Fostering Inclusive Communities and Healthy Ageing for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Hybrid, Rue du Méridien,10 1210 Bruxelles
Thursday, 26 June 2025 (13:30–16:30 CET)


On 26 June, EPR and project partners were proud to have showcased the successful results and impact of the Particip.Age project, funded by the Erasmus+ programme! The conference “Fostering Inclusive Communities and Healthy Ageing for People with Intellectual Disabilities” brought together stakeholders, community service providers, and advocates to share insights and forward-looking strategies.
As people with intellectual disabilities are living longer lives thanks to medical and technological advancements, they are also facing health and social challenges much earlier than the general population. This “double vulnerability” calls for inclusive, community-based solutions that ensure dignity, participation, and support throughout the ageing process.
At the event, participants heard about:
- The final results of the Particip.Age project
- Launch of the innovative online training courses for both ageing people with intellectual disabilities and the professionals who support them
- Policy recommendations to enhance inclusion and quality of life
- Ways to build more age-inclusive services and communities
- Testimonials from service-users and staff on their experience with the Particip.Age online courses
Access the Conference presentations and testimonials below:
- Keynote speech (video), MEP Katrin Langensiepen, European Parliament Interest Groups: “Europe for all ages” and “Disabilities”
- De-institutionnalisation and the importance of Independent Living, Haydn Hammersley, Social Policy Coordinator, European Disability Forum
- Getting Older with a Disability, Lucie Durocher, Head of the Europe, Projects and Innovation at UNESSA
- Personal testimonies (video): Staff and ageing people with intellectual disabilities
- The ParticipAGE. Project: Why? Who? What?, Panita Ball, Project and Events Officer, EPR and Particip.AGE Project coordinator
- Presentation of the Particip.AGE website with embedded online training, Maria Carracedo Bustamante, INTRAS Foundation
- Project Results: online training course for staff and ageing People with Intellectual Disabilities, Jane Walsh, University of Galway
- Online training course for staff and service users, Michael Backhaus, Mariaberg e.V
- Policy Recommendations for enhanced community and social inclusion of Ageing People with Intellectual Disabilities, Clara Beser, Policy Officer, EPR
- Evaluation of competences and impact, Nicole Modi & Barbara Borgogni, Medea