The workshop will bring together speakers from several European countries to share experiences on often overlooked approaches to personal assistance, one of the main pillars of Independent Living and participation of disabled people in society. In the first half, the session will feature the presentations on the various national contexts, while in the second part, attendees will engage in a discussion on recent and future advancements and ongoing challenges. 

The workshop will focus on strategic litigation as a tool for challenging systemic discrimination and advancing the rights of marginalized groups, especially disabled people. After a first, introductory part, two speakers will present concrete examples coming from different contexts. An interactive activity will follow: participants will analyse some situations and establish whether these can become strategic cases. Finally, they will be asked to share their thoughts, reflect on potential challenges and think how strategic litigation links with other forms of advocacy. 

The workshop will explore the concept of assisted dying and its connection with disability rights and independent living. It will begin with a panel discussion that brings together different viewpoints, delving into opposing and moderate perspectives. In the second half, participants will engage in guided group activities to analyze different real-life ethical scenarios and formulate their own stance on the topic in a respectful environment.

Humanitarian crises such as conflicts, disasters, displacement, pandemics and climate-related emergencies increase the risk that persons with disabilities will be isolated, segregated, deprived of support, or placed in institutions. The workshop will explore how humanitarian aid can protect the right to live independently in the community, even during conflict, displacement, disasters and climate-related emergencies. It will focus on moving away from segregated or protection-only responses and towards practical action that supports choice, autonomy, accessibility and community-based support. Participants will identify risks of institutionalisation, discuss how to make evacuation, shelter, communication, services and complaint mechanisms accessible, and explore how funding can support personal assistance, assistive devices, accessible housing, peer support and inclusive mainstream services.

Inclusive education is a precondition for independent living. Yet, it remains illusive across countries. Within the disability movement, inclusive education is understood as key, but not all organisations of disabled people work on it, or agree on what it should look like. Furthermore, segregation in education is something that affects other groups too, including the Roma and children of migrant background. This workshop will address questions - How do we work more effectively on inclusive education? Where should we start? What should we focus on? How can we work intersectionally to be more effective? What are we missing?

The workshop will examine intimacy, sexuality and relationships through the lived perspectives of disabled people, while focusing on structural barriers and challenging ableist norms. The theoretical part will grounded in sexual and reproductive rights and will address pleasure, desire and access to spaces that enable sexual citizenship, particularly within nightlife. The second half of the session will be a practical, interactive “Erotic Lab”, where guided activities will encourage participants to share points of view and rethink sexuality.

This workshop will focus on building arguments for independent living and countering support for institutions. During the first part, we will exchange strategies, built from years of experience and coming from different points of view - that of a service provider, a disabled person and a family member. The second part of the workshop will take the form of a role play, using theatre, where our moderator will play the role of a 'Bad Minister'. We will focus on the issue of group homes.

This interactive workshop will delve into the concept and the main principles of a Centre for Independent Living (CIL). Two speakers will lead the introduction, explain the first practical steps to establish a CIL and analyze the topic through an intersectional lens. Following this, attendees will participate in group activities that will help them reflect on the state of CILs in their own local contexts and empower them to start or contribute to them.

The workshop will begin with a presentation on “prefiguration” and an overview of its five key features, explained through examples from Berkeley’s Centre for Independent Living in the 1970s. In the second part, participants will be asked to share instances of these characteristics from their own experiences as activists. Following this, another speaker will reflect on the current process of autocratisation in Europe and how this impacts the disability rights movement. To conclude, a Q&A session on this issue will be held.

If you would rather spend the day creating banners for the protest, then this workshop is for you. We will supply materials, you bring creativity.