services and the quality assessment processes.
This conference is co-organised with Agenzija Sapport, an EASPD member and Malta’s National Agency that provides professional and innovative services to enhance the quality of life of persons with disabilities and their families.
The conference will aim to inspire support services to implement modern quality measurement models focusing on improving the quality of life of the people they support. It will further showcase how such models can help service providers move forward towards better quality, empowering and person-centred forms of support, aligned with the UN CRPD principles.
This conference will:
- provide participants with a good understanding on the situation across Europe on innovative quality measurement systems.
- discuss the challenges and opportunities that this process may bring for support services.
- will bring two experiences from Scotland and Malta on how different levels (macro – meso – micro) can work together to support service development and improvement.
- conclude with representatives from the EU, public authorities, services providers, and persons with disabilities identifying the next steps.
Highlight of the conference:
- Participants will have the opportunity to participate in training sessions focused on different elements related to the operation/ management of a service, on person-centred and family-centred planning, quality measurement models and co-production, among others.
Learn More: https://www.easpdconference.eu/
[show_post_tags]
Two-Day Conference: "Social Dialogue in the Field of Social Services in Greece"
On June the 2nd and 3rd, a two-day conference was held in Athens as part of the European FORESEE program on Social Dialogue in the field of Social Services in Greece.
The two-day conference was attended, among others, by: the Federation of European Social Employers, the European Federation of Public Service Unions, the Secretary General of Social Solidarity and the Fight against Poverty, TO DIKTYO, SKLE, OMED and the University of West Attica.
The participants had the opportunity to obtain, from the guest speakers, a clear and documented picture of the definition of Social Dialogue in Europe and Greece, both at institutional and actual level.
The necessity to strengthen the Social Dialogue in Greece was particularly highlighted since, as it was pointed out, although the State has the necessary institutional framework, the necessary steps regarding the ability of employers’ and employees’ organizations to cope with its formal and substantive conditions, have not been taken.
[show_post_tags]