Through the project our main aim was to empower and enable PwLD to organise their leisure independently, thus exercise their rights set out in the UNCRPD. Through this, to participate to the fullest extent in cultural life and recreation and develop their quality of life. To achieve this, we wanted to develop a methodology and training package for the target groups – PwLD, professionals and local informal supporters – to help strengthen the supportive network of PwLD in an inclusive manner and take advantage of online opportunities. The packages aim to develop new opportunities for PwLD and develop their skills to be able to support their peers with disabilities and the wider community regarding inclusive leisure time. Through practical, inclusive and collaborative activities for our target groups our objective was to develop their competencies and support PwLD to become leisure facilitators and professionals and supporters to become leisure co-facilitators. A wider objective was to create a shared knowledge base from a European perspective that is free to access, use and adapt to the needs of people with different abilities.
The consortium applied for this project to address a crucial issue for PwLD: social marginalisation and the limited leisure opportunities. Many leisure activities take place in segregated form for PwLD and at the time of the pandemic (2021) the restrictions resulted in high risk of total isolation of PwLD. These barriers didn’t comply with the aims to promote inclusion and diversity in today’s society, therefore we aimed to expand the possibilities and forms of leisure by exploring new opportunities, developing knowledge and skills of the target groups. The need for quality leisure time and inclusion was visible in the project partner’s everyday work. To be able to support PwLD in participating, there was a need for professionals and informal supporters, who are better equipped in the topic of leisure and with appropriate tools, such as supported decision-making and the use of online and offline tools. The need for more informal relations was also experienced – we addressed it by giving visibility to the role of local informal supporters. To address the needs & increase community participation, the project aimed at the development and cooperation of the target groups about leisure: PwLD, professionals&local informal supporters