From the official statement:
This year, as has become tradition, Anffas opens its doors to the entire community to raise awareness and share information about intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders, promoting a message of hope so that the principles and civil and human rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities take root and flourish.
This year's Open Day holds special meaning for Anffas: on March 28, 2018, Anffas turns 60. The Open Day thus becomes an opportunity to trace the history of our extended family, a history marked by great struggles and great victories won for and with people with disabilities and their families. It is a story that continues day by day with many challenges ahead and many more milestones to reach in order to secure genuine and full respect for the rights of people with disabilities.
The 2018 Open Day will officially launch celebrations of our sixtieth anniversary, which will continue throughout the year. Approximately 1,000 Anffas Onlus facilities across Italy will organize numerous initiatives—seminars, screenings, conferences, performances, and many other events designed to spread the culture of social inclusion and non-discrimination through the active participation of people with disabilities, members, workers, volunteers, and everyone who works within Anffas. Above all, these events will bring to the attention of communities the many new projects, including European initiatives, in which people with intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders are active participants. Among these are projects on easy-to-read language and active citizenship. There will also be celebrations marking Anffas's 60 years, which member associations are already planning.
As in previous years, the Open Day aims to foster a new understanding of disability, bringing the public into contact with a reality far removed from the stereotype that stigmatizes people with intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders—the false image that sees them as passive, limited, needing only care, compassion, and medical services, or worse, as burdens.
Through events marking the anniversary, people will be able to explore 60 years of Anffas history and, in turn, the history of people with disabilities in Italy and their families. Direct dialogue and contact with communities and territories where our associations work across Italy—and genuine involvement of the entire public—will help counter the stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination that still surround people with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders. It is a step forward in building an inclusive society that does not discriminate against anyone and guarantees equal opportunities for all in full respect of the new cultural paradigms introduced by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
On the dedicated page you can find all initiatives organized by member associations throughout the country, arranged by region (the page is updated regularly).
We also announce that for the anniversary celebration, Anffas Onlus National headquarters will also be open for the Open Day: the entire staff looks forward to welcoming you in Rome at Via Casilina 3/t! You'll be able to pick up informational materials, learn details about our activities, initiatives and projects, and celebrate together.
Source: Anffas onlus