The conference took place over three days, from October 7th to October 9th of 2024. The plenary sessions of the Consensus Conference on October 7th and 8th were held in the conference room of the Hotel Cala Font, located in Salou, Tarragona, Spain. This room offers sea views, and likewise, the hotel bids different types of rooms that were adapted according to the accessibility needs of the attendees. The Policy Day was followed on October 9th, in the plenary hall of the Sants-Montjuïc district headquarters, located in Barcelona.
The conference was strategically designed to involve a diverse range of participants to ensure a comprehensive and globally relevant outcome. The process involved participants pre-selecting relevant ICF categories and engaging in an iterative decision-making process in working groups, voting and plenary sessions. Key participant groups included:
- Researchers dedicated to advancing knowledge of sensory impairment, including those involved in creating ICF Core Sets for related health conditions.
- Professionals such as occupational therapists, intervenors, interpreters, healthcare and educational professionals, who contributed practical insights from their diverse international experiences.
- Policymakers who contributed to shaping global healthcare strategies related to sensory impairment, providing essential insights for the practical implementation of the Core Sets.
- People living with deafblindness and their formal or informal caregivers in congenital cases, who are central to this initiative and offered unique global perspectives, highlight the universal relevance of incorporating lived experiences into the Core Set development. This included parents engaged as researchers and advocates, siblings, children of parents with deafblindness, young adults in self-advocacy, and representatives across the lifespan.
On the Policy Day (October 9th), specific groups were brought together for results dissemination:
- Deafblindness professionals who have played a significant role in the development of the ICF project.
- Health care professionals and providers who can potentially contribute to the implementation of the final codes.
- Local, state, and EU political representatives who potentially contribute to the inclusion of the final codes in the WHO.
- People with lived experience who have been involved in the ICF project.
- Interested members of the general public, particularly within the health and social care field.
The conference schedule for the first two days (October 7th-8th) was structured as follows:
Day 1 –– Core Set Development for Deafblindness International Consensus Conference (October 7th)
Morning session 1: Opening Ceremony
○ Welcome speech by Ricard Lopez and Mirko Baur
○ Keynote speech on the significance of the ICF core set for deafblindness – Dr Sarah Granberg
○ Introduction to the conference objectives – Dr Walter Wittich
Morning session 2: Overview and training on ICF Categories
○ Presentation on ICF framework and categories
○ Importance of activities and participation, environmental factors, body functions, body structures, and personal factors in deafblindness
Afternoon Session 1: Activities and Participation in Deafblindness
○ Presentation on relevant ICF codes
○ Discussion on undetermined codes
○ Group work: Establishing a battery of codes
Afternoon Session 2: Environmental Factors Discussion
○ Presentation on relevant ICF codes
○ Discussion on undetermined codes
○ Group work: Establishing a battery of codes
Day 2 –– Core Set Development for Deafblindness International Consensus Conference (October 8th)
Morning session 1: Body Functions and Structures Discussion
○ Presentation on relevant ICF codes
○ Discussion on undetermined codes
○ Group work: Establishing a battery of codes
Morning session 2: Personal Factors Discussion
○ Presentation on relevant ICF codes
○ Discussion on undetermined codes
○ Group work: Establishing a battery of codes
Afternoon Session 1: Integrating Discussions
○ Summary of the previous day’s discussions
○ Comparative analysis of identified codes
○ Open discussion for questions
Afternoon Session 2: Finalizing the Core Set
○ Synthesizing recommendations from each category
○ Establishing consensus on a comprehensive ICF core set for deafblindness
Day 3 –– Policy Day (October 9th)
This day was devoted to organizing an institutional event to launch the results dissemination phase. This event will highlight the existence of the ICF Core Set for Deafblindness and its potential impact on future implementation of the codes in all areas related to this disability. It aims to bring together key stakeholders to promote the uptake and application of the newly developed Core Sets.
Additional information
Salou is a coastal town in Catalonia known as a popular tourist destination on the Costa Daurada. Key attractions include:
- Levante Beach: known for its golden sand and clear water, with a palm-lined promenade.
- Poniente Beach: located west of Salou, offering a calmer and more relaxed atmosphere. Both beaches are ideal for relaxation and offer great views.
- PortAventura World: a major theme park and leisure complex in Salou, divided into six themed areas: Mediterrania, Polynesia, China, Mexico, Far West, and Sesame Street Adventure (designed for children).
- Torre Vella: a 16th-century medieval surveillance tower in the city center, offering panoramic views of the surroundings and the sea. It was built to protect against pirate attacks.
- Promenade: offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by various stores.
- Luminous Fountain: an emblematic water and light show located on Paseo Jaume I, illuminated at night with colorful water jets and light effects.
Transportation options from Barcelona Airport to Hotel Cala Font in Salou, including bus, train, and driving directions. Visa requirements for third-state nationals staying up to 90 days were also outlined, including passport validity, proof of purpose, and sufficient financial means.