There was and still is a considerable need to develop educational training for staff and volunteers working with youths with Down syndrome (DS) or intellectual disabilities, especially concerning physical activities. Down syndrome is a common learning disability, and the condition occurs in approximately 1 in 700 births (U.S Department of Health & Human Service, 2017). There is no cure for the condition; instead, interventions are encouraged to promote independence, social inclusion, physical and mental development (European Commission, 2017, European Commission, 2010, Heller et al., 2003). Many individuals with DS already have or will develop physical health problems, however many still have sedentary lifestyles with little physical exercise (Bull, 2011; Bertapelli, et al., 2016; Heller et al., 2003; Tsimaras & Fotiadou, 2004; Balic, Mateos & Blasco, 2000; Esposito et al., 2012). For individuals with DS, one of the primary reasons for participating in activities is the social interaction with peers (Sayers Menear, 2007); however, many people trying or considering including this group are feeling inadequately equipped on how to best support, motivate and include individuals with disabilities as they lack knowledge not only about their needs but also about their skills (Thai & Kingsley, 2017; Sayers Menear, 2007; Jones, 2003; Kozub & Porretta, 1998). However, being aware of needs and strengths can change attitudes and encourage staff to devise an integrational programme that promotes inclusion and engagement (Spencer-Cavaliere et al., 2017; Campbell et al., 2003); this project successfully accomplished this objective. Participation in our society relates to the fundamental rights of EU citizens, including full access to cultural, sports and leisure activities. The project adhered to the European priorities agreed in: a) The European Disability Strategy 2010-2020: A renewed commitment to a barrier-free Europe (November 2010), b) The Declaration of the European Parliament of 18 April 2012 on children with Down syndrome, c) The European Commission Communication 'The European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion' (December 2010) and d) The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which entered into force in the EU in 2011. The outcome was a functional continuing education and training package for organisations that works or are interested in working with individuals with DS or intellectual disabilities. This enhances the possibilities for individuals with DS or intellectual disabilities to participate in sports activities and at the same time have the increased opportunities to become more integrated into our European society, which will contribute to their empowerment. The training course is in a modular form piloted on staff, youth workers, and volunteers in the partner countries that ensured the effectiveness and cultural adaptation. A website was developed that contains all the generated material, reports and outcomes in the partner languages. The project bridged the gap between higher education and user organisations with limited access to knowledge about barriers and variables that may affect participation in physical activities. By having a consortium of health/sport science, psychology and pedagogical experts in accordance with the EQF, ECVET and EQAVET frameworks together with NGOs that work directly with individuals with disabilities, we have ensured that functional training program was delivered as the results of the proposed programme of work. This was verified via pre and post-tests statistically on the 47 pilot participants. The outcome is a functional continuing education and training package for staff and volunteers in organisations who currently work or are interested in working with this target group. The inclusion of people with disabilities is a European-wide problem. By utilising a transnational project approach, we were able to generate training materials that function effectively in the context of European diversity in social and cultural aspects. By increasing knowledge and awareness of how to support and motivate individuals with DS or intellectual disabilities to participate in sports activities, we promote social inclusion and empower individuals to develop life skills and a better quality of life. The Multiplier events reached 185 participants. The developed material included training about equity, diversity and inclusion to combat segregation and discrimination. The longer-term benefits will be a framework of implementation strategies and skillsets for organisations to utilise via a succinct and economically viable training module. All the material developed is an open resource and available to download at the project's website. The dissemination and sustainability plan worked following the plan, reaching at least 18000 stakeholders (conferences, radio, events, TV interviews, newspapers, book chapters, social media).

The incorporation into the working world of People with Down Syndrome (PDS) is recent, with positive consequences: greater social integration, the promotion of personal autonomy and the fact that they can feel full citizenship Studies shown that PDS are able to improve their learning through Virtual Reality.VIRTUAL DS is launched with the main objective of increasing the competences (attitudes, skills, knowledge) of People with Down Syndrome and Other Intellectual Disabilities, Job Trainers and companies about how to exploit Virtual Reality for increasing the employability of PDS, according to the Supported Employment Model, through an innovative training program. The project has the next specific objectives: • To raise awareness and motivate the full collective about the capacities for employment of PDS and the potential of VR for enhancing them. • To developed VR contents and introduce them in a global training methodology based on the SE Model. • To transfer knowledge and guidelines about how to exploit Virtual Reality as training tool.• To enhance the access of PDS to labor market. • Sensitize companies and thus facilitate the incorporation of the PDS in them. • To develop a collaborative model with commercial companies based on the Supported Employment model for PDS in order to facilitate their active incorporation. In order to cover all the needed competences, the consortium includes: • 4 entities working in the field of supporting PDS (ASINDOWN, ALDO-CET, DDSS, APPT21), involving a big collective of people, families and professionals. These organizations have own staff and also established cooperation with experts in their countries • 1 entity specialized in Supported Employment (STATUS EMPLOYMENT). • 1 company specialized in the development of Virtual Reality contents (IMAGINA RV) Through the execution of this Project the next results obtained are; • Co-Created Methodological Guide with the direct participation of End Users, with the main objective of determining the key contents, methodologies and tools needed for creating and improving the critical competences of people with Down Syndrome, Job Trainers and companies for exploiting Virtual Reality for increasing the employability of PDS, according to the Supported Employment Model. • Training Materials addressed to PDS, Job Trainers and Companies for facilitating the implementation of Virtual Reality for increasing the employability of PDS, according to the Supported Employment Model Training Materials include Virtual Reality Contents developed including virtual scenarios for training PDS in operations and emotional intelligence. Specifications and previous preparation about selected jobs operations needed in order to facilitate the efficient development of VR Contents. Each job has written training contents and VR Contents, (videos, pictures and virtual tours). • Experiential Training Activities designed; They are the core of the Training Program and they are for enhance the practical and experiential training of PDS with Virtual Reality contents, including the optimal and oriented exploitation of aforementioned Training Materials within real environments. • Development of an e-Training Platform, including awareness, Virtual Reality Contents, Training Materials for supporting the implementation of the Training Methodology. • Creation of 5 VIRTUAL DS UNITS in all the Down Syndrome and Supported Employment Associations of the Consortium in order to ensure the sustainable exploitation of the project after the project lifetime. • Development of Dissemination Actions addressed to the European collective related to people with Down Syndrome. VALIDATION ACTIONS of Virtual Reality Contents Training Materials and e-Training Platform have involved a total of 64 people with Down Syndrome, 42 Job Trainers and 25 companies ‘representatives on each participant country. VIRTUAL DS benefits a number of people during the project lifetime: • 131 Persons with Down Syndrome (PDS), their Job Trainers and companies’ representatives have been trained 50 in Spain, 30 in Romania, 20 in Portugal and, 15 in Slovenia and 16 in UK), through their participation in the validation actions (See Validation Report) • More than 1590 people with Down Syndrome, Job Trainers and Companies Representatives (490 in Spain, 200 Romania, 200 Slovenia, 300 Portugal and 400 UK), have been aware, through the multiplier events and dissemination actions (See Dissemination Report).

Down Syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal disorder, occurring at about 1 in 600/1000 birth, worldwide population is about 6 million (www.globaldownsyndrome.org). They usually experience some degree of cognitive disability depending not only on a person health conditions or impairments but also on the extent to which environmental factors support the person’s full participation and inclusion in society.The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to participate on an equal basis with others in recreational and leisure activities as a crucial factor for inclusion. The time people have outside their productive activities and how they can and choose to spend it, has a significant impact on their subjective notion of well-being, their happiness and their life satisfaction (Quality of life and leisure activities. Social Indicators Research, 102(1), 81-91). The self-determination theory and Person Centered Planning form the basis from which DS LEISURE training is designed. The focus is on inclusive activities for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities; trainers and people who have to deal with individuals with intellectual disabilities. DS LEISURE themes are related to the central themes of the UN CRPD: autonomy and full participation. In addition, DS Leisure sees the importance of: Question sent; what are the wishes and requirements of someone with a disabilityCustomization; everyone is different, the strength is to find a creative solution for the individual. Own direction; the experience for growth, self-direction and making contacts are the basis for self-developmentThe network; a good network of family, neighbours, friends around someone creates more inclusion and possibilities. Dialogue; this way of working increases self-awareness and ensures that people learn from each other. DS-LEISURE is launched with the main objective of increasing the competences (attitudes, skills, knowledge) of PDS, professionals working in leisure sector, families of PDS, formal, non-formal caregivers and volunteers, about how to improve Quality of Life of PDS through Inclusive Leisure through an innovative training program.The specific objectives are:To raise awareness and motivate the full collective about the importance of Inclusive Leisure for Quality of Life. To increase the autonomy of PDS for taking decisions about their leisure time with a global Wellbeing and QoL approach.To transfer knowledge and guidelines about how to implement Inclusive Leisure among PDS.To transfer knowledge and guidelines about to exploit ICT Tools (Apps and/ATs) for supporting inclusive leisure for PDS.Thanks to DS LEISURE training, targets can plan their personal leisure time and can participate in various leisure activities. It consists of 5 lessons provided by trainers or supervisors. The content is designed around: What is leisure time; What possibilities are there; What appeals to me; Create personal leisure plan and action plan; Presenting personal leisure time plan and action plan. The DS LEISURE training materials have been validated in four stages, with direct participation of people with Down syndrome, their network and professional of leisure environments. It started with 108 participants in co-creation working sessions and reached 193 participants in experiential training activities.On the DS LEISURE website: https://www.dsleisure.eu/ visitors can find the training materials organised in 3 categories: Compendious - general information about the project and training; Learners where the Workbook and evaluation form are presented; and Trainers where 5 guides and afferent evaluation forms in supporting this training are presented. All the training materials are downloadable for free. An e-Training Platform was developed for supporting the implementation of Training Materials and Experiential Training Activities by exploiting ICT tools for boosting the autonomy of PDS. It is an integral part of the project website and can be accessed through a direct link from the Home page of the website, or directly accessing the following link: http://learn.dsleisure.eu/The e-Training process is based on 5 lessons, which include Training Material, Games and Virtual Scenarios regarding the leisure activities. All of the above are available in English, Romanian, Greek, Italian, Dutch and Turkish.In DS LEISURE training more than 120 people with intellectual disabilities experinced 15 leisure environments training their competences: Self-awareness; Social skills; Assertiveness; Creativity and resolving power; Presentation skills; Request help and use the network; Ability to make choices; Communication; Orientation.564.449 participants indirectly addressed by the dissemination activities: website, social media, awareness presentations in the associations, conferences, seminars, workshops, on-line and paper publications, advertising products.

<< Objectives >>ALL SUSTAINABLE is launched with the AIM of empowering PID to be sustainable citizens and contribute as active agents to sustainable development.ALL SUSTAINABLE will develop a Serious Game-Based Training Methodology for increasing the awareness and competences of PID about sustainability and further transference to independent living projects based in an action-oriented learning approach, where they will be involved by playing an innovative Digital Serious Game<< Implementation >>The Implementation of the ALL-SUSTAINABLE project activities will be structured through the following Working PackagesWP1. Project ManagementWP2. Development of a Serious Game-Based Training MethodologyWP3. Production of a Digital Serious GameWP4. Development of a Training Package with Resources for Trainers and Training Material for Persons with Intellectual DisabilitiesWP5. Sharing, promotion and sustainability activities<< Results >>Main tangible results will be:Experiential Training Methodology for PID’s acquisition of sustainable competences and further transference to their independent living projectsA Digital Serious GameA Training Package for Trainers and PID (trainees)Impact;75 PID and 25 Trainers will participate in the Validation Pilot Actions150 Stakeholders will be involved in the National Multiplier Events3.000 PID, Trainers, Supports and Stakeholders will be targeted by the dissemination actions

People with Down syndrome (PDS) have a higher genetic predisposition to obesity, which reduces their quality of life and even life expectancy. Healthy Lifestyles are the way to control obesity in PDS. A sensible approach to nutrition, eating, regular exercise and healthy routines helps to prevent and reduce weight gain in childhood, adolescence and adult lifeHealthy Lifestyles are not implemented enough due to a lack of i) awareness and understanding of PDS and their families; ii) empowerment of PDS reducing their motivation and medium-long term effects; iii) rigorous technical information,; iv) a tailored and accessible training methodology and tools adapted to PDS, families and professionalsMain objective of HEALTHY DS is increasing the competences (attitudes, skills, knowledge) of the collective around Down Syndrome (DS) (PDS, families and professionals) about how to prevent and reduce obesity while increasing their empowerment, through a innovative training program. The project has the next specific objectives:- Increasing the awareness and understanding of PDS and their families on the impact of Healthy Lifestyles and Empowerment - Collection and evaluation of technical information, existing cases and success factors for transferring Healthy Lifestyles and Empowerment practices - Developing a Training Methodology based in the combination of Healthy Lifestyle and Empowerment approaches- Adaptation of the Training Materials, Practical Activities and Tools to the different capacities of the DS collective- Development of accessible and usable ICT Tools for supporting the Training MethodologyNext partners from 6 countries will participate:- 5 entities working in the field of supporting PDS involving a big collective of persons, families and professionals.- 1 University & Clinic specialized in Nutrition and Healthy Lifesytles, FLA_UV, with experience in training actions in this field, addressed to persons with special needs- 1 Technological Centre, IAT, specialized in development of ICT solutions adapted to collectives with special needsThe next results will be obtained;- Determination of key success factors and lessons learnt for the implementation and training of Healthy Lifestyle Models within an Empowerment environment for PDS involving families and professionals- Determination of the specifications for the development of a successful Training Program - Development of 1 Training Methodology and 1 Set of Training Materials, Practical Activities and Tools - Development of 1 e-Training Platform, including awareness, training contents and tailored and adapted ICT solutions based on gaming for supporting the Training Methodology- Creation of 5 HEALTHY DS UNITS in the Associations belonging to the Consortium for the sustainable exploitation of the project- Development of Dissemination Actions The next methodology will be applied. Revision of critical aspects for a Healthy Lifestyles transference and implementationGuidelines for Healthy Lifestyles (nutrition, exercise, habits) of PDS within an Empowerment environment. Nutrition needs of PDS and healthy alternatives as well as applicable indoor & outdoor physic activities and habits will be determined. Successful implementation factors for transference, empowerment practices, exploitation of ICT Tools and competences development will be identifiedDevelopment of Training Materials and Activities adapted to PDS, families and professionals and roles (trainers and trainees), including specificities based on age, health situation, weight, country…It will be develop;• Adapted Training Materials; bases for improving Healthy Lifestyles of PDS within an Empowerment environment, among others: Awareness; Nutrition needs; Healthy Lifestyle Pyramid; Food alternatives; Menus combinations; Customized diets; Eating practices, food portions sizes; Indoor&Outdoor activities; Habits, resting, hygiene…);Self-decision making process.• Adapted Practical Activities to be implemented both in professional assistance and private/ domestic /family environments; Development of Healthy Menus; Healthy and Autonomous Purchasing in local markets; Healthy Cooking; Practicing Healthy Outdoor Activities; Practicing Healthy Indoor ActivitiesDevelopment of ICT supporting tools and e-Training PlatformDevelopment of ICT Tools integrated in an e-Platform/Website for boosting the implementation of the training methodology. They will be based on gaming and accessibilityf or motivating PDS and facilitate its exploitation: Self-diagnosis of Healthy Lifestyle, Selection of healthy food and activities...Project Activities will be completed with Management and Implementation actions IMPACT during the project lifetime:• 192 PDS, 125 family members and 113 professionals trained directly through pilot validation actions, exceeding the initial goal of involving • 3,581 family and professional PDS, the object of the awareness