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 | Between silence and risk
How people with intellectual disability raise concerns in paid care relationships.Proudly presented by the ASID Victoria division.Tuesday, 21 April 202612:30pm – 2:00pm (AEST - Sydney time)2:30pm – 4:00pm (NZST - New Zealand time)Webinar: via ZoomCost: Free for ASID members Free for people with...
Webinar | Including people with intellectual disabilities on boards: Legal issues
Thursday, 23 April 202612:30pm – 1:30pm (AEST - Sydney time)2:30pm – 3:30pm (NZST - New Zealand time)Webinar: via Zoom Cost: Free for ASID members $25 for non-members AboutThe Disability Royal Commission encouraged disability service providers to include people with disabilities on...
2026 | A place to call home: Interface hospital to home
Thursday, 2 April 202612:30pm – 1:30pm (AEDT - Sydney time)2:30pm – 3:30pm (NZDT - New Zealand time)Webinar: via Zoom Cost: Free for ASID members $30 for non-members About This webinar will present three models from across Australia and New Zealand on the challenges for people with Intellectual...
2026 | Experiences with co-design and co-research
Thursday, 5 March 202612:30pm – 1:30pm (AEDT - Sydney time)2:30pm – 3:30pm (NZDT - New Zealand time)Webinar: via ZoomCost: Free for ASID members $25 for non-members About In this webinar, Julia will talk about her experiences as a researcher with a learning disability working in a busy research...
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...
