In Touch - TOGETHER WE LEARN: DIDACTIC MANUAL FOR INCLUSIVE NON FORMAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PERSONS WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES

Aims of the tool

“In Touch” is an Erasmus+ funded project which aims at bringing innovation in the field of inclusion of youngsters with mobility and sensorial disabilities using non formal education approach.

Despite the major progress that has been made in the past decades in the field of acknowledgement of the rights of persons with disabilities, the situation is still in need of more drastic improvements, especially when it comes to the much-needed change of perspective of disability in itself.

Persons with disabilities, especially youngsters, are often excluded from the most basic services and commodities, and the situation gets even more challenging when dealing with more advanced
services, such as tourism, hobbies and leisure.

The world of non-formal education has made efforts over the years, to fill the gap between the needs of youngsters with disabilities and the services they need, but often the criticalities and obstacles that are often encountered in their efforts resulted in stagnation of the practices employed and therefore in low engagement rates when compared with their peers without disabilities.
For these reasons, the major outcome that is expected from the development of this project is the improvement of the quality of the activities that are currently being carried out by civil society organizations that are committed to working with
youngsters with disabilities.
There are two main project outputs:
-The development of two researches that collected some of the best practices already developed across the consortium’s national realities and all over Europe,
which results are condensed in the present didactic manual;
-The creation of an accessible mobile APP that will serve as a common hub for persons with disabilities to find and map accessible/free-barrier services,
activities and opportunities in their own countries.

The consortium, formed by 3 EU countries (Italy, Cyprus and Malta), and 3 Western Balkans countries (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro) involving NGOs and associations with widely different backgrounds and expertise such as working in
advocacy on human rights for people with disability, direct work in grass root level, in vocational education, the development of non-formal education activities with young people with and without disability, and the development of analogue and digital tools in youth field.

Description of the tool

In today's diverse societies, the need for inclusive education extends beyond traditional formal education to address the unique needs of all individuals, including those with disabilities.

"The Didactic Manual for Inclusive Non-Formal Educational Activities for Young Persons with and without Disabilities" serves as an essential resource in youth work, contributing to fostering inclusion and solidarity.

It provides youth workers and interested practitioners with a comprehensive guide to raise awareness among youth, to advocate for the most challenging issues in relation to disability and to create environments that are welcoming and accessible to all.

This manual is a valuable tool in the field of youth work, emphasizing the importance of disability rights and inclusion through non-formal education. Its primary aim is to enhance the competencies of youth workers and practitioners, equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively incorporate inclusive practices into their activities.

Youth workers and practitioners can utilize this manual as a resilient framework for understanding and advocating for disability rights within the context of non-formal education. By incorporating the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and other critical frameworks, the manual not only educates but also empowers practitioners to champion inclusion in their practices.

The value of this manual lies in its ability to foster empathy, understanding, and a sense of responsibility among youth, encouraging them to advocate for inclusivity and equality. Central to this manual are non-formal learning methods that offer interactive activities requiring reflection and discussion.

Each exercise is designed not just to educate, but also to inspire critical thinking and self-reflection about
diverse experiences, particularly regarding disabilities. These activities range from role-playing to interactive exercises, each crafted to simulate the experiences of
persons with and without disabilities, thereby raising awareness and deepening participants' understanding. The activities are designed to challenge participants' opinions, break stereotypes and prejudices, and promote a culture of respect and
empathy.

By engaging in these activities, youth workers and practitioners can effectively educate young people about the significance of inclusivity and the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in everyday life. The manual advocates for a continuous learning and improvement approach toward the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

The manual encourages practitioners to remain learners themselves, constantly seeking new
knowledge and strategies to foster an attitude of lifelong learning among the youth they work with every day.