CoDis 2026: 7th Conference on Disability "Meeting Them Where They Are: Emotion, Communication, and the Power of Connection" Via Appia Antica, 203 00178 Rome, Italy, November 5-6, 2026

CODIS 2026 – 7th Conference on Disability invites submissions for its 2026 edition titled: “Entrare nel loro mondo: emozione, comunicazione e potenza della relazione – Meeting Them Where They Are: Emotion, Communication, and the Power of Connection”. The event is organized as a Joint Seminar with the European Association for Mental Health in Intellectual Disability (EAMHID).

This conference is dedicated to intellectual and developmental disabilities, with particular attention to adulthood. The aim of the event is to foster dialogue between clinical practice, research, and services, promoting the exchange of experiences, research findings, and innovative approaches to assessment, treatment, and support.

Contributions based on clinical experience, service projects, case studies, and applied research are welcome. Clinicians, researchers, and professionals are invited to submit abstracts for oral presentations or posters. As the number of oral presentation slots is limited, some accepted submissions may be assigned to poster presentations.

Important Dates

• Submission deadline: 30 April 2026
• Notification of acceptance: June 2026
• Conference dates: 5–6 November 2026

Submission Guidelines

All submissions must present original work and must not have been previously published or simultaneously submitted to another conference.

Each author may present only one contribution (oral presentation or poster). Authors may be co-authors of multiple submissions, but may present only one contribution. At least one author of each accepted submission must register for the conference in order for the contribution to be included in the final program.

• Abstract length: up to 500 words
• Language of submission: English, Italian
• Review process: peer review by the Scientific Committee

List of Topics

• clinical practice in intellectual and developmental disabilities
• mental health in intellectual disability
• diagnostic assessment and clinical tools 
• pharmacological and therapeutic interventions
• emotional development approaches in clinical practice
• augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)  
• Snoezelen, sensory approaches, and multisensory environments
• innovative and digital approaches in care and support
• models of care and rehabilitation in intellectual disability

Publication

Selected contributions may be considered for publication in 2027.

Scientific Committee 

listed in alphabetical order

• Dr. Marco Bertelli (CREA – Florence, Italy)
• Dr. Agreta Bicaj (Casa Santa Rosa – Rome, Italy)
• Dr. Valentina Di Cesaria (Casa Santa Rosa – Rome, Italy)
• Dr. Geni Lattanzio (Casa Santa Rosa – Rome, Italy)
• Dr. Marco Montanari (Casa Santa Rosa – Rome, Italy)
• Dr. Claudio Pellegrini (Casa Santa Rosa – Rome, Italy)
• Dr. Jacopo Santambrogio (Presidio Corberi – Limbiate, Italy)
• Dr. Giovanna Sarpa (Casa Santa Rosa – Rome, Italy)
• Prof. Erik Weber (University of Erfurt – Erfurt, Germany)

Scientific Coordinator and Contact Person

Dr. Marco Montanari (Casa Santa Rosa – Rome, Italy)

Email: m.montanari@casasantarosa.it