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European Network in Nutritional Education for Acquired DIsabilities

2020-1-IT01-KA202-0085572020Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and trainingfinalized
Countries: IT|LT|ES · Grant: €253,255
New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training coursesDisabilities - special needsHealth and wellbeing

Project summary

People with neurological acquired disability due to a traumatic event (after brain or spinal cord injury), live specific conditions and needs during their own "new" life. On the physical point of view, obesity and overweight, type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, are phenomena that are, among others, much more common among people with acquired disability than what is experienced among able-body persons. As a consequence, life expectancy and quality of life are deeply affected. That also happens because of scarce awareness on the importance of healthy behaviours and good life styles related to personal nutrition. Furthermore, a common education on these themes lacks among professionals that with different roles work and assist people with acquired disabilities. Thus, a clear need emerges in developing and testing educational contents on the broad field of wellbeing practices in favor of people with acquired disabilities, first of all in favor of different professionals. Innovative solutions are to be experimented, taking avail of digital technologies, in order to provide for training sessions to be implemented in different learning contexts (i.g. not only traditional class sessions but also on-the-job sessions; on-distance e-learning sessions, etc.). Such solutions are expected to provide for innovative, open, flexible and sustainable ways to offer the transmission of crucial notions (on the quality of life and good dietary practices and their importance on life expectancy of disadvantaged people), in favour of trainees with competences, education and roles that are very different even if, on the other side, commonly tied to the personal assistance to persons with acquired disability. In terms of specific objectives the project intends: 1) To let involved professionals and stakeholders improve their knowledge on good practices (at European level), related to quality of life, wellbeing and nutritional practices in favour of people with acquired disability; 2) to start up a methodological review of new training paths aimed at teaching in innovative, flexible and open ways, the aforementioned subjects in favour of professionals with very different educational and professional background; 3) to raise awareness among partner's entities, local stakeholders, institutions and European networks on the importance of practices on quality of life and dietary good standards for assuring well being of disadvantaged people such as persons with acquired disability. Participants to the project can be distinguished between: Direct participants - staff of partners'organisations taking part to transnational meetings and short-term training sessions: 85 participations - professionals testing the e-learning course: 80 - political decision-makers, institutional referents, local stakeholders taking part to local resonance group and focus group: 82 - organisations'staff, professionals, institutional referents, policy makers, associations, other stakeholders, disabled people, family members and caregivers, taking part to public events: min. 198. General results: - a definition of innovative educational methodologies developed in collaboration with experienced partners and validated through a peer review by the project's network, in particular on the field of good quality-of-life and nutrition practices and services for the target groups; - a design, experimentation and dissemination of educational tools aimed at providing for professional contents on good nutritional practices, to be used on flexible e-learning platforms and tools. Tangible results: - Guidelines on training and educational methodologies and practices in favor of professionals ordinarily working with people with acquired disability, taking stock of most recent scientific research in the field of life sciences, health, life quality, etc. - Design and development of a course addressed to professionals ordinarily working with people with acquired disability on preventive dietary habits and quality of life. - E-learning short course addressed to professionals ordinarily working with people with acquired disability on preventive dietary habits and quality of life - Policy recommendations that contribute to the promotion of structured training modules on healthy and correct eating habits for people with disabilities acquired in the institutions and bodies that offer study courses and refresher courses for professionals. Project activities: 4 transnational meetings: 2 in Italy, 1 in Spain, 1 in Lithuania 2 short-term joint staff training events: 1 in Italy, 1 in Spain 4 multiplier events connected during European Day of Awakenings 2021 and 2022 involving a large number of relevant stakeholder

Objectives

Main project objectives achieved through project implementation are: 1. To let involved professionals and stakeholders improve their knowledge on good practices (at European level), related to quality of life, wellbeing and nutritional practices in favour of people with acquired disability; 2. to start up a methodological review of new training paths aimed at teaching in innovative, flexible and open ways, the aforementioned subjects in favour of professionals with very different educational and professional background; 3. to raise awareness among partner’s entities, local stakeholders, institutions and European networks on the importance of practices on quality of life and dietary good standards for assuring wellbeing of disadvantaged people such as persons with acquired disability.

Background

People with neurological acquired disability due to a traumatic event (after brain or spinal cord injury) live specific conditions & needs during their "new" life. On the physical point of view, obesity, overweight, type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, are phenomena that are, among others, more common among them, making their life expectancy & quality deeply affected. This happens because of scarce awareness on the importance of healthy behaviours & good life styles within personal nutrition too. Also, a common education on these themes lacks among professionals that with different roles work & assist people with acquired disabilities. Thus, we need to develop & test educational contents on the broad field of wellbeing practices towards this target, addressing different professionals. Innovative solutions are to be experimented, taking avail of digital technologies, in order to provide for innovative, open, flexible training sessions in different learning contexts, to transmit crucial notions (on quality of life & good dietary practices of disadvantaged people), in favour of trainees with competences, education & roles that are very different even if commonly tied to persons with acquired disability’s personal assistance.

Project partners (4)