Greetings from the lands of the Wudjuk Noongar People, the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which I am privileged to work, learn, and grow (Perth, Western Australia). The Noongar people share with us valuable insights into their acknowledges and ways of working, including their recognition of six distinct seasons across the year, rather than the conventional four.
As I write this, we are a month into autumn, yet the temperature remains a sweltering 40°C. This time of year, known as Bunuru, is traditionally considered the hottest season, marked by little to no rain, and hot easterly winds with a cooling sea breeze in the afternoons—if you’re close to the coast.
The six season always reminds me of the importance of reflection and humility in our work and our commitment to engaging with diverse cultures to enable greater understanding. It’s crucial that we remain open to learning from the traditional custodians of the land, as well as recognising that many of the systems we’ve inherited from colonisation may not always be inclusive or suitable for all. Although certain dominant paradigms may overlook these matters, I firmly believe that IASSIDD, with its values of inclusion and equity, must always challenge exclusionary practices.
One clear example of this challenge is reflected in how we assume that we conduct all our activities and communications only in English language formats. In the age of modern technology and AI, we must ask ourselves: Does it still need to be this way? How do we go about universally designing how we do our business?
As an organisation, we must constantly challenge ourselves to rethink practices that may inadvertently exclude diverse voices, particularly in today’s digital and AI-driven world. Language barriers still limit the ways in which IASSIDD, and its members can fully engage with global perspectives. This concern was raised by delegates at the 2024 Chicago Convention, and I believe it is now time for us to seriously consider how we can ensure that the term “international” reflects its fullest meaning—embracing inclusivity across cultures and languages.
This is just one of the many priorities facing IASSIDD in the coming years. The Board has been working diligently to develop a concise, focused three-year strategic plan that will guide the organisation’s success. We are eager to share the plan with you at the upcoming Members Meeting in May. I encourage you to join us for this important session to stay informed, engage with our vision for the future, and contribute your ideas to help shape IASSIDD’s direction.
Key highlights of the meeting include:
- Updates on IASSIDD’s financial position
- Presentation of the three-year strategic plan across key portfolios
- A discussion on IASSIDD’s values and aims
- Interactive Q&A session – share your thoughts and ask questions
Given the global nature of IASSIDD’s membership, we are offering three meeting times to accommodate different time zones. Please choose the time that best suits your schedule and register accordingly:
- Europe: May 5, 2025, 14:00 UTC
- Australasia: May 6, 2025, 05:00 UTC
- Americas: May 6, 2025, 20:00 UTC
We will send member’s an email to register for the sessions. If you would like to propose an agenda item for the meeting, please feel free to email me directly at angus.buchanan@iassidd.org.
Lastly, I would like to remind you of the upcoming IASSIDD Asia Pacific Congress, scheduled to be held in Singapore from October 14 to 17 October, 2025. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore) for their leadership as the Local Organising Committee. Their dedication promises to make this congress an exciting and enriching event, both scientifically and culturally. As we approach the congress, I encourage you to explore the event details and consider registering for what promises to be an invaluable experience.
Further information, including the event schedule, registration details, and more, can be found at the official congress website on this link.
Thank you for your continued commitment to IASSIDD, and I look forward to engaging with you all at the Members Meeting and the upcoming Congress.
Angus Buchanan
IASSIDD President