Description
Marginalisation of people with special needs is still widely present in our society. There is a lack of inclusive projects that enable social integration for the mentioned target group; consequently their social skills are not as developed as they could be. The objective of the project is to spread good practice of comprehension of the problems of special needs people into other countries. In order to achieve active inclusion into society. Project outcome is therefore participation of people with special needs in community and a more acceptable, tolerant society for them to live in. The outputs of the project are inclusive festivals “Play with me” in three different countries – Norway, Poland and Slovenia. Target groups are people with special needs, their families, educational facilities and society as such. As donor partner, Kragerø Kommune will prepare the festival in their community as well as the second partner, Polskie Stowarzyszenie na Rzecz Osób z Upośledzeniem Umysłowym Koło w Jaworznie. All three partners will work towards achieving the set project objectives.
Summary of project results
Project was needed because of the current situation in the field of education of children and young people with special needs, which is still full of prejudices, stereotypes, weak understanding and undervaluing their abilities. With informal methods and innovative practice (like the unique Play with me festival offers) we tried to improve this situation and spread good practice into other countries as well. We widened good practice of spreading the comprehension and understanding of problems of people with special needs among partner organisations (Norway and Poland). We empowered teachers and their pupils by giving experiences through observing, planning and organizing projects for people with special needs. As well we empowered teachers with new tools and methods for teaching and educating their pupils (through informal education). Due to gained knowledge their performance in the classroom became easier, better and more efficient, because they became more professional and self-confident. We also ensured for children and their teachers to improve their skills of working and understanding people with special needs and learning project planning.
Summary of bilateral results
We cooperated with Kragerø Kommune (municipality) and their staff members, who were engaged to the project. Also we cooperated with their team who was in charge of organisation of Play with me project in Norway and larger community of participants at the festival (local schools, kindergartens, professionals – headmasters, pedagogues, special pedagogues, PPT team, associations and other visitors). Because it was our first cooperation with Norwegian partners we needed some time to adjust to each other’s expectations and vision, but after a while we came to some very good results of our cooperation. We developed very strong and quality partnership with Kragerø Kommune and we intend to continue our cooperation in the future. We were already planning some new projects – also in the field of special education, social integration and inclusion, which would overbuilt the current one. We would like to connect more with some local schools in the Kragerø municipality and strenghten our collaboration. Our partners also have a wish to continue organising the Play with me festival on the basics of gained knowledge and skills and also grow it bigger and more recognised every year. They would like to come to Ljubljana again for a professional training/education about Slovene school system, education of children with special needs and our inclusive practice – such as Play with me.