The Urban Survival Kits project is a trans-national learning initiative exploring how Adults With Disabilities (AWD), including atypical and neurodiverse, can be supported with their local, national and international travel needs. USK builds on the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 and removes barriers in physical infrastructure; accessibility of information, and creates effective communication tools. Without immediate intervention; people with disabilities will continue to be the most deeply impacted and isolated people in our society. The long-term implications of the pandemic and additional challenges they face in daily life mean that without the opportunities to reengage and connect they will remain largely excluded. The partnership is designed to maximise the impact of “Urban Survival Kits” (USK): an innovative program with staff and the adults with disabilities they support (AWD). USK is an individually centred program delivered through a variety of artistic mediums/techniques and integrated through digital media. USK is introducing innovative ways of thinking and working and developing a range of skills based on the key competencies of lifelong learning. Through intensive hands-on training, the 12 staff will directly experience each element and outcomes of the program. Their experience, reflective learning and expertise will directly inform and refine the workshops delivered to AWD in each partner organisation. A series of online workshops will be delivered to 24 AWD, supported by staff, creating a specifically tailored, inclusive and immersive learning experience. This integrated structure provides a safe way of experimenting, externalising, reframing and ultimately sharing their real-life stories and experiences. Increasing the relevance, level of engagement and long-term impact and opportunities it will create. Activities include: 1 STT (5) days (15) Staff 1 blended mobility workshop (5) AWD (30) support staff (15) 1 Blended mobility workshops (5) AWD (30) support staff (15) 5 Multiplier Events partner-based. 1 International Multiplier event 1 Awards Multiplier Event (+online International virtual exhibition tour) 20 Partner online meetings 4 Transnational meetings Partner organisations from Northern Ireland, Croatia, Turkey, and Poland provide a holistic integrated approach to the educational goals of USK - collectively creating an adaptable blueprint for Survival Kits which can be adapted for any place, time or situation. During 24 months, partners will translate, adapt and consult directly in contact with the artist. Establishing a collaborative process of ongoing evaluation, optimising the accessibility of all teaching and learning methods, materials and instruction manuals for each partner organisation. Participants will: - experiment with new artistic and digital mediums for self-expression, exploration and navigation of the world around them - build directly transferable life skills needed to orientate and negotiate the independent adventures ahead - develop their creative, digital competencies and create any survival kit they will ever need - practice hands-on training, digital recording content from their site Digital Trail working as part of a rotating film crew - prepare an Exhibition, showcasing their Survival Kits, Digital Trails, Artworks and UV inventions. A unique opportunity to re-connect and interact as part of a larger group - create a universal/traditional game for Livestream interaction, providing an opportunity to share interact and network international platform An International Exhibition of selected works at the University of The Atypical Public Gallery will create a way of engaging peers, policymakers, government agencies and creating a new international audience and online presence - transforming individual and collective narratives; establishing them as survivors, leaders and peer advocates of the future. The Digital Trails Website and the app will also be launched, creating a sustainable network linking each of the Live Digital Trails which can be followed and contributed to. The growth of live interactive Digital Trails will provide a sustainable mechanism to connect, communicate and reengage through an accessible network; enriching social interaction, leading the AWD across Europe. The USK Awards and selected works will tour via a 3-d printer and be reproduced and presented to the participants in each partner country. By creating and sharing their own USK, the learners and teachers will: - adapt the process for their re-engagement and active participation in wider society - create new strategies to prepare them for reconnecting and engaging with daily life and journeys of any distance or kind - create their own personal dialogue and means of communicating beyond the confines of traditional language - Collectively creating a universal language, dialogue, teaching and learning tools providing a reusable framework for inclusivity in adult education and dire
To create an accessible travel kit for Adults With Disabilities (AWD). To create transnational learning opportunities for AWD exploring different cultures and learning arts and creativity skills. To provide opportunities for AWD to improve their mental health and wellbeing, their self-esteem and to practice active citizenship. To establish links and a network between the partner countries involving the development of equity and accessibility resources for AWD. To create a support framework for learners/AWD. To support AWD with the development of organisation and planning skills to assist them with future independent travel In a broad sense, we wanted to contribute to Erasmus+ objectives of HORIZONTAL: Skills development and inclusion through creativity and the arts, and HORIZONTAL: Social inclusion. By doing so, we would also develop the skills of our staff and beneficiaries, and promote social inclusion of persons with disabilities.
University of Atypical For Arts and Disability (UofA) applied for this project as we had identified an opportunity to engage Adults with Disabilities in an innovative and exciting transnational programme of creativity and learning. Inspired by our own professional artist Julie Mc Gowan, we engaged in a process of research and exploration around how this programme would be delivered. Julie's idea was to create an accessible travel kit for Adults With Disabilities (AWD) that would be done through exploring different cultures, arts and creativity skills and this became the foundation of this programme. We saw this programme as having wider benefits, in that it would provide social, travel and integration opportunities for AWD in their local communities. We hoped that this would improve mental health and wellbeing, their self-esteem, practise active citizenship and to assist them with future independent travel . The UofA saw this as a valuable opportunity to engage in transnational comparison, discussion and sharing of the provision of opportunities for AWD across different cultures, establish links and a network between the partner countries.