The project aims to make a contribution by improving the labor chances of people with autism, and to develop friendly settings for training from a continuum of different types of supported employment.

The project will, through joint actions, develop a practical model of vocational training for people with autism spectrum disorders. The project beneficiaries will be adults with autism and adult educational staff. Adults with autism are at risk of social exclusion due to deficits in social and communication skills. European labor markets provide appropriate job opportunities, but without adequate preparation, people with autism are not able to work independently. Currently, it is clear that there is a need to support such people in the development of key social and professional competence.

The methods and tools will be available in four languages (EN, PL, CZ, LT, EL)

The project output:

a) method of training of vocational competencies in autistic adult people

b) the multimedia training program for developing vocational competencies in autistic adults  (PL, LT, EL, CZ, EN) 

c) the guide for assistants of autistic persons (PL, LT, EL, CZ, EN); 

d) the organization of in-service training course for adult educational staff (assistants and volunteers) who work with autistic people within the vocational training program

e) the project leaflet (PL, LT, EL, CZ, EN) 

f) the project website

g) report of the project evaluation research 

h) articles in Impuls Krakowski the journal of KTA and other scientific journals 

All partners have experience in international projects as well as the therapy and education of people with exceptional needs. They have developed the project in the preparatory discussion via internet They have both common and specific tasks due to their experiences.

 

 

The project aims are substantially linked to the European priority - raising vocational competence of disabled people.

The project is targeted at autistic adults who belong to an underprivileged group because autism impairs communication skills, social interactions and cognitive functions and has strong impact on independent life when the level of social demands increases. These impairments limit social inclusion, equal and non-discriminate participation in the educational process, labour market, etc. Therefore, autistic people are often left behind by the society which does not give them the opportunity to actively participate in everyday social life. It is necessary to search for solutions enabling them to develop practical skills and to lead an independent life within the society.

The project concerns initial vocational training for autistic adults based on alternating learning or work-related training in enterprises. These will enable the target group to find work.  

The general aim of the partnership – through the foreseen activities of the project partners - is to create a practical method for vocational training of autistic people who are able to work in some specific positions. The vocational training program (DVD and guide in PL, LT, EL, CZ, EN) will comprise exercises on: 

• Basic knowledge essential to technical specifications of a job 

• Practical skills and competence related to dealing with professional duties

The main aim will be obtained through:

• Mobilities  - related to coordinate the plan work  and interests of each partner 

• Evaluation of positive experience of each institution and its country successful methods of vocational training for youth and young adults with autism

• Analysis of special vocational needs and competencies of autistic people in the context of technical specifications of a job

• Creation of a teaching method (DVD in PL, LT, EL, CZ, EN)of vocational training preparing for lower position cook and clerical work, domestic help, gardening, etc,

• Practical training of vocational competencies provided for autistic people in partner institutions abroad 

• Practical training for vocational trainers and volunteers

• creating a project website to ensure active and effective participation of all partners in joint partnership activities as well as interactive communication

• Dissemination of project outcomes in each partner country

• International conferences

 

The project aiming to create teaching method of vocational training for persons having special education needs correspond to the following priorities of common EU policy of vocational counseling: EU investments to human resources, improvement of qualification and competence of the employed, increase of social integration. The project will be aimed to activate collaboration in the EU in the following areas: creation of equal opportunities to enter the labour market, especially for those who are socially segregated (Decision No. 1098/2008/EB of the European Parliament and of the Council on European fight with poverty and social segregation (2010); vocational training, education, counseling, consulting as the implementation of life long learning policy; support of qualified, educated and adaptable labour force to increase ability and human potential in scientific research, in the area of science and technologies; development of active policy of labour market and encouragement to fight the unemployment by preventing it. The project partners collectively create a new practical approach to vocational training people with autism, developing training materials and guides for assistants such persons. Developed strategy could be used both in the partner organizations, as well as other organizations responsible for therapy and support for people with autism.

Each partner has been chosen for their particular area of expertise, so that in bringing together these countries we will build our joint capacity to support the acquisition of knowledge and skills for our target group, the synergy created being able to achieve greater than the sum of the parts would develop.

• Improving the quantity and quality of research training, by offering the best available opportunities regardless of where this expertise is situated. 

• The complexity of the project task, both in terms of information society technologies and expertise in working with the target group, requires the participation of the international consortium including universities as NGOs. This provides an integrated approach bringing together different types of communities and establishing solid frameworks for collaboration between them. 

• Enhancing the transfer of knowledge and technology between the different actors of the European research and innovation system.

• Furthering the distribution of research excellence in the different regions of Europe.

•Making the work more efficient by pooling together all results.