6th IASSIDD Europe Congress

Explore the Congress

The 6th IASSIDD Europe Congress took place in Amsterdam from July 6 to 8, 2021, bringing together a diverse community of researchers, practitioners, self-advocates, and policymakers. The event was organised under the banner of Disability Studies in Nederland and operated in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person attendance at a studio venue in the city and widespread virtual participation from around the world. This dual approach ensured that delegates could engage meaningfully regardless of travel restrictions or personal circumstances.

The congress theme, Value Diversity, was chosen to reflect a growing recognition that the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities must embrace broader perspectives and more inclusive approaches. The theme challenged participants to reconsider long-standing assumptions, to question how knowledge is produced, and to centre the voices of people with lived experience. It underscored the idea that diversity is not merely a characteristic to be accommodated but a fundamental strength to be actively valued and pursued.

A comprehensive scientific programme structured the congress across multiple thematic tracks, each addressing a distinct dimension of contemporary research and practice. These tracks covered areas such as mental health, parenting with intellectual disability, life course perspectives, care systems, and the legacy of eugenic thinking. Track directors and reviewers worked collaboratively to curate sessions that balanced academic rigour with practical relevance, ensuring that contributions spoke to both scholarly and real-world concerns.

Keynote presentations formed a central pillar of the congress experience, with invited speakers addressing pressing issues at the intersection of disability studies, policy, and human rights. These sessions were designed to provoke reflection and debate, setting the tone for the days that followed. Alongside keynotes, dedicated debate sessions created space for structured dialogue on contested topics, encouraging participants to examine differing viewpoints in a respectful and intellectually open environment.

Oral presentations and poster sessions offered researchers and practitioners the opportunity to share emerging findings, innovative methodologies, and practice-based insights with an international audience. Presenters joined from numerous countries, contributing to a rich tapestry of perspectives. The virtual platform enabled real-time interaction, with attendees able to pose questions, offer comments, and connect with authors, fostering a sense of scholarly community even across great distances.

A series of workshops ran in parallel with the main sessions, providing hands-on learning experiences for delegates seeking to deepen specific skills or explore particular topics more intensively. These interactive formats encouraged active participation rather than passive listening, aligning with the congress ethos of engagement and mutual learning. Workshop facilitators brought expertise from diverse professional backgrounds, including academia, clinical practice, advocacy organisations, and grassroots community initiatives.

The congress also featured a pre-conference academy designed for early-career researchers and those new to the field. This preparatory programme offered guidance on abstract development, presentation skills, and navigating the academic landscape. By investing in emerging scholars, the organisers signalled a commitment to nurturing the next generation of thinkers and practitioners who will continue to advance the study and support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A virtual studio setup in Amsterdam served as the broadcast hub for the hybrid event, enabling live-streamed sessions to reach registered attendees worldwide. This infrastructure allowed for seamless transitions between in-person contributions and remote presentations, with moderators facilitating dialogue across both modes of participation. The technological design aimed to replicate as closely as possible the immediacy and warmth of an in-person congress atmosphere.

Sponsorship and partnership played an important role in sustaining the congress and broadening its reach. Supporting organisations aligned with the values of inclusion and diversity contributed to making the event accessible to a wide audience. Their involvement underscored a shared commitment across sectors to advancing knowledge, improving support systems, and promoting the rights and dignity of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Looking beyond the event itself, the 6th IASSIDD Europe Congress sought to catalyse ongoing collaboration and reflection within the international community. The conversations sparked during those three days in July continue to resonate through networks, publications, and subsequent gatherings. The emphasis on valuing diversity remains a guiding principle, reminding all who participated that meaningful change requires sustained effort, open dialogue, and a willingness to envision a more inclusive future.