Have you ever considered the obstacles that mothers with disabilities face in accessing healthcare? And how can we contribute to ensuring they receive fair and inclusive treatment throughout all stages of motherhood?
ASSIST brought together ten international partners to work on the objective of tackling discrimination in the healthcare sector against mothers living with disability in all phases of motherhood throughout the European Union.
During the mapping of local stakeholders, CESIE ETS joined the event “Cuori di tutti: emozioni senza barriere” (“The Hearts of All: Emotions Without Barriers”), whichtook place in the Sala del Carroccio at the Campidolgio in Rome on 2nd December 2024. Promoted by the Capitoline councilor Flavia De Gregorio in collaboration with self-organised group, DisabilmenteMamme (mothers with disabilities), the event was a space to speak about motherhood and disability, to understand the needs of women at this important and overseen intersection, and to discuss how Italian law must change to address the needs of the women and their families.
The event was also an opportunity for ASSIST and the DisabilmenteMamme Association to meet.
But who are these mothers? Their story began in 2019 when a group of mothers with disabilities created a WhatsApp group to stay connected and share their experiences of motherhood while living with different types of disabilities. They wanted a space where they could understand their rights under Italian law and support each other. Over time, this group grew into one of Italy’s leading activist movements: DisabilmenteMamme. These mothers-turned-activists are committed to raising awareness, improving visibility, and driving concrete political change.
Over the years, they have visited schools across Italy, sharing their life experiences with disabilities with children. This work has helped normalize disability, answer children’s questions, and dismantle deep-seated prejudices. The group also co-authored and published a book titled Tienimi per Mano: L’unione fa la Forza (“Take My Hand: Unity creates Strength”), in which they share their experiences of motherhood and disability. Their stories have been featured in numerous national interviews, increasing visibility for this important issue. In 2025, DisabilmenteMamme is taking on the Italian legal system to ensure fairness and support for mothers with disabilities.
The event in Rome was both inspiring and eye-opening: the activists spoke openly about the challenges they face as mothers and their determination to drive change. The evening revealed shocking realities: for example, in Italy, a mother with a disability is legally prohibited from taking her child on a day’s outing or a holiday without the supervision of a so-called “able-bodied” person. Furthermore, it emerged that doctors often fail to understand the specific needs of women with disabilities, denying them sexual and reproductive autonomy and sometimes even discouraging their decisions to become mothers. In response, DisabilmenteMamme has initiated a unique collaboration with a specialized doctor who understands their needs and has experience supporting women with disabilities.
We witnessed an event created by a historically neglected and forgotten community. The stories shared during the evening stand as a testament to the hard work of these activists and the fact that those who drive social, legal, and medical change are often the ones who need it most. The ASSIST project was created to amplify the voices of women with disabilities and to promote tangible change in both healthcare and society.
To learn more about ASSIST and learn about all the news contact Ritti Soncco: ritti.soncco@cesie.org.
About the project
ASSIST – heAlthcare incluSion of motherS wIth diSabiliTy is a project funded by ERASMUS+, European Commission.
Partners
- Make Mothers Matter EU Delegation (Belgium, coordinator)
- Ethniko Kai Kapodistriako Panepistimio Athinon (Greece)
- Università degli Studi di Torino (Italy)
- Università degli Studi di Salerno (Italy)
- Ethniki Synomospondia Atomon Me Anapiria Esam (Greece)
- Research Innovation and Development Lab (Greece)
- Symplexis (Greece)
- ReadLab Brussels (Belgium)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- Redial Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee (Ireland)
For further information
Read more about the project.
Contact Ritti Soncco: ritti.soncco@cesie.org.
