This edition of the IASSIDD newsletter includes important updates from the Board, information about upcoming meetings and events, and opportunities for members to engage more deeply in our shared work.
I am writing during the Noongar season of Bunuru (first nation people where I live in Perth Western Australia have six seasons), the hottest and driest time of the year, marked by heat, coastal living, and deep connections to land and sea. Bunuru reflects adaptation, resilience and community, qualities that also underpin IASSIDD’s mission. As this newsletter addresses global challenges, organisational priorities and opportunities for engagement, the season of Bunuru offers a timely reminder of the importance of connection, shared responsibility and collective care.
I often find myself writing this newsletter while travelling, and this edition is no exception. Today I am sitting on the tarmac, waiting while engineers assess whether our plane will be cleared to depart or whether we will be offloaded, with the latter looking increasingly likely. Around me, reactions range from quiet resignation to rising anxiety as it becomes clear that many connecting flights will have departed long before we arrive.
I am writing at a time when travel itself feels like a privilege. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted major global routes, leaving many people unable to move freely or safely. More critically, once again, we see innocent individuals and families in many countries directly caught up in larger global conflicts. We are also starkly reminded that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often disproportionately affected, not only as individuals but alongside the communities in which they live.
IASSIDD has an established Position Statement on Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Armed and Conflict Situations, available on our website. As of early 2026, there are nearly 60 state-based conflicts worldwide, with 11 categorized as full-scale wars. Some of these conflicts receive more attention than others and attract greater global scrutiny and debate. Members within their IASSIDD work are strongly encouraged to use this statement and apply it to their own contexts in ways that are consistent with the organization’s mandate.
In recent communications, members have called for the organization to comment on specific conflicts and governments. While the Board fully respects the right of members to express and share their individual views, IASSIDD remains a nonpolitical and nonpartisan organization. In response to these requests, the Board has now finalized a new position statement titled IASSIDD Mandate that can be found on the website.
IASSIDD grounds all its activities, communications and advocacy in its mission to advance knowledge, research and practice in partnership with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Advocacy is recognized as essential to promoting rights and well-being and is pursued through issue advocacy, public education and policy analysis when aligned with the mission and supported by strong evidence. IASSIDD operates in a nonpolitical and nonpartisan manner and does not support or oppose political parties, governments or ideologies.
Members Meetings
By now you should have received notification of the first members meetings for 2026. These meetings provide an opportunity for members to connect and for the Board to share key updates. They are also a valuable forum to raise issues and take part in discussion. As a global organization, we are holding the meetings three times across a 24-hour period. Please choose the time that works best for you. I look forward to seeing you at one of the meetings. The agenda will include updates on strategic and operational plans, portfolio reports, the Treasurer’s report, and information about the upcoming Director elections.
- Europe
Date/Time: Mon, March 23, 04:00 PM UTC; 05:00 PM CET
Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/q64i_a3CSrWIPKGkUF-JlQ
- Australasia
Date/Time: Tue, March 24, 7:00 AM UTC
Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/NIY5mZegTzWr9rMQDMQflQ
- Americas
Date/Time: Tue, March 24, 06:00 PM New York, EDT; 10:00 PM UTC
Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/arQmSdbNSxS5Wxq18336Iw
7th IASSIDD European Congress
Hopefully by now you will all have received information about the 7th IASSIDD European Congress being help In Munich, from July 28 – 31. The theme is “real.time Shaping the future with and for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities”. Early bird registrations are now open
IASSIDD European Congress 2026 – real.time – Shaping the Future Together
A big thank you to Peter Zentel, Meike Engelhardt & Manuel Schwartze and the Organising Team. It is shaping up to be another memorable IASSIDD Congress.
IASSIDD Director (Board) Elections in 2026
Every three years, IASSIDD holds an election for up to ten Directors who together form the Board of the Organisation. This process was introduced for the first time in 2023 following changes to the By-Laws and IASSIDD governance structures. From among the elected Directors, the President, who also serves as Board Chair, is elected by the Board.
I will provide further information about IASSIDD governance at the members meetings and in future communications. I encourage all members who are interested in a leadership role within IASSIDD to consider this opportunity. Elections will take place in September, so there is ample time to reflect on your interest. If you are considering nominating, I recommend reviewing the By-Laws (on website), which outline the requirements for Directors. I, or any member of the Board, would be very happy to discuss this further with you.
Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities
After ten years of dedicated service as Co-Editors of the Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities (JPPID), Professors Laurence Taggart and Rhonda Faragher have announced that they will be stepping down from their roles.
The journal has flourished under their leadership. Since they took on the Co-Editorship in 2016, readership has grown substantially, with 135,000 full-text views recorded in each of the past two years. The journal’s Impact Factor has also increased steadily, rising from 0.8 to 2.5, reflecting the growing influence and citation of JPPID articles across the field. Laurence and Rhonda leave the journal in a very strong position as it moves into its next phase. Thank you on behalf of all members for your work and contributions.
I am pleased to advise that the advertisement for the role of Editor-in-Chief of JPPID is now live and can be accessed here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/17411130/cfa-eic.
If you would like to discuss the role or learn more about what it involves, please feel free to speak with Laurence at aurence.taggart@qub.ac.uk or Rhonda at r.faragher@uq.edu.au