The main objectives of this project were to transform Vocational Training (VET) into a more inclusive and accessible education for people with RDs, encouraging them to develop their studies in equity, in addition to training future professionals without RDs in the care of this target group, avoiding possible negligence due to the lack of current knowledge about RDs, opening new paths to employability. Specifically, we have met objectives related to: 1. The Network of entities, such as improving our quality of work, activities, and practices by enhancing our sustainability and digital processes; develop our capabilities to work transnationally and across sectors; and addressing the priorities and needs common to the field of VET and RDs. 2. VET, such as promoting training in RDs in health and socio-cultural services vocational training; to improve teachers’ practices and training in RDs; and to transform VET and its action towards people with RDs through innovative digital methodologies. 3. People with RDs themselves, such as promoting the inclusion and safety of those who suffer from them; raising awareness of RDs in Europe; and facilitating access for students with RDs to VET.
Rare Diseases (RDs) include thousands of diverse pathologies of low prevalence, usually chronic, with very severe sequelae and an unfavorable prognosis. But due to the lack of knowledge about these RDs (a lack of training and information from care specialists), the professionals who care for those who suffer from them run the risk of being negligent and even harmful to them. Especially in Vocational Training (VET), there is very little curricular content related to RDs: teachers do not have specific training, and experts are not sufficiently involved (generating less qualified professionals and inclusion problems for people with RRS), which makes specific training, educational resources, and a multidisciplinary training approach essential. In order to address these needs, our network of expert entities in RDs developed this project, with which we have provided the VET teaching programme (in health and socio-cultural services) with specific contents in RDs, a course for VET teachers, and a training methodology with specific OERs, achieving an enormous impact on future professionals and on the well-being of people with RDs.