Cognition & Inclusion

Project summary

The Cognition & Inclusion (C&I) project aims to contribute to the active participation and social inclusion of adults challenged by a learning disability, by 1. collecting and promoting evidence based cognitive methodologies (designed to train transversal skills) and by 2. developing and making available assessment tools to evaluate and to foster critical conditions for effective and efficient implementation of these cognitive methodologies. An inclusive society adapts the environment physically and mentally to persons with special needs, in order to create conditions for active social participation. Although this is a necessary condition, it is not a sufficient one: also, the person himself needs to (learn to) adapt to society and the ever changing environment to realise active participation and quality of life. Adaptive skills need to be acquired: this refers to a learning process, especially in the context of ones cognitive development (learning to learn, problem solving, self regulation, planning,...). Persons with a learning disability need specific support and training to acquire these skills. Only a few training models have been developed or are adapted to the needs of adults. These few methodologies are not only not well known, but also - even when known - they are not implemented or are not effective. A significant reason for this observation is related to the mindset of the professional and the organisation: learning potential, cognitive development and competence within persons with a learning disability is often not expected by the social environment, and so efforts to learn or train cognitive skills are not initiated. However, there is ample evidence that these 'cognitive' methodologies are successful... but only if implemented by professionals with the right optimistic and growth oriented mindset. The C&I focuses on this critical condition for training of transversal skills within adults with a learning disability. C&I aims to raise awareness of the importance of transversal, cognitive skills training within adults challenged by a learning disability and the impact of the mindset of the professional on the effectiveness of the cognitive methodologies in particular and social inclusion of persons with special needs in general. C&I will develop and disseminate an Overview of successful methodologies, and 3 tools to assess the mindset of professionals, the organisation and the adult with a learning disability. The Overview will be linked to the curriculum of university and VET organizations (schooling social workers, educators, occupational therapists) and the VET plans in services and organisations that support adults. The Mindset tools will influence the key competences of the professionals and the HR-policy of organizations. But most important, at the end, training will be more effective, and adults with learning disabilities will have acquired cognitive skills, necessary for successful adaptation and successful social participation. Athough the cognitive skills are useful on all domains of life, C&I will especially focus on applications of the approaches within the employment area of adults with a disability', as 'work' is a facilitator towards social inclusion. The C&I partnership consists of 2 universities/university colleges (Tampere university of applied sciences - Finland, University of Evora - Portugal, 4 organisations that implement successfully cognitive approaches (Vale - Spain, NARHU - Bulgaria, 'den achtkanter' - Belgium - coordinating organization, Kulturcentrum Väst- Sweden), 1 organisation whose core business is organisation development and staff training (Irecoop - Italy), 1 regional organisation that makes the transition towards an inclusive policy (IVASS - Spain) and 1 european network (European network of social authorities). The partners will meet regularly, establish regional/national local expert groups, organize multiplier events to disseminate the tools. 'When you believe, you will achieve!' (R. Feuerstein, 1921 - 2014)