Count Me In Too! Takes its starting point in the belief that no citizen in Europe should be discriminated against in training or employment because of disability. In times of economic difficulties there is more than ever, a need for finding new ways to make better use of the diverse resources of organisations and people. This includes people who are more specially disadvantaged because of certain social or individual learning disabilities. Since the arts and cultural sector became an independent topic with the signing of Maastricht Treaty in 1993 the sector has grown significantly in its influence and extent. In a European context it has developed from being an area that was difficult to place anywhere to a strong and independent member of the employment family; a member that today is listened to and given authority. This CMI2 aims to build upon a methodology for the inclusion of people who are more specifically disadvantaged because of certain physical, social and individual learning disabilities. The present-day labour market in Europe calls for constant updating of knowledge and professional skills and the European Union states that lifelong learning is essential for everyone. It has therefore been of great relevance to study and discuss the efforts made in improving the vocational education and training for people with special needs, such as people with autism, ADHD, Asperger's syndrome and learning disabilities. Based on the needs analysis and experiences of previous projects Count Me In http://count-me-in.eu/ and studies completed since its completion the partners in COUNT ME IN TOO ! wants to develop these practices and open up to a new understanding of educating these particular groups with the aim of finding for them a place in the world of work. It is relevant to transfer these methodologies to all EU countries. The project will complement and improve upon the existing eLearning and training courses by developing an ultra-simple app creation tool that will enable managers, supervisors, mentors and job coaches to create simple ‘task based apps’ that will empower workers and trainees with learning disabilities to work more independently. There will be an instructional video and handbook for the tool. In addition we will create an app for each partner that will support those with learning disabilities to work their way through a task, which will include: Ready to go to work - hygiene, dressing smartly Basic Spelling Basic Maths Handicrafts - Making a puppet, candlestick or birdhouse Social Competences, how to greet and talk to workmates in different situations Customer service how to care for customers/visitors The apps will be tested and used by each partner organisation and feedback will be obtained to support the creation of some tips and guidelines on ways to integrate the app into the workplace. The project will also build upon the training material by offering versions in the partner countries of Poland, Austria, Sweden UK., Denmark and Hungary. By combining the new designed training app creation tool with the established VETPRO training courses and eLearning material we will increase the impact, usability and accessibility of the methodology for VET for special needs through cultural institutions to many more EU countries.
The Count Me In Too! (CMI2) project originated from the partners' conviction that no European citizen should be disadvantaged in education or in the workplace because of his/her disability. The partners focused on finding new ways to improve the use of diverse resources of organisations and people. Aware that lifelong learning is perceived as highly desirable in the European Union, and the labour market in Europe values constant updating of knowledge and professional skills, the partners agreed that it is highly relevant to improve vocational education and training for people with special needs (e.g. autism, ADHD, Asperger's syndrome) and learning difficulties. CMI2 aimed to build a methodology for the inclusion of such people in the society, and more specifically - in the job market. The partnership also wanted to empower such people and increase their self-esteem. Based on the needs analysis and research conducted within the previous project (Count Me In), the CMI2 partners carried out further needs analyses, developed a methodology, tools and materials for introducing new technologies to VET of those groups, and tried to transfer the created methodologies to all EU countries by making them available in English, German, Polish, Danish, Swedish and Hungarian. The project complemented and improved upon the existing eLearning and training courses by developing an ultra-simple and intuitive App Generator meant to enable employers and educators of people with learning difficulties to create simple task-based apps for the workers and trainees with learning disabilities to work more independently. The tool was equipped with a step-by-step built-in tutorial which allows users to get acquainted with the Generator at their own pace, and makes it possible to put content into the app while the user is being guided. Additionally, a bank of 11 English apps and 8 apps in each partner language was created. The topics included getting ready for work (job interview, getting to work by bus); basic maths (making a sandwich, using a cash register); handicrafts (making a paper puppet, making a paper bag); social competences and customer service (how to greet guests or customers); everyday activities (making breakfast; using a washing machine); professional tasks (binding a book) and relaxation (muscle relaxation). The apps were thoroughly tested by VET professionals and people with disabilities and learning difficulties in each partner organisation, and feedback was obtained to support the creation of some tips and guidelines on how to integrate the apps into the workplace. By combining the App Generator with the established VETPRO training courses and eLearning material, we increased the impact, usability and accessibility of the methodology for VET for special needs through cultural institutions to many EU countries (the training material is offered in the languages of all participating countries: Poland, Austria, Sweden, UK, Denmark and Hungary). The project goals and activities completed during the first year of the project (01.09.2015 - 31.08.2016) were: the creation of all Work Plans related to Intellectual Outputs; carrying out an expanded Needs Analysis with new examples from Austria, Hungary and Poland to prove the validity of the project; the identification of stakeholders and interested parties, the creation of the Generator; the translation of Generator into all the partner languages; the creation of 8 super simple training apps and accompanying eLearning Modules; the creation of the OER platform, Impact and Sustainability Plan, Evaluation Plan, Dissemination Plan and Management Plan and the tests of the App Generator in Austria, Denmark, Hungary and Poland. The project goals and activities completed during the second year of the project (1.09.2016 – 31.08.2017) were: an improvement of the beta version of the Generator; the creation of further apps in English; the creation of further eLearning Modules; the translation of 8 relevant apps into national languages; the translation of 8 relevant partner eLearning material/modules into national languages; the supplementation of OER platform content; writing the project methodology publication; translating the publication into all the national languages; uploading the publications to the OER platform; holding seminars, workshops and courses in Denmark, Austria, Hungary and Poland; undertaking numerous effective dissemination activities; adaptation of a live training course with modules on using the app generator; internal and external evaluation; and finally, holding a successful final conference “New Technologies in Vocational and Educational Training” in Bielsko-Biala, Poland, on 08.06.2017, with the participation of all the partner organisations and two keynote speakers from outside the partnership. All the project goals, activities and outcomes outlined in the project description were accomplished in a timely manner, and all the deadlines were duly met.