EASPD

 

 

 

EASPD celebrated its 15^th anniversary at the European Parliament

 

thanks to you... a success!

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

The narrative report of the 15^th  Anniversary is available now!!!

 

 

To celebrate its 15th anniversary, the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities invited its members and friends on 9th November 2011 to the European Parliament.

 

The event was hosted by MEP Dieter Koch with the support of other important MEPs and with special guests as Commissioner László Andor, Yannis Vardakastanis (President of the European Disability Forum), Brigitte Grouwels (Minister Social Affairs Brussels Region), Johan Ten Geuzendam (Head of Unit for the Rights of People with Disabilities, European Commission) and Thorsten Afflerbach (Head of Integration of People with Disabilities Division, Council of Europe).  Video messages from Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission and EU-Commissioner opened the ceremony.

 

Since 1996, EASPD has brought together almost 10.000 service providers all over Europe and beyond. 15 years of decisive achievements and flourishing activities.

 

     

 

Luk Zelderloo, EASPD Secretary General and one of the founding fathers: “Inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we hope to contribute to the development a more accessible, social and caring Europe which respectful and empowers people in need. Our major challenge is to bring the support as much as possible to the people instead of bringing people to the support, building up new relations with all relevant stakeholders (schools, employment agencies, etc.). These stakeholders will become next of course always to persons with disabilities, our new, indirect clients: we will use our experience and skills to help them support people in an appropriate way to build inclusive communities and empowering services.”

 

During all these years EASPD has done its best to represent and fight for the needs of the sector at all levels, to inform its members about European and international policy developments as well as to support them in innovating for the benefit of persons with disabilities. However, prompt technology developments, the demographic change, new needs and wishes of persons experiencing disability already have a strong impact on our daily work and will increasingly challenge structures and methods.

 

Franz Wolfmayr, President of EASPD concludes: “Today, on the basis of our experience and commitment it is the responsibility of the service providers to be at the forefront of innovation in order to shape the future rather than to passively suffer the consequences of major societal changes. Take the chance to celebrate together our Anniversary with us at the European Parliament in a bright and cheerful atmosphere.”  Click here to have a look at the speech in its entirety.

 

You can also click here to read the speech from Commissioner László Andor.