With RURAAC, we committed to making natural resources accessible in an inclusive way, promoting the integration and active participation of every individual. The lack of access to natural heritage by people with intellectual disabilities (PDI), particularly evident in rural areas, constitutes a significant limitation that risks exacerbating their isolation and depriving them of essential opportunities for inclusion and well-being. The activities were aimed at achieving three specific objectives (SO): - SO1: Develop the professional skills of educators working with adults with intellectual disabilities and educators working in the field of outdoor education on the topic of AAC. - SO2: Promote the protagonism of PDI in rural areas through a co-design process aimed at producing AAC materials to promote local natural heritage. - SO3: Disseminate the project results within local communities in rural areas, encouraging them to use AAC in their activities to promote natural heritage.
RURAAC was born out of the need to promote the social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities (PDI) in outdoor experiences. The enjoyment of natural heritage offers valuable opportunities for personal development, skill learning, and mental health improvement. The project originated from the needs of educators, both in the field of outdoor education and social inclusion of adults with intellectual disabilities, to acquire skills and expertise to make natural heritage accessible and to encourage the co-design of materials in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). With RURAAC, we sought to fill a basic gap caused by the lack of preparation among the educators of the aforementioned adults in the field of natural heritage enhancement. RURAAC addressed these challenges by promoting the development of AAC skills among educators, enabling them, people with intellectual disabilities, and members of the local community to co-design AAC materials to enhance the natural heritage of rural areas. This approach laid the foundation for innovative, inclusive, and accessible learning methods that can be easily replicated.