What Activities Does IASSID Sponsor?
IASSID is involved in many diverse activities. These include holding
a quadriennial international Congress, being involved with international
activities within the United Nations and the World Health Organization,
recognizing the outstanding contributions of key scientists through awards
and underwriting the work of young scientists beginning work in the field,
promoting scientific publications, advocacy and policy development in
research and services, and maintaining an international network of scientists
and others concerned with the study of intellectual disabilities.
The IASSID World Congresses
First and foremost IASSID sponsors international congresses, now held
once every four years. These international meetings provide an exciting
opportunity of presenting recent findings as well as keynote addresses
about major advances in the biological, behavioral, and social sciences
related to intellectual disabilities. These advances are also addressed
in presentations concerned with progress in the provision of services
and supports for persons with intellectual disabilities. The most recent
Congress was held in Seattle, Washington (USA) in August 2000.
International Newsletter
IASSID distributes a periodic newsletter containing information about
association activities, announcements about upcoming conferences throughout
the world, feature articles about special programs of research and research
training throughout the world, and news from the IASSID's various Special
Interest Research Groups.
Affiliated Journals
In 1995, IASSID became a co-sponsor of the Journal of Intellectual Disability
Research (JIDR). JIDR is published every other month by Blackwell Science
Press. The journal is interdisciplinary as well as international in its
scope and invites submission of empirical research and integrative review
articles from IASSID members. It is peer-reviewed and readily available
in major libraries and universities throughout the world. IASSID individual
members receive the JIDR as a membership benefit. The IASSID also sponsors
free or reduced rate subscriptions to JIDR for countries and individuals
when funds for acquisition of journals are severely limited. Members of
IASSID are nominated to serve on the international editorial board. In
addition, JIDR prints a special "news" section to keep members
informed about activities related to IASSID.
The bilingual European Journal on Mental Disability has recently become
an IASSID affiliated journal.
Sponsorship of Special Interest Research Groups (SIRGs) and Regional
Interest Groups (RIGs)
Special Interest Research Groups provide a unique opportunity for researchers
from diverse countries and disciplines to engage in a more active exchange
about key issues and findings in specific scientific areas to explore
opportunities for international collaboration, and to sponsor special
events and meetings.
Any member of IASSID may join a SIRG or may propose the establishment
of a new SIRG. There are a number of formal and informal SIRGs. The formal
ones are aging, mental health, and health issues. For a list of the informal
ones see the Informal SIRGs page.
Regional Interest Groups (RIGs) were created to encourage discussion
and collaboration within geographically related areas. IASSID facilitates
such scientific inquiry and exchange, especially to encourage local and
culturally appropriate adaptation of research methods and findings, through
its membership participation in RIGs. The IASSID has recognized the European
ASSID and a Pan-Pacific ASSID is forming.
Participation in National and Regional Scientific Meetings
IASSID co-sponsors many regional and national meetings related to the
Associations mission. In the past, IASSID has co-sponsored scientific
meetings in Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Austria, South Africa, Switzerland,
and Great Britain. IASSID seeks to provide active support for international
exchanges, especially during the years between the World Congresses, in
the form of sponsored symposia and presentations by IASSID elected officers,
councillors, and individual members.
Public and Research Policy Initiatives
IASSID works closely with various international and national organizations
in policy activities to further understanding and research related to
intellectual disabilities. It works in partnership with the Inclusion
International (formerly called the Intellectual League of Societies for
Persons with Mental Handicap), the United Nations, the World Health Organization,
and many international groups concerned with the well-being of individuals
and families affected by intellectual disabilities and other developmental
disabilities. Policy activities are designed to increase research opportunities,
the dissemination of research findings, and the translation of scientific
advances into more effective intervention practices and prevention efforts.
Awards and Recognition
The IASSID provides awards for travel scholarships for promising young
scientists. Its Stevens-Shapiro Memorial Fellowship awards were established
in 1988 in order to encourage participation by outstanding young scientists
in the IASSID international meetings. This award is open to young researchers
under 35 years of age who are actively involved in the field of intellectual
disabilities.
The IASSID also provides awards for major scientific and humanitarian
contributions to the field. It confers its highest awards for contributions
to the field of intellectual disability research and service once every
four years. The categories for awards include: Distinguished Achievement
Award -Research, Distinguished Achievement Award - Scientific Literature,
and the Distinguished Service Citation. The recipients are honored at
a special event at the World Congress. Many of the recipients have played
leadership roles in IASSID and have presented findings at the World Congresses.