Our Sponsors
The 6th IASSIDD Europe Congress was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors.
Vereniging Gehandicaptenzorg Nederland (VGN)
Website sponsor. VGN is the national association representing disability care providers across the Netherlands, advocating for quality support and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
ZonMW
Website sponsor. ZonMW is the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development, funding research and innovation that advances health, care, and well-being — including disability studies and inclusive practice.
Contact
For inquiries about the congress or sponsorship, please reach out to the organizing team.
Email: events@iassidd2021.com
The 6th IASSIDD Europe Congress brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and self-advocates from across Europe and beyond to explore what it truly means to value diversity in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. This gathering in Amsterdam served as a vital platform for exchanging knowledge, challenging assumptions, and envisioning more inclusive futures. The congress theme resonated deeply with the collective effort to rethink how support, care, and opportunities are designed and delivered. Through keynote sessions, workshops, and debates, participants engaged with pressing topics such as deinstitutionalisation, quality of life, human rights, and the importance of listening to the voices of people with disabilities in all decisions that affect their lives.
The generous support from sponsors played an essential role in making this congress a reality. Their commitment enabled the organisers to create an accessible and engaging programme that could reach a wide audience, including those participating virtually during the ongoing global health challenges. Sponsorship helped fund live-streamed sessions, interactive workshops, and the digital infrastructure that allowed remote attendees to join discussions in real time. This partnership between the congress and its sponsors reflected a shared dedication to advancing knowledge, promoting best practices, and ensuring that the conversation around valuing diversity continued without interruption, even when the world could not gather in person as originally planned.
The congress programme was structured around multiple thematic tracks that covered a broad spectrum of topics relevant to intellectual and developmental disabilities. These tracks included discussions on mental health, parenting, healthy ageing, quality of life, and the ongoing legacy of eugenics in disability policy and practice. Presenters from diverse backgrounds shared their research findings, clinical experiences, and personal insights, fostering a rich dialogue that crossed disciplinary boundaries. The emphasis on value diversity encouraged participants to consider how differences in ability, culture, background, and perspective can strengthen communities and services rather than being seen as problems to be solved or managed.
Looking ahead, the conversations and connections formed during the 6th IASSIDD Europe Congress continue to influence the field. The congress demonstrated that even in challenging times, the community dedicated to improving the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities remains resilient and committed to change. The virtual components of the event expanded access and participation, setting a precedent for future congresses that may blend in-person and online engagement. The spirit of collaboration and the commitment to valuing diversity that defined this gathering in Amsterdam will undoubtedly carry forward, inspiring new research, more inclusive policies, and better everyday practices for people with disabilities across Europe and beyond.