Hello from everyone at Inclusion Europe.
This is Milan, writing you with Include News for January 2026 – all kinds of developments relevant to people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
I have to lead with Europe in Action. The 21st edition of our conference returns to Italy for 3 days of learning and exchanging and recharging our collective batteries. First time around, in 2015, we were in Rome. Now, we’ll be in Vicenza 25-27 May 2026 and I hope to see many of you there.
BIG NEWS out of Strasbourg:
Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe rejects the draft Additional Protocol on involuntary measures in mental health. For Inclusion Europe, this decision confirms what has been consistently and clearly stated for years: this Protocol was not compatible with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Cyprus EU presidency with focus on support to decision-making. Cyprus holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union from January to June this year. As part of the presidency, Cyprus will organise a conference about support to decision-making, early May. Cyprus also approved new money and support measures in the country.
Unacceptable language about people with intellectual disabilities. Member of the European Parliament from Cyprus, Fidias Panayiotou, used unacceptable words about people with intellectual disabilities while talking about Paralympic Games on a podcast. The EDF and Inclusion Europe want him to apologise.
Speaking of bad words, NY Times has an interesting article about the “R-word” – why and how people campaigned to have it disappear from use, and why it’s unfortunately back in use today.
From around Europe
Belgium: Families are worried, and protesting, about the impact of changes to long-term unemployment benefits. Many parents of children with complex support needs have them as the only option to stay home and provide support when there aren’t enough services available.
Czechia: People and organisations around the country marked the death of Dorota Šandorová on 6 January 2021. In a vigil called “Night of Dignity”, representatives of people with disabilities and other organisations commemorate Dorota, who was murdered by staff member of an institution in which she lived.
France: More children with disabilities are in mainstream schools, says this article. More children with disabilities have no schooling education at all, says this article.
Hungary: Budapest Environs Regional Court ruled that the guardianship authority acted unlawfully when it twice refused to allow Validity Foundation lawyers to meet with a person with a disability living in a closed residential institution. Serious concerns had been raised about possible sexual violence and other forms of abuse. The Court annulled both decisions of the Guardianship Authority as unlawful, emphasising that denying access to legal counsel in such circumstances violates fundamental rights.
Italy: This isn’t exactly last month, but I think it’s still worth sharing. A little insight into a debate about inclusive education in Italy. Plus, a story about how it all started.
From Inclusion Europe
(Some of) what our members do to make the world a better place for people with intellectual disabilities and their families
Meeting with the European Commission to explain what people with intellectual disabilities and their families want from EU disability rights agenda.
Report on Hear Our Voices! self-advocacy events in 2025
Inclusion Europe and the European Down Syndrome Association are pleased to announce new collaboration to strengthen the representation and participation of people with Down syndrome in European policy-making.
What the EU’s new Affordable Housing Plan means for people with intellectual disabilities and their families
New video: Supported-decision making: What it is and why it is important.
Join our events:
- Workshop for self-advocates in Portugal: About politics, participation in public life and voting – 3-4 February
- Online workshop about Inclusion Indicators – 10 February 2026
- Join us in Vicenza for 3 days of sharing and learning for future of inclusion in Europe! – 25-27 May
I hope you found this round up useful.
If you did, maybe you can forward the newsletter to someone you know who would like to read it to. They can subscribe here.
As ever, let me know if you have any feedback or ideas.
We’ll be back with more Include News next month.