Institutional Events and Conferences
EXPO AID 2023 – "Me, Person at the Center" (Rimini, 22–23 September 2023)
Promoted by the Minister for Disabilities and the National Observatory on the Condition of Persons with Disabilities, the national event convened key Third Sector and non-profit stakeholders. The conference featured six thematic seminars focusing on: universal accessibility and inclusive tourism; adaptive sports; health and social well-being; employment inclusion; neurodevelopmental disorders; and individual Life Plans. Contributions from over sixty expert panelists contributed to drafting the guidelines for the National Disability Action Plan.
Conference "Autism: A New Paradigm for Inclusion and Empowerment" (Bari, 20 April 2024)
Organized on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, the conference provided a forum for institutions, families, experts, and non-profit organizations to review innovative inclusion models, independent living strategies, and community integration frameworks.
Conference "Life Plan and Hospital Care Management: The DAMA Model and the Territory" (Rome, 27 May 2024)
Hosted at the Chamber of Deputies, the symposium—developed with the scientific coordination of Prof. Filippo Ghelma—examined advanced hospital care strategies for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, evaluating the nationwide implementation of the DAMA (Disabled Advanced Medical Assistance) protocol.
Inclusion Initiatives During the Amerigo Vespucci Mediterranean Tour
Along the Italian stops of the Navy training ship's tour, dedicated exhibition areas and public events were hosted by the Ministry for Disabilities in cooperation with Third Sector organizations to showcase skills, accessibility initiatives, and talent empowerment.
Symposium "Italy and Inclusion: The Person at the Center" (Jeddah, 28–29 January 2025)
As part of the Amerigo Vespucci World Tour, the official delegation visited the "Help Center" for children with intellectual disabilities and participated in the panel "Italy and Inclusion: The Person at the Center" held at the Villaggio Italia. Moderated by the Technical-Scientific Committee of the National Observatory, the meeting addressed international best practices in social care and inclusion strategies.
2nd Edition of the Conference "Autism: The Value of Every Person" (Treviso, 27 February 2025)
Held at the Santa Caterina Museum in Treviso, the conference reviewed regional support frameworks and community-based practices for individuals with autism spectrum conditions.
Como Lake Inclusion (Cernobbio, Villa Erba, 21 March 2025)
The event brought together institutional leadership, experts, over sixty non-profit associations, and more than one hundred students. Program panels and practical workshops addressed disability reform, the UN CRPD, the Solfagnano Charter, "After Us" legislation, family caregiving, sports, and employment integration.
Conference "From the DAMA Model to National Guidelines" (Catania, 24 May 2025)
The conference examined integration models between hospital care and local healthcare services for persons with disabilities, gathering input from scientific societies and advocacy groups to inform national guidelines for healthcare accessibility.
"Italy Together - Accessible Tourism and Territory" (Florence, 22 April 2026)
Held at the Leopolda Station in Florence, the event showcased regional projects funded through the 50 million euro annual budget allocated by the Ministry for Disabilities to enhance the accessibility of cultural heritage, beaches, museums, and urban areas, alongside funding 560 job placement traineeships.
Key milestones during the event included:
the presentation of the BILT (Beauty, Inclusion, Work, Talents) network, promoting employment opportunities in the tourism industry for young adults with disabilities;
the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cittàslow Italia network to implement accessible tourism practices across member municipalities.
The convention hosted culinary exhibition areas managed by 25 social economy entities, supported by the Emergency and Solidarity Department of the Italian Chefs Federation.
EXPO AID 2026 – "Me, Person of Value" (Rimini, Palacongressi, 25–27 June 2026)
ExpoAid 2026 established itself as Italy's primary national convention for the Third Sector and disability advocacy organizations.
The event featured over 50 fully accessible seminars (equipped with LIS sign language interpretation and real-time captioning) granting continuing education credits, addressing employment, autonomy, rare diseases, and individual Life Plans. The venue included interactive workshops, catering areas run by inclusive social enterprises, cultural screenings, and an outdoor "Sports Way" hosting adaptive sports demonstrations.