The 5th Conference on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, organized by the University of Alicante (UA) in collaboration with San Rafael-Fundación Estima, was held on November 7th and 8th, 2024, at the Faculty of Education’s auditorium in Alicante. This event, which has already reached full capacity with over 200 registered participants, aimed to provide a space for professionals, families, and individuals with intellectual disabilities to come together and share experiences, knowledge, and tools that can help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.
The conference sought to foster an environment for exchanging experiences and knowledge to enhance support systems for people with intellectual disabilities. Topics discussed included individualized support systems, quality of life improvement, and community inclusion, all aimed at promoting the full development and integration of people with intellectual disabilities.
The conference started on the November 7th with a lecture by Xabier Etxeberria, focusing on the ethics of support and the rights of people with intellectual disabilities. Then, there was held a roundtable discussion addressing best practices in educational and social settings, with participation from sector organizations. Finally, there were organised workshops on promoting self-determination and advocating for rights.
The second day, November 8th, highlighted advances in personalized support systems, with a keynote by Miguel A. Verdugo on comprehensive support models. A debate session on community inclusion featured Almudena Caleroand other experts. The day also included a panel of experiences, where families and individuals with disabilities shared insights into effective strategies. The conference concluded with a workshop by Natalia Díaz on quality of life evaluation tools for support services.
The conference is a continuation of the long-standing partnership between the University of Alicante and San Rafael-Fundación Estima, which has spanned over 20 years. This collaboration has driven various research and projects focused on inclusion and autonomy for people with intellectual disabilities. The Interuniversity Institute for Social Development and Peace and the Department of Social Work and Social Services at UA have been instrumental in supporting these efforts.
In summary, the conference served as an important forum for those involved in the intellectual disability sector to learn, share ideas, and collaborate on enhancing support systems that improve the lives of people with disabilities.
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