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Food, Drink, the IDDSI Declaration and Magical Music: The 1st IDDSI European Congress in Florence Italy.
The 1st IDDSI EU Congress truly highlighted the importance of IDDSI from interdisciplinary perspectives. Insights from chefs, food physicists, caregivers, and nursing home providers in Italy emphasized the power of IDDSI in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with swallowing difficulties. We were treated to a series of powerful keynotes from renowned professionals in the field, including Simon Sollereder, Dr. Caterina Perra, Dr. Catriona Steele, Dr Julie Cichero, Dr Carlo Pedrolli, and Dr. Andrea Bandini.
The day culminated in a historic moment, with major European organizations signing a declaration to officially endorse IDDSI across all levels of care. This marks a significant step forward in our shared commitment to improving care for individuals with swallowing challenges. We extend an invitation to other European organizations interested in signing the declaration to support the use of IDDSI across care levels, to please contact IDDSI Global at office@iddsi.org for further information.
A further incredible highlight was the enchanting evening of beautiful music and song in Florence. Giovanni Varoli composed the music and lyrics for the IDDSI Anthem which was presented for the first time at the EU event. It was a magical evening. The IDDSI Board and EU participants were then treated to a second wonderful concert with the orchestra conducted by Giovanni Varoli.
The success of the 1st IDDSI EU Congress would not have been possible without the hard work and support of many individuals. IDDSI is grateful to the congress organizing committee of Simon Sollereder EU IRG, Dr. Carlo Pedrolli IDDSI Board member EU IRG, Amanda Demane, US IRG, Irene Battel ITA IRG, Andrea Bandini ITA IRG Josefa Kachal IDDSI Board Member, Peter Lam, IDDSI CEO & Chairperson . We are also grateful for the support of our sponsors and exhibitors!
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Piloting the IDDSI Academy:
The inaugural IDDSI Academy was held on 27 February 2025 in the Auditorium at the Duomo, in Florence, Italy. Held just before the EU IDDSI Congress, the pilot course was fully subscribed with attendees from around the world! True to IDDSI’s multi-disciplinary appeal, participants were chefs, speech-language pathologists, dietitians and researchers.
Participants thoroughly enjoyed the combination of practical learning experiences combined with theory and reminder that IDDSI is applicable across the age spectrum. Many thanks to Teaching Faculty for the Florence Pilot: Dr Ben Hanson (Mechanical Engineer), Ms Jan Duivestein (Dual trained OT and PT), Mr Preston Walker (Award winning Chef), Mr James Ball (Self-taught Chef), and Dr Julie Cichero (SLP) who brought the worlds of food science, oral physiology across the age spectrum, application of IDDSI to foods and liquids, and IDDSI tests together into a packed one day program.
Participants were excited to have the ability to work in groups and to access a range of different experts during the practical sessions. Group work and problem solving was also a highlight of the day. Some logistics challenges were anticipated and experienced, and these have provided great learnings to IDDSI for adjustments prior to the next IDDSI Academy Pilot in September 2025 in the UK. Participants and Faculty alike enjoyed the focus on inter-disciplinary care, person-centred care and teamwork. We are grateful to the participants for their enthusiasm and feedback on the pilot. Stay tuned for more information!
| | IDDSI Academy Team: L to R: Ben Hanson, Preston Walker, Julie Cichero, James Ball and Janice Duivestein | | Giovanni Varoli is thanked by Peter Lam for the beautiful IDDSI Anthem | | James Ball and Preston Walker presenting at the Florence Academy Pilot | | IDDSI Board of Directors updates: | | The IDDSI Board of Directors is thrilled to announce that Dr. Luis F. Riquelme is the new co-chair of the IDDSI Board of Directors. Congratulations to Dr. Riquelme who will be working together with Peter Lam to lead the IDDSI Global Board. | | |
Canada: Canada was well represented at the EU Congress and Academy Pilot! Read the March Can-Do newsletter for all the details on the CIRG webpage
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United States: USIRG members at the EU Congress and Academy Pilot! See the pictures and read all the newsletter details here on the USIRG webpage
| | IDDSI Reference Group Volunteering | |
If you are interested in joining an IDDSI Reference Group, please email the contact for the group. We welcome everyone who wants to help with guiding & fostering IDDSI implementation. Being part of a reference group is a great opportunity to meet IDDSI friends in your local, regional area. And you never know, something amazing may happen when great brains come together!
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Don't see an IDDSI Reference Group for your practise or regional area? Interested in starting an IDDSI reference group to help support IDDSI implementation in your regional or practice area? Fill out the form here.
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Webinars and IDDSI Learning
Pre-Symposium Webinar: NUTS & BOLTS OF IMPLEMENTATION
Date: Tuesday, May 6th, 2025
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST
This is a 1-Hour interactive session designed for those beginning the process of integrating IDDSI into their setting and preparing for the 2025 US IDDSI Symposium.
To register and for more information please go to: this link
| | If you have any suggestions for webinar topics, we’d love to hear them! Head over to our Contact Us form, choose subject “Webinars”, and let us know what you’d like to see in the upcoming months. | | Previous Webinars and Recordings | |
Missed any of our other webinars? All our webinars are recorded and can be found on here, but please note rewatching the webinars on YouTube will not provide you with a Certificate of Attendance.
If you register and then cannot attend a webinar, PLEASE make sure to cancel so we may open another spot up for someone else. Thank you very much for your consideration.
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Early Bird registration is open for the
US IDDSI Symposium in beautiful Newport Beach, CA!
Friday, July 25th, 2025
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SAVE THE DATE:
UK IDDSI Academy Pilot
September 16th, 2025
St. Michael’s Centre, Bristol, UK
Details will be available on the IDDSI website very soon!
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SAVE THE DATE:
Australia IDDSI Expo and Academy Pilot
October 20th and 21st, 2025
Victoria Park, Brisbane, Australia
Details will be available on the IDDSI website very soon!
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Sponsors
We are excited to announce that IDDSI Platinum Sponsor Hormel Health Foods are teaming up with foodservice leader Lyons Magnus.
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Hormel Health Labs has joined forces with foodservice leader Lyons Magnus, whom you may already be familiar with as the makers of the Lyons ReadyCare® brand products.
With the added capabilities of Lyons Magnus, we’ll be able to explore new and innovative products, partnerships and resources. We’re excited about what our combined team can offer our customers and partners. While the name is changing, our steadfast commitment to customers remains the same—we’ll continue to provide the exceptional service you know and love.
For more information please feel free to reach out via our website.
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Upcoming Events:
- FOP - Food Oral Processing Conference, Valencia, SP, May 12-14, 2025
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The 33rd World Congress of the IALP is coming to Malta August 24-28, 2025 - Innovation and inspiration in Communication Sciences and Disorders Congress Topics and Registration Information
- IDDSI Hands on seminar & pre-congress seminar for Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation, Yokohama, Japan, Sep 18, 2025
- The 31st annual meeting of JSDR, Yokohama, Japan, Sep 19-20, 2025
- ESSD - European Society for Swallowing Disorders Conference, Athens, GR, Nov 7-11, 2025
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If you are aware of other events where IDDSI will be featured, please share the information with us by sending the details to: office@iddsi.org
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Take a look to see where different regions are in respect to supporting IDDSI Implementation.
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