Wednesday 20th February

Room M1

Influencing politics

For a barrier-free world,

it is very important that people with disabilities

have a say in politics.

In this session, we talk about different ways

on how people with disabilities

can take influence in politics.

For example through

training programmes for people with disabilities,

who represent people with disabilities,

work with people who make laws and

collecting and using important data.

Supported decision-making and personal budget models

This session is about ways

how to help people with disabilities

to make their own decisions

when it comes to care and support

and their financing.

For example, through

training in how to make good decisions,

personal assistance and

personal advisors

Technological solutions

Learn about exciting technological innovations.

The innovations include solar-powered hearing aids.

And also technology that supports

the rehabilitation of young people with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a physical disability

that affects movement and posture.

Room M3

Using technology to connect people

Today, there are many apps and other technologies

for people with disabilities.

This session is about phone apps and websites

which help people with disabilities

to communicate with their peers

and support networks.

And to get information and advice.

Being independent at home

People introduce different products and ideas

that support people to live independently

and to make their own decisions.

For example, a programme to modify your car.

Or technology to automatically

control devices at home with the Internet.

Making everyday life more inclusive

This session is about different projects:

apps for smartphones

disability cards

sports programmes

These programmes should make life more inclusive.

This means, they enable persons with disabilities

to participate in everyday activities in the same way

as people without disabilities.

Thursday 21st February

Room M1

Voter information for everyoneThis session is about information on politics and voting for persons with intellectual disabilities.For example:

easy-read voting guides study groups inclusive communication campaigns.

Participating in politics in poorer countries

NGOs and Organizations of persons with disabilities talk about programmes to increase political participation.

Political participation means that people with disabilities can have a say in important decisions or laws.This is especially important when these decisions or laws concern themselves.

These programmes will achieve

that more people with disabilities go to elections.

They also lead to more inclusive policies

and that persons with disabilities are represented in government.

Supporting the rights of women with disabilities

This session is about ideas and methods,

how to strengthen and promote

the rights of women with disabilities.

For example through

training on sexual rights

and the right to give birth and have children,

housing models for traumatized women

and programmes to teach women

how to lead.

Supporting sign language

This session is about how to support

the use of sign language

in politics, schools and other situations.

For example through

phone apps,

special playgroups and

training programmes

Supported housing models in Eastern Europe and Asia

People with disabilities

should live independently in the community

and not in care institutions.

This session shows new ideas for housing models,

shared apartments and technologies,

which help people with disabilities

to live independently.

Room M3

Youth and voluntary work

This session is about organizations

which support young people with disabilities.

Through events and workshops,

young people with disabilities

can join in sports, social activities and voluntary work.

This way, young people with disabilitiescan learn how to live independently.

Independence in public spaces

It is often very difficult for persons with disabilities to find their way in public places.There is an app that uses radio signals to improve orientation. There are other new inventions like fully accessible mobile toilets.These inventions are important, so people with disabilities can enjoy all public spaces.

Early childhood support in poorer countries

This session is about projects

to support children with disabilities.

The projects are particularly for children

in rural areas in poorer countries.

The projects include training,

home-based programmes and

support that is tailored to the persons needs.

The goal is to get families and communities

to play a bigger role.

Accessible elections

Members from national and regional election bodies

and partners from NGOs talk about their work.

An election body is a group of people

who oversee election procedures.

NGO stands for Non-Governmental Organization.

It is an organization that does not work for any government.

An NGO usually works towards a good cause.

Often persons with disabilities

can not take part in elections.

The goal in these sessions is to increase

the accessibility of national and local elections.

Election tools

Hear from organizations working on online voting systems.

This technology allows people

to vote on computers, tablets, and smartphones.

This makes elections more accessible.

In this session, we also talk about

how tactile ballots can be developed

and in what regions they can be used.

Tactile ballots are ballots for blind people,

so they can vote on their own

without assistance and without knowing Braille.

Friday 22nd February

Room M1

Supporting independence and inclusion in poorer countries

Organizations from poorer countries

will talk about ways

how to support independence and inclusion

for people with disabilities.

If something is inclusive,

it means that everyone can take part.

This means that people with disabilities

can participate in the same way

as people without disabilities.

All people in our society

must have the same opportunities and rights.

The organizations talk about centres

that provide services, advice, products and support

for people with disabilities.

For example

assistive technologies,

free-time activities,

legal advise and

personal assistance.

Supporting people with several disadvantages

Sometimes people with disabilities

have it difficult not only because of their disability.

But also because of their gender,

age, home country, religion

or because of poverty.

This session shows ways

how to support people with disabilities

who have several disadvantages.

For example

native people with disabilities,

people with disabilities who live in slums

or people with disabilities who are homeless.

Making de-institutionalization work

This session is on national programmes

for people with disabilities who live in institutions.

These people should be able

to move from an institution into the community.

Different organizations talk about support systems,

housing and training for living in the community.

Improving the relation between the criminal justice system and people with disabilities

It is often difficult for persons with disabilities

to interact with police, lawyers

and the criminal justice system in general.

The problem is often to understand one another.

This session is about projects

to improve the criminal justice system

and to help people with disabilities

deal with the system.

Room M3

Strengthening legal and human rights

In this session, experts will talk about

how to strengthen the legal rights and human rights

for people with disabilities

all around the world.

For example, by supporting

organizations of people with disabilities.

And through ideas how governments and

organizations that do not work for the government

can work together.

Support and services in poorer countries

This session is about

how to help people with mental disabilities

and their caregivers and assistants

in poorer countries.

This is important so people with mental disabilities

can find good support and services.

Using art against discrimination

This session is about different art projects,

which should change the way

the public looks at people with disabilities.

The goal is also to reduce discrimination.

For example through

theatre,

dance,

art galleries and

literary festivals.

Dictionary

Political participation/political

Political participation means that people with disabilities

can have a say in important decisions or laws.

This is especially important

when these decisions or laws concern themselves.

Sign Language

Sign language is the mother tongue

of deaf people.

In sign language, you make signs

for a word, a term or a letter.

Usually you make the signs with your hands.