ENVITER and HIPEN Represented at the EASPD Conference and General Assembly 2026
On 14 and 15 May 2026, the EASPD Conference and General Assembly held in Porto, Portugal, brought together disability service providers, networks and organisations from across Europe to discuss key challenges and future directions in inclusive services and disability policy.
During the event, both ENVITER and HIPEN were represented through the participation of a delegate attending on behalf of the two networks – Vera Rapagão, from CONVIDA, Portugal.
The Conference provided an important platform for dialogue and exchange on topics including accessibility, innovation, employment, sustainability of support services and the future role of European cooperation in the disability sector. It also offered valuable opportunities to strengthen connections with organisations working across different disability fields and to promote the importance of specialised expertise in visual impairment.
Participation in the General Assembly further enabled engagement with current strategic discussions within EASPD and reinforced the relevance of ensuring that the perspectives of people with visual and hearing impairment remain visible within broader European disability policies and initiatives.
The presence of ENVITER and HIPEN at the event reflected the ongoing commitment of both networks to:
- European cooperation and partnership-building;
- exchange of knowledge and best practices;
- promotion of accessibility and inclusion;
- active participation in discussions shaping the future of disability support services in Europe.
The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration between specialised networks and larger European umbrella organisations in addressing shared challenges and promoting inclusive and sustainable approaches for all persons with disabilities.
