Disability network holds tenth annual meeting

On 16-17 November, members of the EU's Academic Network of European Disability experts (ANED) held its tenth annual meeting in Brussels. Policy researchers representing 35 European countries met with advisors from the disability movement, policy makers and staff from the European Commission to discuss the progress and current challenges in evidence-based policy making. Copies of the presentations and audio recordings are available on the ANED website.

The Academic Network of European Disability experts (ANED) was created by the European Commission in December 2007 to establish and maintain a pan-European academic network in the disability field that supports policy development in collaboration with the Commission's Disability Unit. It has been chaired by Professor Mark Priestley from the University of Leeds since its foundation.

ANED builds upon the expertise of existing disability research centres, supported by national experts, thematic rapporteurs, and links to relevant networks in the disability policy field. Its philosophy and aims support the objectives of European disability policy towards the goal of full participation and equal opportunities for all disabled people.

In this way, ANED provides a coordinating infrastructure of academic support for implementation of the European Disability Strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.