"BRAVE NEW WORDS is a project aimed to create innovative learning pathways that increase the quality of the work of educators and staff members dealing with students with Special Learning Disorders (SpLD), using 3D Printing and Augmentative Reality.The project will be 30 months long and include partners from Poland, Italy, Bulgaria and Spain.SpLD is a type of Neurodevelopmental Disorder that not allows the ability to learn or use specific academic skills in one or more areas of reading, writing, math, listening comprehension, and expressive language, which are the bases for other academic learning. For this reason, students with SpLD need special and inclusive learning pathways and tools for increasing their opportunities to reach proper learning outcomes. Furthermore, people often realize to have a learning disorder already in Adult age and this make more difficult to reach proper learning outcomes.The use of 3D printing and AR technology will transform how people with SpLD will learn by offering a multisensory experience to them. For the development of Multisensory methods and methodology, the new technologies (3Dprinting and AR) can be useful tools for developing new inclusive tools.In particular the 3D Printing is a technology that allow the production of prototypes, considered as anything that is not included in the market, so not possible to buy anywhere.Through a 3D printing it is possible to produce any kind of tool useful for supporting the development of specific cognitive function, especially for Tactile Teaching Methods. At the same time the augmented reality is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real-world are ""augmented"" by computer-generated perceptual information. This technology can be useful for supporting visual and audio teaching methods.The hands-on experience with these 2 technologies will inspire students with SpLD to pay attention to details, get more creative and see the physical realization of their work.On the other side, unfortunately, the adoption of this new technologies in the learning path is often stifled due to 3D printers and AR are considered too much difficult to use, without an educational, learning and training support. However, the situation at the international level is improving as special learning and training paths are being established for the use and application of these technologies. Our project team is composed by 4 partners from 4 different European countries composed by organizations with different profiles: 3D printing and AR experts (CEIPES and Skillsdivers) close to the academic and business sector, an higher education institution (Collegium Balticum) witch play an important role on the educational market in terms of additional thematic courses for disadvantaged groups and one specialized center that deals with people with SpDL and in particular with dyslexia disorder.BRAVE NEW WORDS project aims to create innovative learning pathways that will increase the quality of the work of educators and staff members that deal with learners with Special Learning Disorders. To achieve the goals of the project, the consortium has been defined the following intellectual outputs:IO1: A guideline for teachers and trainers about the use of 3DPrinting and Augmented Reality.IO2: A set of exercises for using the 3DP and AR with people with SpLD.IO3: A pilot phase.IO4: A set of webinar to maximize the impact of the final training version.Brave New Words project is aimed to match the experience and the skills of new technology and SpLD experts for increasing the quality of the teaching process of students belonging to this target group.This aim follows the European proposal adopted for a “Council Recommendation” on high quality early childhood education and care systems, which one of the 5 key component is: “training and working conditions of staff in charge of early childhood education and care,”. At the same time this aim is following the European priorities for the education of adults for 2015-2020, especially the following: “improved quality through monitoring the impact of policies and improving the education of adult educators”."

People with learning disabilities encounter many difficulties in their employment process; nevertheless, SpLD people constitute an important potential to contribute to the economy and the labour market. It is shown, indeed, that vocational training and valuable work experience are useful tools for successful integration into the community. Training is considered one of the most important ways to achieve optimal employability. In several countries the training offer is rich and varied, but there are problems that severely limit the subsequent process integration work. People with disabilities often encounter attitudinal and environmental barriers which do not allow their full active and equal participation in society. The fact that a fifth of the working age is unemployed due to disabilities is a critical issue in as much as it is accepted that many disabled people are able to work if they are given the proper support. TI4PeS is a project developed by a cooperation between an NGO, University, SME and VET Providers from 5 different countries: Sweden, Italy, Bulgaria, Portugal and Poland. The main objective was sharing knowledge and experience between partners on how to increase the capabilities of people with learning disabilities for employment and improve VET students with SpLD skills about ICT and software development; and VET teachers about SpLD issues. The project had the intent to foster transnational cooperation in order to deliver quality and innovative training material in the field of learning disabilities.The results of this project led to the creation of several products functional to the processing of the contents of the platform.Output 1: led to the creation of a report in which each country presented the national situation regarding the world of SpLD, and its inclusion in the school world in the VET field. The overview of this research study has led to an understanding of the needs within each country regarding the scope of ICT as well.Output 2: Led to the creation of a theoretical manual of SpLD knowledge, usable by teachers and trainers who need to understand how to recognize cases of SpLD.Output 3: After data processing and theoretical study, the practical aspect that was focused on was the production of practical and concrete tools to be used in the classrooms for the use of the platform and for the creation of a good working environment in the classroom : teaching PLAN, with observation boards to work on the effectiveness of the platform's content, and inclusion PLAN, useful teacher tools to create a good working environment in the classroom through games and activities. In addition, the contents of ICT (Word, Power Point, Excel, and HTML) have been processed in this output to be inserted into the platform.Output 4: The goal of this output was to test the platform content processed by the partnership. It was done in Portugal and Italy in classes with students with SpLD, with trainers who gave real lessons in the classroom, all under observation that took place through those tools processed in the previous output.Output 5: The goal was to create the e-learning platform. It can be used by teachers and students, allowing you to take advantage of content, create new ones and share them. This allows you to disseminate the necessary materials for lessons according to the needs of the students, so that they are understandable to students with SpLD.The project targets mainly people that are looking for vocational education to access the labor market in order to foster their employability. Another target group were VET trainers that will be trained, even if the project is over, in order to be able to follow the trainee in his/her education path on the online platform as e-tutors. E-tutors will evaluate the learners at the end of each module and at the end of the overall e-training course. The on-line platform is in fact available and open to those that will want to use it in the classroom with student with SpLD. The online training modules offer the necessary theoretical background about ICT and some skills of software development, together with case studies that will prepare the learner before the practical experience. The project is also boosting the supply of suitably qualified VET trainers, and it allow the enhancement of skills in an up-to-date and European framework. Some of our stakeholders found very useful and helpful this platform and the contents created. Institution, schools, association that work in the field of SpLD wanted to use the platform and upgrade contents that can use for train and teach. This partnership was also disseminating the project’s results in terms of the establishment of innovative and qualitative training methods in a European level. Public and private authorities could also be benefited by the use of the project’s results.

The project was initiated by 5 organizations from: Romania-Save the Children Branch Dolj, a non-governmental, democratic, independent, non-profit, non-political and non-religious organization,whose mission is to promote and defend children’s rights, Bulgaria-The First National Dyslexia Center, whose main scope of activities focuses on special pedagogy and, in particular, on specific learning difficulties,Turkey-Silifke MEM, an umbrella organisation which stands on the behalf of Turkey Ministry of National Education, a non-profit public body, responsible for preparation, application and evaluation of all kinds of educational training activities for all age ranges, Germany - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nuremberg, Innovation in Learning Institute, a central research institute at the University of Erlangen, developing, implementing and evaluating integrated pedagogical and technological concepts for promoting technology enhanced learning adapted to the needs of different target groups like pupils, students, student-teachers teachers, seniors, handicapped and Spain - The University of Valencia, Polibienestar Research Institute, a public research institute specialized in research, innovation and social technology, technical advice and training in the field of public policies.This adult education strategic partnership focused on increasing the knowledge, competences and use of the WHO document - the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Children and Youth version (ICF-CY) of the psychologists and special educators in schools, centers and private practices, in the effort to support children with special educational needs. Starting from this, the scope of this project was to provide psychologists, teachers and special educators form 5 European countries helpful methodology and tools for their daily work with children aged 6-12 years with special educational needs (SEN), namely with autism/autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) or specific learning difficulties (SpLD), in assessing the children's capabilities, setting the targets of therapy and evaluating the results achieved.The main objectives of the project: 1.To develop an innovative methodology for the adult specialists in schools, centers and private practices working in addressing the common issue of SEN for children aged 6-12 across 5 European countries, 2.To design two practical e-tools for psychologists, teachers and special educators, to assess the opportunities, needs and daily therapeutic work with children with SEN, to be implemented and tested for 2 years in the 5 partner countries. 3.To develop the competences of groups of psychologists, teachers and educators working with SEN children in selecting an appropriate pedagogical approach during the project implementation. The activities carried out within the project were divided into three main phases: 1. Preparation: after the project was approved, a consortium agreement contained main information related to: reporting procedures, working plan, payment plan. 2. Implementation: the main activity was the design and creation of the outputs foreseen. 3. Management and organizational activities (communication, dissemination, time and budget control).Results and impact: - innovative methodology and tools for specialists in schools, centers and private practices which offered deep knowledge in accurately evaluating the special needs children and improved work methodology by familiarization with useful tools to facilitate the process of integration in schools; - a Short-term joint staff training event involving specialists from 3 countries (except Germany) was held by the partner from Bg where the materials created were tested and evaluated and the competences of an international group who was part of the activities that followed, developed. The partner from Germany organised separately, at local level, in November 2018, the same training activities;- pilot activities were organized under the form of workshops for teachers, psychologists and special educators where the materials created were tested and evaluated in order to check their relevance and applicability;- workshops were organised for specialists to present and test the tools, in order to integrate the outputs into their usual work;- a Multiplier Event was organized by the coordinator for both national and foreign participants to multiply the outputs created and its target audience was not only people responsible for further, higher and adult education, but also policy makers and public authorities.Providing general information about the project, new tools, methodology and perspectives, pilot activities and good practices examples, the project improved the working methods of teachers confronted with the difficulty of daily issues in teaching children with special needs integrated in mass schools. Both psychologists and teachers gained deep knowledge in accurately evaluating the special needs children.

It is widely accepted by the scientific community that children and adults with ASC (Autism Spectrum Conditions) are likely to have accompanying sensory difficulties. It is also scientifically proven that there are three major type of difficulties for ASC individuals: difficulties that are associated directly with their senses (sensory), cognitive difficulties & social difficulties (social interaction). These difficulties have - undoubtedly - a significant impact on their ability to function, process information, and often lead to raised anxiety and stress levels. It is therefore essential to know the specific type of difficulty for a ASC individual in order to comprehend fully the sensory difficulties; equally important, these difficulties need to be thoroughly taken into account in the Life Planning process of the ASC individual. 'A holistic approach of person-centered planning for people with Autism' ('AUTISM_PCP') aims to equip ASC individuals and those in support of them with the necessary knowledge and Life planning tools to deal with 'transitional' periods and/or situations which often result in raised levels of stress & anxiety; these transitions can be short term, such as Home to school, home to shops, class to class or long term, such as school to University, school/university to working environment. The Life Planning tools developed within AUTISM_PCP will include also planning where to live, how to live, how to get about, and the steps required to make hopes and personal goals happen, including employment, housing and independence. The main objectives of the 'AUTISM_PCP' can be summarised as follows:- Empowerment of individuals at risk of social exclusion and more specifically empowerment of ASC individuals- Strengthening of the overall effort for social inclusion and integration of ASC individuals at mainstream education & society at large- Enhancing competences of professionals and all those individuals, such as family members & relatives, etc., involved in the life of ASC individualsOne of the innovative elements & strengths of 'AUTISM_PCP' is the large number and diversity of key stakeholders who will actively participate in the project. These stakeholders include people with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), educators/teachers in Special Education & Autism, adult education & VET teachers, experts in SEN & ASC and facilitators/mentors. It is expected that more than 150 participants will be directly involved in the various activities of the project, throughout the implementation period. 'AUTISM_PCP' project will deliver three important & innovative intellectual outputs, which target directly those individuals with Autism as well as those professionals in support of those in Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), including their immediate families & relatives. 'AUTISM_PCP' will also develop a training manual for all those in support of ASC individuals, which will be used as a basis of training courses, which are scheduled to be delivered in three different 'AUTISM_PCP' participating countries. The methodology applied for the development of intellectual outputs within the 'AUTISM_PCP' project will be based on the following elements:- Literature research/study- Expert knowledge (external & internal)- Feedback from participants - Expert review/validationThe results expected by 'AUTISM_PCP' during the project and on its completion are as follows:1. It will strengthen the social inclusion' of individuals with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC)2. It will improve and extend the supply of high quality learning opportunities tailored to the needs of individuals due to the tailor made training manuals to be developed during the implementation of the project and the trainings to be delivered after the official end of the project by consortium partners as well as stakeholders outside the consortium3. It will improve educators' competences', that is, all those with the role of facilitator for individuals with ASC 4. It will promote the empowerment and active citizenship with focus on individuals with ASC5. It will develop mechanisms to monitor the effectiveness of adult learning policies or to track and monitor the progress of adult learners.6. It will support the overall effort of combating Early School Leaving (ESL) by reducing the risk of social exclusion for vulnerable groups, such as those with ASC. From all above, it is clear that 'AUTISM_PCP' is an innovative cross sectoral strategic partnership project that aims to make a significant contribution towards the development of a harmonized approach with regards to Life Planning Tools for Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) individuals across Europe.