The objectives of the project were as follows: To train associates of non-governmental organizations working with people with intellectual disabilities in teaching digital technology skills to enhance the social inclusion, independence, and quality of life of individuals with disabilities. To align the project with the horizontal priority of Inclusion and diversity in all fields of education by empowering the target group to teach people with disabilities and include them in education and training activities. To address the horizontal priority of Addressing digital transformation through the development of digital readiness, resilience, and capacity by equipping the target group with digital knowledge and skills that can be transferred to people with disabilities, ultimately improving their quality of life. To enhance the integration of people with intellectual disabilities into the local community by acquiring digital skills, in line with the priorities of bridging intercultural, inter-generational, and social divides and fostering community cohesion.
During the Covid crisis, our efforts to support people with intellectual disabilities revealed their limited digital knowledge and skills, hindering their ability to effectively utilize digital technologies and enhance their quality of life. We also discovered that individuals with intellectual disabilities who access the internet are highly vulnerable to deception and the potential for significant harm, as they lack awareness of online dangers and misinformation. Furthermore, we identified a lack of digital proficiency among caregivers, limiting their ability to provide efficient support. Our search for suitable education and training programs for people with intellectual disabilities highlighted a significant gap, with a lack of dedicated and customized courses tailored to their specific needs. Recognizing that digitalization is a key priority for the EU in the coming years and acknowledging that people with disabilities cannot be left isolated, we decided to develop and implement an educational and training program. The proposed program aimed to empower caregivers to educate people with disabilities in the field of digital skills, equipping them for the use of digital technologies in their daily lives.