Be part of it! Organise events in your country.
Dear Self-Advocates.
I want to invite you to join the Hear Our Voices! self-advocacy conference! To help us create the self-advocacy conference anywhere in Europe. To be part of our movement.
We need you to make changes happen! We want self-advocates’ voices to sound strong in Europe.
This year, Hear our Voices! self-advocacy conference is about “Being Heard, Being Seen”.
The conference is a series of events organised by self-advocates all over Europe. You can organise discussions online or in person.
We want to build an inclusive Europe. I believe that we can do it together!
László Bersce, Chair of the European Platform of Self-Advocates, Vice-President of Inclusion Europe
- All information on how to be part of Hear our Voices! self-advocacy conference (.pdf)
- See here which events are part of Hear our Voices! 2025.
What is Hear Our Voices! self-advocacy conference
Hear our Voices is a big self-advocacy event.
It happens every two years in different countries in Europe. It is a time for self-advocates to meet, talk, and make change happen!
The conference is organised by self-advocates for self-advocates. The European Platform of Self-Advocates (EPSA) organises the event, deciding on topics and speakers. EPSA is part of Inclusion Europe.
More than 1,300 people have attended Hear our Voices! self-advocacy conferences since the first conference in 2009. Most of the participants are people with intellectual disabilities. Don’t miss the opportunity to be one of them.
Why you should organise an event
Be part of the strong tradition of self-advocacy in Europe: Self-advocates come together for Hear our Voices! self-advocacy conferences since 2009.
Support self-advocates – Help people with intellectual disabilities speak up.
Contribute to a strong movement – Connect with other self-advocates in Europe.
Make a difference – What self-advocates say at your event will be shared and heard in Europe!
New connections – Meet self-advocates from your country and beyond.
Stronger voice – Learn how to advocate for your rights.
Recognition – Your ideas and stories will be shared across Europe.
Inspiration – Hear from others who have made a difference!
When and where?
- 6 – 19 October 2025
- Organised by different organisations across Europe
- This is the event you can organise to join Hear our Voices!
Final event:
- November 2025
- Organised by Inclusion Europe in Brussels and online
When you organise an event as part of Hear our Voices! it means self-advocates in your country can take part. Having the conference done as local events makes it easier for many people to participate. The local event can be in the self-advocates’ own language, and does not need international travel.
How can you organise an event?
Your event can be:
- A discussion – A small meeting where people share ideas.
- A workshop – Where self-advocates learn together.
- A conference – A big event with speakers and different sessions.
- An online event – To include more people who cannot travel.
You choose the topic that is most important in your country!
The European Platform of Self-Advocates suggests these topics:
- Speaking up – Learning to be a strong self-advocate.
- Accessibility – Making sure all places and services are for everyone.
- Education and jobs – Fighting for the right to learn and work.
- Independent living – Having control over your own life.
- Health and well-being – Getting fair access to healthcare.
- Politics – The right to vote and be part of decisions.
See here which events are part of Hear our Voices! 2025.
