IASSID 2nd Asia Pacific Regional Congress on Creating Possibilities for an Inclusive Society
Furama Riverfront Singapore
June 24 to 27, 2009
Over 400 professionals from Singapore and around the world are expected to attend this congress organized by the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities (IASSID.
The 4-day programme will address issues of concern for people with intellectual disability and their service providers. This congress is a platform to address issues of poverty, poor health and social exclusion that contribute to the incidence of Intellectual Disability. It will also highlight the latest research to inform thedevelopment of evidence-based health and social services across the Asia Pacific
region, to promote the exchange of ideas between researchers and practitioners, and to promote evidence-based best practices among service providers and in turn promote a supportive and an inclusive society for people with disability.
IASSID has been hosting a World Congress approximately every 4 years since 1964. More recently, in addition to world congresses, it has been hosting regional conferences in Europe, South America, and Asia. This will be IASSID's second Asia Pacific Conference, the first was held at Taipei in 2005. Plans are already in place for the 3rd IASSID Asia Pacific Conference, to be held at Tokyo.
For this 2nd Asia Pacific congress IASSID has partnered major Singapore educational and medical institutions, government organizations and VWOs. Representation from NIE (National Institute of Education), DSA (Down Syndrome Association (Singapore)), MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled), APSN (Association for Persons with Special Needs), SSTI (Singapore Social Service Training Institute), are few among others from the many organizations involved.
Other partners and events held in conjunction with the congress are:
IASSID has sought the collaboration and involvement from the Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine (AADDM), whereby a meeting will conducted with the view to supporting the development of a network among medical practitioners in Singapore and the region who are involved with patients with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. AADDM will also be presenting a stream of papers that will highlight recent developments in medical research and practice, with particular interest to all involved in the development of health policy and the delivery of medical services.
So too, the International Society for Augmentative & Alternative Communication (ISAAC) will be hosting a stream of specialist papers during the conference. ISAAC will also be conducting its inaugural meeting in Asia and working with the Singaporean Society for the Physically Disabled to host several pre-conferenceworkshops.
The following is a list of some of the highlights/events that will take place during the IASSID 2nd Asia Pacific Congress: -
1. IASSID Executive Board Meeting
2. IASSID Academy Meeting
3. Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine Annual Conference
& Annual General Meeting
4. International Society for Augmentative & Alternative Communication Symposia
5. IASSID Asia Pacific Research to Practice Roundtable
6. Special Interest Research Groups [SIRG] & Affinity Group
Symposia & Meetings will focus on the following topics:
• Quality of Life
• Ageing
• Mental Health & Behaviour
• Health / developmental Disability medicine
• Parenting / Support Groups
• Down syndrome
7. Asia Pacific Down Syndrome Federation meeting with Executive members of Down Syndrome International
8. Pre & Post Congress Workshops
9. We plan on having performances by people with intellectual disability at the various social events during the congress
Guest of Honour is Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) for the Opening Ceremony, Wednesday 24 June 2009, 6pm
About IASSID
IASSID is an international and inter-disciplinary scientific non-governmental organisation. The association founded in 1964, promotes worldwide research and exchange of information on intellectual disabilities. It is a member of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Intellectuality Disability represents the single largest disability group and has its highest incidence in developing countries. Research indicates that the occurrence of Intellectual Disability is closely linked to the effects of poverty and, more recently, to the spread of HIV Aids in developing countries.
Role of the various organisations that partnered IASSID for the congress.
VWOs, such as APSN, MINDS, DSA, St. Andrew’s Hospital:
there is representation from the various local VWOs on the local organising committee assisting with the organisation of the congress. All these VWOs have common objectives to provide services and look after the needs of children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Learning Disabilities, therefore having united together to support this scientifically oriented conference is a joint effort to pull together resources as well as to share expertise and knowledge in the field of intellectual disability and learning disabilities. Also an opportunity for further training/gaining extended knowledge for the local professionals and teachers.
National Institute of Education (NIE) is partner in the Scientific/Programme committee including review of the overseas and local paper submissions. The Scientific and Review committee includes professionals from all over the world.
Ministry of Education (MOE) supports and has given their endorsement.
Social Service Training Institute (SSTI) is one of the main bodies providing training in the field of social service also related to disability.
They have also representation in the local organising committee.
International Society for Augmentative & Alternative Communication (ISAAC) is not a local organisation. They are however planning symposia in collaboration with SPD (Society for the Physically Disabled)
Prof Robert Davis, Secretary of Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine (AADDM) - is in touch with senior specialists in KK Hospital and NUH with regards to the developmental disability medicine stream and meeting in the congress. This augurs well for the disability sector in
Singapore.
Please visit http://www.iassid.org for more information and news about IASSID
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