New Erasmus+ KA210 project: Keep it short and simple: Introduction to assistive technology for the visually impaired persons
The project KISS: Intro 2 AT 4 VIPs, reference number 2023-1-HR01-KA210-ADU-000160133 is created with the purpose of accomplishing long-term benefits for the participating organizations and the persons who are directly and/or indirectly involved in the planned activities. In order to contribute to the strengthening of the capacities of new organizations which are participating in the program Erasmus+, we have carefully created realistic activities which all partners can independently implement with the support of more experienced colleagues from the consortium. Guided by the principals of inclusion and non-discrimination of people with disabilities in the labour market, we have planned on creating digital tools, during project activities, accessible for people with visual impairment, i.e., the blind and visually impaired people who are part of the most vulnerable group of people with disabilities.
Specific objectives which we want to accomplish with this project:
1. Establish international collaboration between intersectoral organizations who work with people with disabilities by strengthening capacities of the organizations for implementing the Erasmus+ projects and making virtual tools for visually impaired people.
2. Improve the knowledge and skills of visually impaired people for accessing the labour market by creating online handbooks accessible for the blind and visually impaired.
3. Increase the availability of virtual tools for visually impaired people by creating OER with video instructions for the use of AT devices.
The intellectual results with which we will accomplish our objectives are:
-publishing online handbooks accessible for visually impaired people, featuring the subject of the approach to the labour market for the blind and visually impaired.
-publishing virtual platforms in 7 modules with short video lessons about the use of the devices with assistive technology.
The planned activities and results are in accordance with the chosen priorities, because they contribute to the social inclusion of people with limited possibilities (people with disabilities, economic barriers), strengthening the capacities of
educators and other faculties, encourage digitalization and the use of new technologies (assistive technology), promote equality and non-discrimination and empower people with disabilities to participate in the labour market.
The mentioned objectives are conformed with sectoral priorities of the Erasmus+ program 2021.-2027., and also the project contributes to the priorities defined in the National plan of the fight against poverty and social
exclusion for the period 2021-2027. The project is meeting the criteria in the following categories for the positive horizontal aspects: Inclusion and diversity and Digital dimension. The project partners are organizations La Brújula. Formación Inclusiva from Spain (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066406463769) & Medobčinsko društvo slepih in slabovidnih Kranj from Slovenia (https://www.facebook.com/MDSSKranj), while the coordinator is The County Association of Blind People Split from Croatia (https://www.facebook.com/udrugaslijepihsplit).
During the #Erasmusdays2023, we had a chance to present the objectives and activities to the local media in Croatia. Also, on October 11th, there was an opportunity chance to hold a first online conference call with the consortium members to discuss the next steps of the project activities. We are very much looking forward to sharing the news as we progress with the activities over the next two-years.
"This project is co-funded with the support of the European Commission under the reference number: 2023-1-HR01-KA210-ADU-000160133. The information and views set out in this document are those of the authors(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Commission. Neither the European Union institutions not any person acting on their behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained there in."
Obtaining new skills for the disabled in the EU
The article tells about the new opportunities for the disabled people, namely the visually impaired ones to gain broader accessibility to various digital tools that may help succeeding in their finding jobs, gaining new skills and making their lives easier. The article adds a positive node to the present wellbeing of the disabled; however, I personally do not believe such opportunity will come equally to all of the people of the European Union. Many countries do not offer any basic facilities for the disabled as such, for instance elevators, ramps, signs in the Braile language. Therefore, it would be naïve to believe that new accessible tools will see the light in such countries. Even if so, the work place must obtain a variety of necessary equipment and facilities to ensure the disabled feel themselves comfortable and productive.
I do hope that one day all the disabled people around us will feel themselves included in our society, will obtain the possibility to learn and practice obtained competences and thus will have the same possibilities as any other human being in this world.