The Project

The project “Just Two Steps: Schools of Inclusion and Participation” is implemented in Italy and Hungary thanks to the co-financing of the European Union under the Erasmus+ program.

The goal is to make schools more inclusive and accessible environments where all children, with and without disabilities, can fully develop their potential: personality, talents, creativity, and skills.

To achieve this goal, the project focuses on enhancing the knowledge and skills of school staff, addressing physical, cultural, and behavioral barriers, and involving the entire educational community (teachers, families and students).

 

The Context

In Italy, during 2022/2023 school year, nearly 338,000 students with disabilities attended schools of all levels, accounting for 4.1% of the total enrolment (a 7% increase, 21,000 more students compared to the previous school year).

In Hungary, during 2019/2020 school year, students with special educational needs accounted for 6.04% (40,661 in primary school, 17,335 in secondary school), with a steady increase from less than 83,000 in 2015 to 91,000 in 2019.

 

General Objective

To promote the right to inclusive education for children with disabilities (UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and European Commission's 2021-2030 Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).

 

Specific Objectives

• To train school staff with knowledge and skills in inclusive teaching.

• To promote the active participation of students to enhance sensory accessibility in social and school contexts.

• To disseminate inclusive behaviours towards children with disabilities through their empowerment and that of their families.

 

Direct Beneficiaries

• 900 children with and without disabilities, prioritizing the age group 6-14 years.

• 45 teachers, trainers, and school administrators.

• Families of children with disabilities.

Indirect Beneficiaries Families of children without disabilities, local school and educational services, general public.

 

Activities

- Community of Practices: School staff engage in training and exchange of experience to acquire knowledge on the rights of persons with disabilities and skills in Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

- CBM theatrical performance “Just Two Steps” and inclusion and participation workshops: Students and teachers participate to make their social and school environments more accessible and inclusive.

- An international group of self-representation and advocacy: Students with disabilities and their families develop awareness tools to promote a culture of inclusion, fight prejudices and discrimination, and encourage inclusive behaviors in school and extracurricular settings.

 

Results

• Acquisition of inclusive teaching knowledge and skills by school staff.

• Increased awareness of sensory barriers among children with and without disabilities and school staff.

• Enhanced knowledge about disabilities among children with and without disabilities and their families.

  

 

Partners

 

  

 

 

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.