Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability
Our Mission
ASID is a peak body in intellectual disability research in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Research gives us good evidence. Good evidence helps to make good policy and practice. Good policy and practice help people with intellectual disabilities to have good lives.
ASID will hold its 2026 Conference in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre from 19–20 October 2026.
The theme for the 2026 Conference is: 20 Years of the UN Convention: Reflect and Reimagine its Promise for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
The conference marks 20 years since the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) was adopted. It is a chance to look at what has improved for people with intellectual disabilities, what still needs to change, and how we can work together to shape the future.
The ASID 2026 Conference will bring together researchers, advocates, policymakers, service providers, families, carers, and people with intellectual disabilities from across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Over two days, the program will share new research, practical ideas, lived experience insights, and policy developments that support people with intellectual disabilities to live full and inclusive lives.
Upcoming Events
Webinar | What can big data tell us about the lives of people with intellectual disabilities?
Since 2022, IHC New Zealand has been using a large research database of government information to better understand the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities across the country. This webinar will share insights or understandings from this work, including findings from From Data to...
Webinar | Understanding Behaviour with People with Intellectual Disability through the CALMER® Approach
CALMER® emerged from valuing the life, experiences, and perspectives that people with intellectual disability bring to understanding behaviour and co-designing support.Research and lived experience show that some approaches to behaviour support can feel disconnected from the person's own...
Webinar | Implementing Active Support : What does it take?
Chris Bigby will talk about implementing Active Support and Frontline Practice Leadership in disability support organisations.Chris will use findings from the La Trobe longitudinal study and examples from participating organisations.The session will explore:what helps Active Support succeed,what...
Webinar | Creating inclusive spaces with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
Wednesday, 6 May 202612:30pm – 1:30pm (AEST - Sydney time)2:30pm – 3:30pm (NZST - New Zealand time)Webinar: via Zoom Cost: Free for ASID members $30 for non-members Speaker Sandee Facy - Head of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Aus/NZ Sandee Facy is the Head of Hidden...
Latest News
ASID Journals | Expressions of Interest: Self-Advocate Writing
Over the past few years, ASID has run a trial program. This program supports people with intellectual disabilities to write responses to articles in our journal, Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. You can see examples in recent issues here. In 2026–27, ASID will...
ASID Position Statement | Including board directors with intellectual disabilities
ASID has published a new position statement on Including board directors with intellectual disabilities. It is available on our website on the tab resources and then position statements. Including board directors with intellectual disabilities ASID supports the human rights of people with...
Submit an manuscript to the journal: Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (RAPIDD)
The journal, Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, is welcoming submissions for a special issue on "20 Years of the UNCRPD: What’s changed, and what hasn’t, for people with intellectual disabilities?". About: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons...
ASID / AGM 2025 Notice of Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability Ltd will be held on Thursday, 13 November at 5:00 pm AEDT / 7:00 pm NZDT. You can attend in person or by zoom. The in-person meeting will be in one of the rooms at the ASID conference in Sydney. It will be the...
