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Hi (apologies for cross-posting) In early 2008 the European Commission established its new 'Academic Network of Disability experts' (ANED), managed by Human European Consultancy (Netherlands) and the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (UK). The purpose of the Network is to support the Commission's policy development by providing high quality evidence. This is achieved by building upon the expertise of existing research centres and networks, supported by organizational partners, national experts in 30 countries, thematic rapporteurs, advisors, consultation with disabled people's organisations, and links to international monitoring projects in the disability policy field. Progress to date has focused on establishing the Network's infrastructure and negotiating areas of policy priority with the EU Commission. We would now like to expand our pool of experts in some specific areas, and to appoint expert rapporteurs to undertake the preparation of some specific outputs. We would welcome initial expressions of interest from individuals or research teams with expertise to conduct the following tasks: SUBJECT: THE AVAILABILITY OF COMPARABLE DATA ON INCLUSION OF DISABLED PEOPLE IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES OUTPUT: an annotated review of comparative data sources relevant to the situation of disabled people in European countries The objectives of the review are to provide more systematic information on the availability of data on disability policies and the situation of disabled people in European countries, and to make this information accessible to policy makers and researchers. * To review existing sources of comparative data on the situation of disabled people in European countries (i.e. existing datasets and major studies); * To provide more systematic summary information on the availability of existing data indicators, how they can be used in European policy research, and their limitations; * To provide initial recommendations to the Commission on the development of disability indicators for monitoring future policy implementation within the Framework of the UN Convention. SUBJECT: THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EMPLOYMENT POLICIES IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES OUTPUT: a thematic report on implementation of the EU Employment Strategy in relation to disabled people The objectives of the report are to review national implementation of the European Employment Strategy from a disability perspective, and to provide the Commission with useful evidence in support of disability policy mainstreaming. * To review implementation of the EU Employment Strategy with reference to Member States National Reform Programs and the PROGRESS initiative * To produce a thematic report including national policy and research evidence (provided by the Network's country experts) * To provide recommendations to the Commission on priorities for future policy and research development (i.e. in developing the EU Disability Action Plan) SUBJECT: THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES FOR SOCIAL PROTECTION AND INCLUSION IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES OUPUT: a thematic report on implementation of social protection strategies in relation to disabled people The objectives of the response to requests are to provide the Commission with timely and appropriate evidence that is fit for purpose, and to manage such responses within the available resources and budget of the Network. * To review implementation of the EU Strategies for Social Protection and Social Inclusion with reference to Member States National Strategic Reports * To produce a thematic report including national evidence from policy and research (provided by the Network's country experts) * To provide recommendations to the Commission on priorities for policy and research development (i.e. in developing the EU Disability Action Plan) No new data collection will be required. Rapporteurs will be provided with source material (including reports/examples from each country) and will work collaboratively with the Network's Directors and lead researchers to produce synthetic reviews (an expectation of approximately 25 days work between April and October 2008). We would also welcome additions to our general pool of experts for future work in these areas (for example, as advisors, collaborators, peer reviewers, etc.) For an informal discussion or further details of the tasks, please email [log in to unmask] Best wishes Professor Mark Priestley Scientific Director ANED - the European Commission' s Academic Network of European Disability experts ________________End of message________________ This Disability-Research Discussion list is managed by the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies). Enquiries about list administration should be sent to [log in to unmask] Archives and tools are located at: www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/disability-research.html You can VIEW, POST, JOIN and LEAVE the list by logging in to this web page.