✨ 30 Years of Impact ✨

📅 Explore the key milestones of our journey and discover how far we’ve come, and where we’re heading next 👉 socialplatform.org/30years/

#EASPDnewsletter🗞 | At the core of EASPD's work is connecting organisations that share the goal of creating a truly inclusive world.
That's why we spent the week with 20 managers of service providers within the @therealancor.bsky.social network.

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#EASPDnewsletter 🗞 | Our next big event is around the corner!
🗓️ On 20-21 October, we'll be in Turin to explore how service providers and families can work hand in hand to strengthen support systems for people with disabilities.

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Inclusive education in action! Join us on 12 Nov in Brussels & online for the Final Conference of ACT Inclusive.

🗓12 November 13:00–17:30 CET
📍 Brussels & Online
💬Interpretation in EN, FR, ES and SI

Learn more and register here: easpd.eu/.../inclusiv...

Unaccompanied children face huge challenges arriving alone in a new country. Guardians step in to guide and protect them. Hear their stories from Ukraine & beyond in our new #GUIDEforGuardians video. 🎥 Watch now:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZc5RgCQWcQ

Whether you’re a teacher, school staff member, parent, or someone who cares about creating welcoming classrooms for all children, ACT INCLUSIVE has the resources you need to turn ideas about inclusion into practice.

Find out how ACT-INCLUSIVE tools can help you here: easpd.eu/news-detail/...

#EASPDnewsletter 🗞️ | In short:

🎟️ Registrations to our conference in Turin on 20-21 October are open!
💻 AccessibleEU's online course on accessible technology design
🏡 EU commits to promoting independent living
💡 New Knowledge Hub resource

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We have launched registrations for our upcoming conference on supporting families of people with disabilities in Turin! Register👇
www.easpdconference.eu

#EmpoweringFamilies

#EASPDnewsletter 🗞️ | You'll find:

🍿EASPD Summer Film Screening
🔍NGOs face scrutiny from European Parliament over funding
🤝QoLAB's local workshops aim to transform disability services
💡 Knowledge Hub resource by our Head of Operations

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Read our open letter here easpd.eu/news-detail/...

As discussions continue in the @europarl.europa.eu on Public Procurement, the Network for Sustainable Development in Public Procurement urges MEPs to:
✅ Go beyond lowest-price competition
✅ Prioritise decent work, fair wages & sustainability
✅ Ensure simplification does not reduce checks on quality

#EASPDnewsletter 🗞️ | Featured:

🏡 EASPD contributes to the first-ever EU Affordable Housing Plan
👨‍⚕️ Join Care4Skills Open Day on 2 July
👏 AccessibleEU celebrates the European Accessibility Act
💡 Knowledge Hub resource

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From withdrawing money from an ATM to using a smartphone, the European Accessibility Act will raise the bar for accessibility requirements 🙌 To celebrate and promote awareness, Accessible EU is hosting a hybrid networking event on Thursday 3 July at the Thon Hotel, Brussels. More 👉 shorturl.at/jzi7J

EASPD’s Deputy Secretary General, Tim Ghilain, has been re-elected as Treasurer of Social Platform’s Management Committee!

Tim's election continues EASPD's commitment to work with our European partners to achieve a more social Europe and change people’s lives for the better.

#EASPDnewsletter 🗞️ | You'll find:

🔎 Why social services must be part of the EU Apply AI Strategy
☕ Upcoming EASPD Knowledge Café on Supported Decision-Making
🏫 ACT-INCLUSIVE celebrates inclusive education in 5 countries
💡 Knowledge Hub resource

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EASPD and the Network for Sustainable Development in Public Procurement (NSDPP) is calling the @europarl.europa.eu Parliament's IMCO Committee to support a procurement framework that prioritises long-term value, fairness and sustainability.

Read our Open Letter here: easpd.eu/news-detail/...

We’re happy to announce that the Beyond Digits project has officially launched its website! 🎉

🌐 Visit www.beyonddigits.eu/ to learn more about the project and how its accessible financial training materials will help professionals promote the financial literacy of neurodivergent adults.

#EASPDnewsletter 🗞️ | You'll find:

👥 Two new members join EASPD Board
📩 Zero Project Awards 2026 nominations are open
📰 SIMS promotes inclusivity in sports journalism
💡 Knowledge Hub resource by our Learning and Development Officer

Read: shorturl.at/p3bYJ
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The report highlights several key messages:
🔹 Alternative employment models, incl. sheltered employment, are deeply embedded within national systems.
🔹 Pathways to the open labour market exist, but transitions are limited.
🔹 We should look to utilise the potential of supported employment models.

In contrast, supported employment promotes the participation of people with disabilities in the open labour market. This model provides support before, during and after employment to employers and employees to enable the successful inclusion of people with disabilities in the mainstream economy.

Alternative Employment Models can also offer opportunities in external workplaces which seek to integrate persons with disabilities in mainstream companies. While the individual continues to be employed by the sheltered employment provider, they on-site of an ordinary company.

Another model is Work integration enterprises- which can include Work Integration Social Enterprises #WISEs- in this model workers have regular employee status and associated rights.

Alternative employment models refer to jobs designated for persons with disabilities, providing more protected environments. These models can include sheltered workshops in which individuals don't have regular employee status, have lower remuneration levels and are in more segregated settings.

This morning EASPD is joining its partners in the Inclusive Labour Market Alliance (ILMA) for the launch of the latest initiative of the EU's #DisabilityEmploymentPackage: A study on Alternative Employment Models for Persons with Disabilities.
Join us here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...