Aiming to raise awareness, the scientific personnel at the Committee organizes seminars/lectures on a regular basis. When the need arises, specialist professionals are invited to present at the seminar/lecture. The most important seminars/lectures held so far can be divided into the following categories:

(i) Seminars/lectures focusing on the effectiveness of the Supported Employment Programme. These seminars are mainly aimed at the further education of the supported employment counsellors (job coach). At the same seminars a target is to raise awareness of employers, teachers, local volunteer organizations, parent associations of special schools as well as parents of persons with an intellectual disability.

(ii) Seminars/lectures aiming at the continuing education of care workers and other employees regarding dealing with persons with an intellectual disability who live or are cared for in institutions/Day Centres /Houses in the Community. Information is given at these lectures on how to build upon the abilities of the residents but also on counselling/support and the development of the interpersonal skills of the employees themselves.

(iii) Lectures on the Early Intervention Liaison Service. These lectures aim at informing the public about the service’s action and promoting co-operation between relevant organizations that offer early intervention services or financial benefits to the children. Many of these lectures have been presented to paediatricians, health visitors, social workers, special education key workers and others.

(iv) Lectures on the rights of persons with an intellectual disability and the Committee’s role as advocate. These lectures have been presented over the years to high school teachers during their trial period as part of the training programme offered by the Pedagogic Institute, to students in the Special Education Club at the University of Cyprus, at conferences organized by the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance, as well as seminars put together by the Educational Psychology Services and the Counselling and Career education service at the Ministry of Education and Culture.

(v) Seminars/lectures aiming at creating awareness on legal capacity, self – monitored decision making and legal guardianship of adults with  intellectual disabilities. These seminars are aimed at public officers, parents’ associations and volunteer organizations informing about the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

(vi) Since 2015 lectures have been presented to persons with intellectual disabilities with the aim of creating a Self Advocacy Association in Cyprus. The lectures have focused on the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities and the guidelines of the UN Convention. 

Main tools for the Committee are the educational seminars it organizes, to promote education and sensitivity to issues regarding intellectual disability.

Over the years the following seminars have taken place:

(i) 1992 Conference: “Mental Handicap – Contemporary Trends and Applications”. The first one to be organized by the Committee, this seminar touched upon a wide variety of topics concerning education, social inclusion and behaviours in individuals with an intellectual disability, family problems, and the role of institutions in the lives of people with. The views and experiences of people with an intellectual disability and their families were also voiced at the seminar. Meanwhile, four workshops covering the seminar’s main topics also took place. Professionals from Cyprus, Greece, France and the UK took part in the seminar, which was aimed at both professionals and the public.

(ii) 1994 Conference: “Mental retardation – Early Intervention” This seminar, which was aimed at the public and professionals in the field, dealt with important issues stemming from the need for Early Intervention in order to face the problems related to intellectual disability from a medical, therapeutic, psychoanalytic, educational and social standpoint. Early identification of the disability and early intervention in order to either prevent the condition or improve the prognosis, the effect on the individual and the family as well as the support provided are of the utmost importance. Taking part in the conference, which also included some workshops, were experts from Cyprus, Greece, France and the UK.

(iii) 1995 Conference: “Supported Employment” The conference’s main focus was the supported employment institution involving individuals with specific needs. The conference was aimed at professionals and the general public. Supported employment is an institution that grants individuals with special needs the opportunity to enter the regular work force, instead of sheltered workshops. The employee is supported by a guidance counsellor (job coach) and has the rights and responsibilities of all other employees. The keynote speaker at the conference was Mr. Christie Lynch, from Ireland, an expert in matters of employment of individuals with special needs.

(iv) 1996 Conference: “Individuals with a mental handicap and their families” The conference revolved around topics on the sexuality of persons with an intellectual disability, communications and interactions between the individuals, the families and the role of professionals, centring on the transition from the home to the community. The keynote speaker was Israeli psychotherapist/ family counsellor Dr. Arnon Levitan who specializes in matters of intellectual disability. The conference was aimed at professionals, families of individuals with intellectual disability and the general public.

(v) 1997 Conference: “Cyprus – European Union. Individuals with disabilities”. The conference was organized in collaboration with the welfare   Service and Rehabilitation of the Disabled of the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance, the Committee for the Protection of People with Intellectual Disabilities and the Organisations for People with Disabilities. The topics addressed at the conference related to vocational rehabilitation, social inclusion, and legislation amendments, establishing additional services and creating equal opportunities for people with disabilities. The conference was open to all and including speakers from Cyprus, Greece and European Committee.

(vi) 1999 Conference: “Supported employment in Cyprus”. This conference was the second with regard to content to be organised by the Committee. At the first conference in 1995 an introduction to the institution was made while the second one presented the effects of its application in Cyprus. The supported employment institution was adopted in 1996 and this conference included an evaluation of the programme so far as well as an investigation of the opportunities for further growth both in terms of quantity and quality. Moreover, the conference aimed at raising awareness and sensitivity in the eyes of the general public, the public sector and other institutions with regards to upgrading the supported employment programme. The keynote speaker was an expert in matters of supported employment for individuals with special needs, Irishman Mr. Christie Lynch, while presentations were also made by employers who adopted the programme as well as the scientific personnel of the Committee. A workshop was also organised alongside the conference aimed at the education of job coaches.

(vii) 2000 Conference: “Social inclusion of Adults with Mental Handicap”. The conference comprised of presentations by Greek and Cypriot experts in the field. Aimed at educating and sensitizing the public, the topics addressed included the following:

• Contemporary approaches, policies and practices in effect abroad, with a focus on Greece.
• Policies and approaches in effect in Cyprus, state policies and programmes, initiatives and programmes by NGOs, and local and other departments and organizations.
• An evaluation of the effectiveness of various actions in Cyprus.
• Prospects and approaches for the future.

The conference was aimed at representatives of public services, local departments, the church, volunteer organizations and associations, professionals involved in the care and support of people with intellectual disabilities, labour unions and generally all those involved in matters of intellectual disabilities.

(viii) 2003 Conference: “Citizens with Mental Handicap in Cyprus” The main topic and motto of the conference was the right of individuals with intellectual disabilities to be regarded as citizens, and all that follows. Topics addressed pertained to the social domain, such as the right to independent living, the right to work, and the right to a sexual life. Emphasis was placed on evaluating the current status in Cyprus viewed by the parents of individuals with mental ha intellectual disabilities  and the role of the media   in changing public opinion. Meanwhile, the views of the individuals with intellectual disabilities themselves regarding their desires, freedom of choice and the degree of authority they felt were equally important issues. Speaking at the conference were experts from Greece and Cyprus as well as employers and parents. The conference aimed at sensitizing the community to accept persons with intellectual disabilities and was open to all interested members of the public.

(ix) 2008 conference: “The importance of intervention measures in shaping positive attitudes towards individuals with mental handicap”. As part of its continuing mission to educate and sensitize public opinion on matters of intellectual disability, the Committee organized a one-day conference focusing on the importance of intervention measures in shaping positive attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities. The conference was divided into two parts. Part 1 focused on the research/evaluation of the current status while Part 2 centred on intervention measures.

(x) 2011 conference: “Actions of families regarding inclusion and integration in society of persons with an intellectual disability” The conference was co-organised by the Pancyprian Association of parents of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and the European Organisation Inclusion Europe. The family members are the most reliable sources for supporting social inclusion. The conference had as its main aim to demonstrate the main actions that must be taken by governments, local authorities, parents’ associations, advocates and volunteers with the ultimate aim of supporting and mobilizing the families.

Distinguished speakers from abroad explained how the Treaty of the United Nations relates to all the families who have a member with an intellectual disability. For young parents a reference was made to parent support and early intervention. Special emphasis was made to integration of children in school and planning of their future lives. Representatives from local authorities referred to how they could become involved in the planning regarding integration of people with disabilities and supporting at all levels. During the conference emphasis was given to a personized approach, with participation of the people with disabilities themselves for the planning of tailored activities. The particular approach was discussed thoroughly in the work groups.

For more information on past conferences you may contact the offices of the Committee for the Protection of the Rights of People with Disability.