The European Platform of Self-Advocates - the way forward

From 30 September to 3 October, there will be a big conference
for self-advocates from all over Europe.

In this article, we will tell you more about
the European Paltform of Self-Advocates,
which organises this conference.

Since 2000, European self-advocates have been able to count on EPSA
to represent them and advocate for their rights.

Our concerns have not changed since 2000:

• We still need to make the self-advocacy movement stronger in Europe.
  
  
• We still need to provide for training for self-advocates.
  
  
• We still need to campaign for the need for accessible information.
  
  
• We still need to empower self-advocacy groups at local levels.
  
  
• And we still need to promote EPSA and raise membership.

During the last 11 years a lot has been done.
EPSA was involved in several projects that meet our goals,
like:

• how to mainstream mental disability policies,
  
  
• how to know our rights and fight for them,
  
  
• and how to make accessible information and training materials.
  
  

EPSA went to several European conferences and events
and spread the word about self-advocacy.

We also organised General meetings and
talked about self-advocacy in Europe with our members.

We wrote a recommendation on legal capacity,
to tell others about our rights, abilities, needs,
and the way we want to exercise our rights.

This is a very important document and you can read it
on the Inclusion Europe website.

However, there is still a lot to be done,
especially at local and national levels.

To help with this, EPSA has 5 Ambassadors
that are working at national level
to spread the word about self-advocacy and our work.

They are:

• Andrew Doyle, for Scotland
  
  
• Ciara Evans, for England
  
  
• Fabrice Vanobel, for France
  
  
• Krisse Paaskinen, for Finland
  
  
• Senada Halilcevic, for Croatia

If you live in one of these countries and want to learn more about EPSA and self-advocacy, send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We need to build on existing networks and to create new ones.
Self-advocacy is all about getting stronger and making ourselves heard.
Self-advocates need to be represented at European level.

This is EPSA’s role: To represent the European
self-advocacy movement and to fight for the rights
of self-advocates all over Europe.

We need you to help get the job done!

Join us for the European conference for self-advocates.
We will talk about our rights and send strong messages to politicians.

Act now: let us know about your needs and dreams!