Working Groups

Policy Network

The EPR Policy Network identifies opportunities to feed recommendations developed within other EPR activities into policy drafting. This is done through preparing responses to written EU consultations and by contributing to consultation meetings. The meetings also aim to provide EPR members a space to learn more about current EU policy developments, provide input into public consultations, share updates from their organisations related to policy issues and from their national, regional or local level. Discussed topics include: the European Semester, Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) focusing on employment/services; the European Disability Strategy and the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR).

Contact person: Clara Beser

Funding Working Group

The EPR Funding Working Group is a collaborative initiative designed to foster knowledge exchange and cultivate a dynamic space for the development of content and project ideas. Comprising members from diverse backgrounds and expertise, the group aims to leverage collective insights and experiences in funding opportunities and projects. By providing a platform for sharing project ideas and innovative approaches, the Funding Working Group empowers its participants to explore various types of funding. This collaborative effort contributes to the overarching goal of enhancing social services provision and initiatives across Europe, ultimately working towards the improvement of the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The group is mainly dedicated to people who are directly involved in the drafting or management of projects. The aim is to collect as many competencies and experiences in the field of EU projects, which EPR and its members have to offer.

Contact person: Roberto Zanon

INTEREHA Working Group

The INTEREHA Working Group is led by EPR member Fondazione Don Gnocchi. It aims to share practices among tech-based (or willing-to-be tech-based) organisations, and works to establish a metric to evaluate practices in the fields of rehabilitation and training, to bring the respective voices to policy makers’ level, as well as to consider related project developments.

Contact person: Alicia Gómez Campos

Digital Skills Working Group

The Digital Skills Working Group gathers practitioners concerned with the use of digital technology in education, training and employment for persons with disabilities.

Experts meet three times a year to share knowledge about digital transitions, digital literacy and digital inclusion. They explore good practices for reducing barriers to accessing technologies, for integrating digital skills in all learning and training, to promote the recognition of digital skills, and to advance the use of technology for improving the living and working conditions for people with disabilities. The working group is co-facilitated by Theotokos Foundation and EPR secretariat.

Contact person: Clara Beser, Eberhard Lueder

Mental Health Working Group

The Mental Health Working Group gathers practitioners in mental health services offered by the EPR member organisations.

Every year, the Working Group meets twice online and once in person for a site visit. Agenda items include updates and news on members’ initiatives, projects and services, EU-level events concerned with mental health, and joint work on studies and briefings e.g. on outreaching services for people with mental health issues living in the local community. The working group is co-facilitated by Theotokos Foundation and EPR secretariat.

Contact person: Eberhard Lueder

Employment Working Group

The Employment Working Group explores the barriers, success factors and good practices for promoting the employment of persons with disabilities, including return-to-work programmes, supported employment, reasonable accommodations, social enterprises, and partnership with employers.

The working group holds three meetings per year for sharing news and updates from work with clients and service users, and for contributing to EU initiatives linked to social and employment policies e.g. on quality jobs or alternative forms of employment for people with disabilities.

Contact person: Eberhard Lueder

Youth Working Group

The Youth Working Group brings together social workers, therapists and other professionals in services and support for young people with disabilities. They are involved in education and training, independent living and employment support, vocational and social rehabilitation.

The Working Group assembles three times throughout the year, including two online meetings and one in-person site visit. Members share news and updates on integrated services for young people transitioning from teenage to adulthood, from school to work, and from family to independent living, and more.

Contact person: Eberhard Lueder

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Network

The ICF Working Group brings together EPR members with a particular interest in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) system to exchange information on how to increase knowledge and practical use of ICF in their organisations with regards to medical and vocational rehabilitation. They keep each other informed about learning and training opportunities provided by international ICF experts and trainers. They also explore possibilities to interact with WHO and EU entities concerned with ICF.

Contact person: Eberhard Lueder

Ageing Network

EPR members with particular interest and expertise in services and supports for older people join the Ageing Network for exchange of knowledge and good practices. Three times a year they meet to explore working models for adapting services for people with disabilities getting older, medical and vocational rehabilitation for older workers, and for people acquiring a disability in old age. The experts also share knowledge on the requirements and training for professionals working at the intersection of disability services and elderly care.

Contact person: Eberhard Lueder