Communication is the path to integration Erasmus Project

Project Title

Communication is the path to integration

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Disabilities – special needs; Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

Nowadays, the focus is on the employment of people with disabilities, but successful integration solutions cannot be solved without solving the communication problems. One of the most important and essential human needs is communication. However, communication difficulties cause several levels of problems: the levels of the disabled person, his relatives and those around him. Other people have difficulty understanding even their basic needs due to the language comprehension and communication difficulties of a person with a disability. Both people with a mental disability and those around them suffer from stress because they are unable to express the need for help. Only a person who is able to communicate can integrate into society and participate in various activities with everyone, while improving their socialization, can show their emotions without complexes and not feel alone. Unfortunately, people with disabilities are not always able to easily express their feelings. The aim of this project was to find communication opportunities and solve emerging problems, to apply the best methods of communication that would allow to express the opinions and feelings of people with mental and intellectual disabilities. In this project, we tried to involve all people with different disabilities and facilitate the communication process of the disabled. One of project goal is to adapt the methodological tool according to the cognitive and social abilities of each participant. We believe that by using the latest tools based on the latest technology, we will motivate, engage and encourage our clients to improve their communication skills even after the project is over. The knowledge gained during the project about communication methods motivates our clients to use new learned communication skills outside the organization, for example, they will use the learned tools to collaborate with their family, make new friends and more. During the project implementation, 2 local meetings were organized in Lithuania and Iceland. The meetings organized in Lithuania and Iceland were attended by 2-3 employees of the organization and 1 person with a mental or complex disability from each country. The third remote meeting was attended by 3-12 employees and 6-15 disabled people with mental or complex disabilities from each country. At each meeting, each country presented methods for improving communication skills in their organizations. Jonava distric people with disabilities activity center presented the methodological tool “Communication via picture”. The Haefingarstodin Baejarhrauni center introduced the AAC method. Strázsa Tanya Közhasznú Szocial Szövetkezet presented the drama as a communication method. Each project partner introduced the communication methods used in their institution and shared their good practices, and the members of the organization learned how to improve the communication skills of people with mental disabilities. We want to note that during the remote meeting, Iceland and Lithuania purchased equipment for the disabled, which helped them to fully participate in the organized activities. This equipment will be used after the end of the project too. The staff and people with disabilities who took part in the meetings took part in various workshops and learn how to apply new communication skills. After learning about the latest ways to improve their communication skills, the project participants not only passed on the knowledge they had acquired about their new communication methods to their people in their home country, but also shared their knowledge with other staff. We would like to mention the fact that thanks to the project, each organization participating in the project will be able to apply at least 2 additional methods that have been learned in its work with people with disabilities instead of one applied method. We would also like to point out that the three available methods can be applied depending on the severity of the disability of the disabled person, which in fact greatly facilitates the work with the disabled. We note that the project improved not only communication but also emotion management skills, which helped to reduce the feeling of social isolation and improved social integration. The material base created during the project (communication methods and purchased equipment) not only improved the quality of institutions’ work with disabled people, but also allowed the disabled themselves to feel full members of society, to express their thoughts and wishes. Taking into account the experience gained during the project and the material base created, this activity will be continued.

Project Website

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/#project/2018-1-LT01-KA204-046976

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 39610 Eur

Project Coordinator

Jonava distric people with disabilities Activity Center & Country: LT

Project Partners

• Strázsa Tanya Közhasznú Szociális Szövetkezet
• Haefingarstodin Baejarhrauni