Self-determination is at the heart of inclusion. People with intellectual disabilities and autistic people should have the support they need to make their own choices, speak up for themselves and have more control over their own lives. That’s the basic reasoning behind the Self-Determination Academy project, where Inclusion Europe is a partner.
The Self-Determination Academy organised trainings in Portugal, Ireland and Croatia, with 36 participants. The training was about knowing yourself and your needs, knowing your rights, making decisions and speaking up for yourself. Participants also talked about relationships, support, independent living, work and their plans for the future.
An important part of the training was connecting self-determination with everyday life. Participants worked on questions such as:
- What is important to me?
- What helps me make decisions?
- What support do I need?
- How can I say what I want?
- What do I want for my future?
Practical activities and real-life examples helped participants understand and use ideas such as rights, choice and self-advocacy.
“I am satisfied with myself as I am; what I want is not to change myself, but to find ways to make everyday life easier,” said one of the participants in Croatia.
The project continues with an event in Brussels on 14 October 2026, where we’ll talk about participation of people with intellectual disabilities and with autism in European policy-making. It will be possible to attend both in person and online.
The Self-Determination Academy project is co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ program.
