<< Objectives >>Improving general accessibility of persons with disabilities (PWDs) is a core priority at EU level. The LMI4Dis_ABLED project will focus on facilitating access to quality labour market information (LMI) for new emerging career options, through highly skilled VET and career inclusion professionals and adequate LMI tools. Tailored and inclusive LMI services for PWDs will improve their labour market accessibility, career aspirations and opportunities, economic prosperity and autonomous living.<< Implementation >>The LMI4Dis_Abled project seeks to equip training, social & labour market inclusion professionals with adequate competencies and tools to provide quality career navigation services to PWDs through the development of: a. Updated LMI material for PWDs. b. Competence Profile Handbook on LMI provision for PWDs & Training Program for professionals serving PWDs c. Digital Careers Information System for PWDs, as a tool for professionals working with enabling PWDs active involvement and employability.<< Results >>The LMI4Dis_Abled project is expected to deliver concrete LMI material and tools, enhancing the competencies and capabilities of VET & disability support professionals involved in helping PWD for career planning, job rehabilitation and participation in VET opportunities, workplaces and communities. Long-term outcomes will contribute to eliminating barriers that exclude PWDs from social participation, to increasing their employability as well as the inclusiveness of VET, labour market & society.

<< Background >>The VOLT (Video Online Learning and Training) project responds to an ongoing need for inclusive and accessible digital learning opportunities; a need that became all the more apparent during the periods of COVID-19 lockdown. The project aims at creating training resources for staff and learners in VET services for people with disabilities. VET service need to equip their staff with the knowledge and digital skills needed to quickly adapt to online training and to use digital learning environments. In order to digitally transform their services, they need tools that cater for the abilities of people with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities. In this way, they can continue providing inclusive programs to learners without excluding them from the plethora of online tools that usually require an adequate level of digital and literacy skills. The familiar but powerful learning medium of videos will be utilised to create a learning platform easily accessible by all. The innovation of this project is utilising the simplicity of video learning and implementing this familiar and motivating teaching tool in distance learning in a digital environment with all the necessary accessibiliity features.<< Objectives >>The objectives of the VOLT project are to:• Develop basic digital skills and competences in VET staff providing services to people with disabilities so that they can implement online, blended and distance teaching and training.• Equip VET staff in disability services with knowledge and skills based on the Universal Design for Learning and the Video Modeling methodology. Training staff and creating user-friendly tools will be motivating and will facilitate the provision of inclusive learning opportunities for learners with challenges accessing text-based materials. • Provide VET staff with knowledge, tools and training resources to train learners with disabilities in basic digital skills so that they can continue to engage in the education and training process when distance learning is required.• Train learners to acquire basic digital skills, using easily accessible and inclusive tools and tachnologies, so that participation in online, blended and distance teaching and training is possible.• Engage learners in the use of digital tools by producing video content for the VOLT Online Learning and Training platform. The co-production of videos will motivate the learners to actively engaging in digital training processes. • Create the open license with no-fee access VOLT Online Learning and Training platform, which will include videos modelling curricular, personal and work-related topics.• Improve the digital education and training readiness of VET services.<< Implementation >>A needs analysis will be comprised of defining the baseline of VET staff and learners’ digital skills and video skills. The European Digital Competence Framework will be used as a reference and a task-oriented questionnaire on video skills will be created. The needs analysis will also include the identification of good practices and existing digital tools.Based on the results of the needs analysis, the partners will create the following resources:1. Guide for VET staff: Teaching and Training through Videos in distance learning.2. Toolkit for vocational trainees: Learning through Videos.3. VOLT Online Learning and Training platform.These resources will be used in the training activities that will involve training 14 staff members as VOLT Ambassadors who will then train 15 VOLT Pioneers per partner organisation. The VOLT Pioneers will support the implementation of the project results and train the learners using the Toolkit to improve digital skills and access to the VOLT Platform. The training and support materials will be available online in 4 languages (English, German, Greek, Spanish). At least 40 videos will be created during the implementation period of the project. The VET staff trained as VOLT Pioneers will produce the videos to be uploaded to the VOLT Platform, ensuring that all the functions and accessibility features are available. The videos will be in easy-to-understand language, with closed captioning and have the ability to embed a pop-up with sign language. Co-production and video modelling techniques will be used to further engage the learners. They will participate in creating videos for the VOLT Platform based on their preferences. Evaluation activities will be an ongoing process throughout the project and information from feedback from all participants will be incorporated into the final versions of all project results. The launch of the VOLT Platform will be an online EU level dissemination event that will provide useful feedback and suggestions for improvement to be incorporated into the platform. The National and European dissemination activities will ensure that the project outputs and results reach a wide relevant audience.<< Results >>The VOLT project intends to promote the digital transformation of VET services by developing digital skills in staff and learners. Staff will improve their capacity to create inclusive and accessible digital learning opportunities for learners who cannot access text-based online tools. Overall, digital skills and competences will be improved, for both staff and trainers, enabling them to use other digital technologies, products and services beyond the scope of the project.The Needs Analysis results will highlight the barriers and needs of staff and learners in using digital technologies.The “Guide for VET staff: Teaching and Training through Videos in distance learning” will provide VET services with quality training materials for staff, where the content and approach responds to staff’s needs and expectations.14 staff members will be trained as VOLT Ambassadors. They will train 15 VOLT Pioneers per partner organisation, amounting to 60 VOLT Pioneers across all partners. The total number of learners participating in the implementation of the project results is 300 learners.Staff will gain knowledge and skills and be equipped with a practical guide to use in implementing online and distance teaching and training in order to cater for the needs of all services users and especially those from the most disadvantaged groups.The “Toolkit for vocational trainees: Learning through Videos” will assist learners to develop digital skills. The familiar medium of videos will motivate them to engage in learning and provide a means to practice and reinforce knowledge and skills in their own time.The project expects to create an accessible online learning and training platform where trainers can upload content covering a wide range of topics presented in video format. The videos created during the project will be the beginning for this online tool, as it is expected to be maintained in the future with the addition of more videos after the end of the project.The project aims at making a long-term impact on the participating organisations by increasing their digital capacity and readiness. They will have the Guide for VET staff and the Toolkit for Learners to use to train digital skills in the future with new staff and learners.Through the dissemination activities and the open access nature of the VOLT platform, the project aims at reaching a wide audience and making an impact on other VET organisations providing services to people with various disabilities. The project results will have high transferability potential to staff and learners from other organisation and VET services. It is hoped that the platform will have wide-reaching applicability, use and future contributions from learners and staff outside the partnership.

"As persons with intellectual disability (APWID) reach age 50, many show the kind of functional ages that would not be expected until age 70-75 due to their double vulnerability: early ageing and intellectual disability. Nonetheless, APWID are not protected by adequate policies; not supported by professionals with specific skills; often not appropriately skilled; victims of stereotypes and negative approach of society.For this reason, this project will focus on one MAIN OBJECTIVE:ENHANCED COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION of AGEING PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.Objectives:1.Supported rights of APWID2.ENHANCED COMPETENCES of SERVICE PROVIDERS’ STAFF to SUPPORT APWID3.REDUCED BARRIERS for APWID SOCIAL INCLUSION4.ENHANCED INCLUSIVE APPROACH OF COMMUNITY TOWARDS APWIDActivities and results:1.Research, Analysis and Policy Recommendations development on supporting the social inclusion of APWID 2.Training modules development for service providers’ staff3.Training modules development for APWID4.Raise awareness of the online and local communities on APWID social inclusionTARGET GROUPSProject Beneficiaries:-Educators, Psychologists, Social workers, Teachers, etc. supporting APWID in service provision (120 involved in the needs collection, 40 will be trained)-Community and relevant stakeholders in the community: local administrations, volunteers associations, youth organizations, sport associations, faith-based institutions, community-care services, citizens in general. (75 in local exchange events)Final target group:Ageing people with Intellectual disabilities (120 involved in the needs collection, 50 will be trained)Products:1 Study ""Ageing People with Intellectual disabilities. A pathway to their social inclusion""3 E-learning modules for staff: “Ageing People with Intellectual disabilities: A pathway to social inclusion""2 E-learning modules for APWID: “A pathway to social inclusion""1 Awareness-raising campaign"

The project is based on the NLQAVET model of Quality in VET which emphases the interdependency of quality system, quality culture, quality awareness and quality behaviour as fundament for sustainable implementation of improvements actions.The key factors for quality in VET can been seen from 2 different perspectives: The visible factors which include the quality system and the quality behaviour of staff, and the non-visible factors: the quality awareness of staff and the quality culture of the VET provider. The project will emphasis these non-visible factors for the development of high quality work through systematic comparing, exchanging and learning from day-to-day practices between Specialised VET providers and Regular VET providers in national and International settings.The EU policy on VET is encouraging INCLUSIVE Education and Training for All. The policy is encouraging partnerships and close cooperation between special VET providers and regular VET providers that creates the basis for a more inclusive approach on education and training.The project is based on using capacities of specialized and mainstream VET providers in creating valuable learning arrangements that results in improving current the performances and to explore opportunities for inclusive education for all. The area of quality therefore is introduced a common areas for better understanding of their practices and way of working. The project therefore has the following objectives:1. Improving the overall quality performance and quality culture (performance of Quality culture assessment tool) of special and regular VET providers by systematic benchmarking and bench learning.2. Contributing to inclusive education by creating sustainable partnerships between specialized VET providers and regular VET providers for the benefits of all learners.Prior to the project, a comprehensive needs assessment of quality culture aspects and Eqavet aspects will be carried out by all partners. The needs assessment will carried out with a questionnaire on Quality Culture aspect (Quality Culture survey) and a questionnaire that collect information of needs of the project partner on the building blocks of the Eqavet model: management culture, approaches that reflect provider circumstances, culture of self-assessment, support to training of staff and using feedback and data for improvement. Based on the needs assessment, all partners will identify and carry out two improvement initiatives: one initiative to improve quality Culture and one initiative to improve performance on EQAVET building blocks.In 8 transnational project meetings (= learning arrangements) of three days each will be organized. The topics for these learning arrangements will be derived from the needs assessment that is carried out prior to the project and linked to the improvement initiatives of the project partners. At these learning arrangements three main activities will be carried out:1. Systematic bench marking on agreed quality culture aspects and on aspect of the Eqavet model2. Bench learning activities: exchange of information, performance, interventions and daily practices with the aim of improving current performance and current practice3. Additional training by experts on quality cultural aspects and on identified aspects of the Eqavet building blocks.Expected results:1. Successful implementation of an improvement initiative related to one aspect of Quality Culture. (total 10 improvement initiatives)2. Successful implementation of an improvement initiative related to one of the EQAVET building blocks (total 10 improvement initiatives)3. Methodology on systematic benchmarking and bench learning.4. Curriculum of specific training modules related to Quality Culture Aspects and Eqavet building blocks.5. Signed agreement for sustainable partnership (continuation of cooperation) at national and/or national level to explore the feasibility and conditions for Inclusive education for all.

Context and background:Statistics show that Young Adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders face greater difficulties than their peers in the transition to employment. Not only do they have more difficulty finding a job but, more generally, this phase represents a moment of particular risk for them, characterized by increased isolation, heightened symptoms (especially for mental health issues), depression, higher suicidal risk, etc.At the same time this transition is a particularly difficult phase to support for Transition Coaches who often do not have the necessary skills. For Companies, hardly opening the door to the inclusion of YAASD. For families and the community in general, facing a complex change in their role and task that they often fail to manage.TransitAction Objectives:To support YAASD in their transition to Employment, the project aims to achieve the following results:1.Transition Coaches have more effective skills and tools to support YAASD in their transition;2.YAASD have more tools to deal with the transition and are actively involved in this process;3.Companies are more open to employ YAASD and the co-workers are more prepared to integrate them.4.Families, volunteers’ associations and the community in general are better prepared for the transition and capable of managing in a positive manner the changes for their role.Activities:•A research on good practices supporting the transition of young adults to employment is implemented;•A needs analysis on Transition Coaches needs is implemented;•A research on existing digital tools supporting the same transition is implemented;•An Online Platform (I.O.1) collecting the content of the previous two activities is developed.•A training course for Transition Coaches is designed and developed adapting the content of the Online Platform;•A training course is delivered to 17 people (12 Transition Coaches and 4 Peers and one evaluation responsible) through mutual learning;•A feedback analysis on trainings is released;•4 pilots (5 months each) are implemented at national level to test the effectiveness of the training content;•A 2nd Training course, complementary to the first one is delivered considering the feedback from the first 4 pilots;•Further 4 pilots are implemented;•A feedback analysis on the pilots is released;•E-learning modules for Transition Coaches supporting Young Adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in their transition to employment is delivered, made available in 5 languages (Dutch, English, Greek, Italian, Slovenian) and uploaded on the Online Platform.Number and profile of participants:TransitAction plans to train 12 Transition Coaches and 4 Peers during the trainings; subsequently, during the field tests, the project expects to involve at least another 18 Transition Coaches and to test the training contents with at least 20 YAASD for each service provider and the school. In total, the project therefore plans to involve at least 24 people, between Transition Coaches and Peers, and at least 80 YAASD.With the aim to support co-production, training participants will also be indirectly involved in other project activitiesMethodology:In the awareness of the complexity of the transition of YAASD to employment, TransitAction has a 360-degree approach. The researches implemented will allow us to gather the best existing practices and tools effecting the context. The field of research will not be limited only to YAASD but to all stakeholders involved in the transition, in compliance with the complexity mentioned above. Specific focus will be given to the search for digital tools as they are now considered more necessary and effective than ever.On this basis, a group of Transition Coaches will be intensively trained. Furthermore 4 pilots will be implemented twice (5+5 months) to allow real and incisive feedback on the final formulation of the training modules. Research, training, testing and feedback will therefore be interrelated and enclosed in a virtuous circle.To ensure that the input of the YAASDs themselves is sufficiently taken into account, Peers are involved throughout the whole project.Results, impacts and long term benefit:The Online Platform, through its translation software, will available in multiple languages. The Training Modules will be available on the Platform in 5 languages (English, Dutch, Greek, Italian, Slovenian). Dissemination events of the project results will be held in Greece, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Slovenia, Ireland. This way, both I.O. will be known at European level and could be used internationally, leading to a real improvement in the support to YAASD transition. In the long term, the project will generate, among other things:•Enhanced YAASD labor inclusion;•Stronger financial independence of YAASD;•Enhanced social role and inclusion YAASD in the community;•Decreased economic / social cost of YAASD support;•Better quality of life of YAASD and families.