Autism Europe is an international association whose main objective is to advance the rights of persons with autism and their families and to help them improve their quality of life. Autism-Europe ensures effective liaison between approximately 85 member associations of parents of persons with autism in 31 European countries, including 20 Member States of the European Union, governments and European and international institutions. Autism-Europe plays a key role in raising public awareness, and in influencing the European decision-makers on all issues relating to autism, including the promotion of the rights of people with autism and other disabilities involving complex dependency needs. More information is available at: www.autismeurope.org
The Center for Policy Studies (CPS) works for better government and administration in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union through public policy teaching and research. Based at the Central European University, CPS carries out research projects, develops materials for teaching and training, offers a masters degree in public policy and, in conjunction with the Open Society Institute, sponsors policy research in transition and emerging democracies. The Center is committed to the development of indigenous policy capacities and offers an on-line library of policy research papers from the region. An active member of several policy networks, CPS organises conferences, workshops and public events to encourage interaction between academics, policy institutes and policy makers and to promote exchange of expertise and best practice. The center's activities are inter-disciplinary, comparative and geared towards policy recommendations and practical outcomes. More information is available at: http://cps.ceu.hu
The European Disability Forum (EDF) is a European umbrella organisation representing more than 50 million disabled people in Europe. Its mission is to promote equal opportunities for disabled people and to ensure disabled citizens' full access to fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in the European Union. EDF member organisations reflect a broad geographical base and a wide range of concerns across the disability movement. The membership includes the national councils of disabled people from all EU and EEA Member States, representing the national disability movements. In addition, there are broad range of organisations representing different disability groups and campaign interests in Europe. EDF was created in 1996 by disabled people and parents of disabled who cannot represent themselves in order to defend issues of common concern to all disability groups and be the independent and strong voice of disabled citizens in dialogue with the EU. More information is available at: www.edf-feph.org
EDF Policy Statement on Community Living (January 2007) [Click here to download]
The European Network on Independent Living (ENIL) is the umbrella organisation of individuals and organisations dedicated to promoting Independent Living among persons with disabilities and the general public in Europe. Independent Living is a philosophy and a movement of people with disabilities who work for equal opportunities, self-respect and self-determination. More information is available at: www.enil.eu
Inclusion Europe campaigns for the rights and interests of people with intellectual disability and their families throughout Europe. The organisation's priority areas are human rights of people with intellectual disability, inclusion in society and non-discrimination. Inclusion Europe co-ordinates activities in many European countries, including conferences, working groups and exchange meetings. It responds to European political proposals and provides information about the needs of people with intellectual disability. Inclusion Europe advises the European Commission and members of the European Parliament on disability issues. More information is available at: www.inclusion-europe.org
Mental Health Europe is a non governmental organisation committed to the promotion of positive mental health, the prevention of mental distress, the improvement of care and advocacy and the protection of human rights for users, ex-users, survivors and their families and carers. Mental Health Europe's values are based on co-operation and collaboration, dignity and respect, equal opportunities, freedom of choice and democracy. Created in 1985 as the Regional Council of the World Federation for Mental Health, Mental Health Europe currently has 81 member organisations in 30 European countries and 75 individual members. More information is available at: www.mhe-sme.org
The Open Society Mental Health Initiative (MHI) aims to ensure that people with mental disabilities (mental health problems and/or intellectual disabilities) are able to live as equal citizens in the community and to participate in society with full respect for their human rights. MHI works in Central and Easter Europe and the former Soviet Union. More information is available at: www.osmhi.org