Mission

The SIRG-PIMD focuses on individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD / PMLD). They form a heterogeneous group. They are characterized by very severe cognitive, neuromotor and/or sensory disabilities, which lead to very intensive support needs.

The mission of the SIRG-PIMD is:

To provide a worldwide network for the exchange of knowledge and insights on persons with PIMD from research and practice. The SIRG-PIMD brings together researchers and practitioners with different disciplines and from different countries.
To promote cross-national, multidisciplinary collaboration in the area of persons with PIMD.
To provide a framework for the dissemination of information relating to the research interests, expertise, and publications of group members.
To foster innovation and quality improvement in the support of persons with PIMD. The ultimate aim of the group is to improve the quality of life and services for people with PIMD, their carers, and their families.

Within the overall process of collaboration, the views and contributions of non-professionals, including people with intellectual disabilities and their families and friends, are a fundamental component, and will be given the priority they deserve.

The SIRG works by means of a newsletter, website, and roundtable conferences. The group also makes several contributions on the European, Asia-Pacific and World Congresses of IASSIDD. There is a dynamic early career researchers group.

Chair: Bea Maes

Newsletter: Meike Engelhardt

JPIDD associate editor: Vera Munde

Website: Darren Chadwick

Early Career Researchers: Edina Hanley, Sanne Nieuwenhuis

Bylaws

Download a copy of the Bylaws here

Documents and Publications

Newsletters

Members Meetings

Reports of activities

Events

The next Early Career Researchers Meeting will be organized on Tuesday 28 July, before the start of the European conference, in Munich.

Executive

Bea Maes, Belgium: Chair
Annette Van der Putten, The Netherlands
Nan-Chieh Chen, Taiwan
Krysti De Zonia, US
Kathleen Tait, Australia
Vera Munde, Germany

Contact person

For information on joining the SIRG-PIMD, contact the SIRG Chair,
Bea Maes at bea.maes@kuleuven.be
or write to

Bea Maes
Research Centre on Special Education and Parenting
University of Leuven
Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 32, B-3000 Leuven
Belgium