This year’s forum focused on the quality of life of people with special needs. More than 500 caregivers, service providers, and disability self-advocates from 66 cities in Russia and neighbouring countries attended the 3-day forum held in Moscow between 14 and 16 October. This annual event is organised by the Naked Heart Foundation, an organisation that is actively involved in building an inclusive society that is open to people with disabilities and special needs and their families. The forum aims to facilitate the development of Russia’s professional community and to raise public awareness of various developmental disorders such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and others. A famous TV presenter, Tatyana Lazareva, opened the event. She interviewed a panel of well-known self-advocates who shared their personal stories about aspects that they think are important for their quality of life.

Dr Liezl Schlebusch, from the Centre for Autism Research in Africa at the University of Cape Town, was one of the invited international speakers who talked about the family quality of life of families who are raising children with autism spectrum disorder. She also joined other international speakers Dr Stormi White and Dr Mindy Scheithauer from the Marcus Autism Center at Emory University, and Cathy Binger from the University of New Mexico in a panel discussion on the topic of quality of life for people with disabilities.

For more information about the Naked Heart Foundation and the 8th international forum click here.

Left to right: Dr Slava Dobvnya (conference organiser), Dr Liezl Shlebusch (invited speaker), Tatiana Morozova (conference organiser)