Saturday 9 May 2026 was a big day for representation of people with intellectual disabilities.
Joachim Busch and Soufiane El Amrani became the first persons with intellectual disabilities to be elected to the Board of the European Disability Forum.
🇪🇺 Soufiane El Amrani
Soufiane El Amrani was nominated by Inclusion Europe, and is elected among the Board members representing European disability organisations.
“I am happy to be elected, it is a proud moment for me. Thank you to EDF members,” said Soufiane El Amrani. “In my work as Board member, I want to make information easy to read and improve accessibility and participation. “My other big priority is for Europe to stop putting people in institutions. Everyone needs to be able to live in their own home and in the community as everyone else. “I am looking forward to the work.”
🇩🇪 Joachim Busch
Joachim Busch was nominated by the German disability council, and is elected among the Board members representing national disability organisations.
“I am happy that I got elected and that I can contribute with my experience to the EDF Board,” Joachim Busch said.
Both self-advocates were elected at EDF’s General Assembly in Cyprus. They took part in their first Board meeting on Sunday 10 May.
Congratulations to both Joachim and Soufiane! We are proud to be part of this historic moment for representation of people with intellectual disabilities.
More from Cyprus
Gunta Anca was elected as President of the European Disability Forum. Congratulations to Gunta, and to all newly elected Board members.
There was also a conference about support in decision-making in Cyprus before the EDF General Assembly.
Maureen Piggot was elected to the EDF Finance Committee. Previously, Maureen served at the Board of EDF and as their Treasurer, representing Inclusion Europe. Maureen was President of Inclusion Europe until 2018.
Maureen was recognised for her work for EDF as her term at the Board came to an end.
