MIND INCLUSION 3.0 launches pilots for the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities

Intellectual disabilities present challenges that require a holistic intervention, not only for the people affected, but also for those around them. European research projects focus on empowering these key actors, ensuring that inclusion is effective and lasting. By creating training tools, digital platforms and awareness-raising strategies, these projects promote an inclusive approach involving all sectors of society.

Thus, the European project Mind Inclusion 3.0, launched in 2022 and funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, has focused on the development of digital and training tools aimed at the integration of 3 key actors, in addition to the main beneficiaries of the project (people with intellectual disabilities): professionals in the socio-health sector, employers and carers/family members of people with intellectual disabilities. Thus, the MI3.0 project has advocated for a real and effective inclusion that can only be achieved with the involvement of all of them by identifying the training needs of both professionals who may be in contact with people with intellectual disabilities and employers to promote inclusion in public spaces such as bars, restaurants, sports centres and libraries. Thus, in order to analyse the training needs of each group, a participative methodology focused on two activities was developed:

1. Co-creation sessions: Meetings were held with health and social care professionals and business users to identify their training needs. This enabled the development of tools and training courses specifically tailored to their contexts and challenges.
2. Joint validation sessions: Following the co-creation sessions, these meetings with educators and employers focused on refining and validating the proposed training solutions, ensuring that they responded to the needs identified and reinforcing the project partners’ commitment to effective solutions.

From this, two key training tools were developed:

• Online Learning Centre (OLC): Aimed at social professionals such as social workers and educators, who will receive specialised training to become trainers of other professionals on issues of social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.
• Massive Open Online Course (MOOC): Created to train entrepreneurs in accessibility and inclusion in public places, helping them to become leaders and promoters of more inclusive spaces for people with disabilities.

The project partners (Polibienestar, Cooperativa Margherita, Intras Foundation, Confartigianato Vicenza, Social IT, Pro Act Suport) worked on the development of training content and the design of accessible and interactive platforms. These digital tools aim to ensure that both social professionals and entrepreneurs receive adequate training, thus enabling real and lasting inclusion.

Subsequently, an intensive four-day training of trainers programme was held in Romania. This international training aimed to train social professionals and experts to become future mentors for other social professionals and entrepreneurs during the implementation of the pilot actions. The project activities are now focusing on the pilots, ensuring that the tools created are used effectively, which will allow for a thorough evaluation of their impact and results on the different target groups. In addition, they intend to establish a sustainability strategy to ensure the use and continuous improvement of these tools in the long term.

The Mind Inclusion 3.0 project is moving towards the consolidation of a comprehensive and sustainable inclusion model that, through digital tools and international cooperation, has the potential to transform the way people with intellectual disabilities are integrated into society, ensuring that both professionals and employers become key actors responsible for achieving real and effective inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. For more information on the project, please visit our website: https://www.mindinclusion.eu/

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