Description
The project aims to work towards the preparation for an autonomous life project of students with special educational needs who attend regular schools, with specific individual resumes which facilitate their transition to adulthood, through the involvement of the community in working experiences taking place in real contexts. The project will intervene in schools clusters in three regions (Lisbon, Braga and Viseu). The promoter has a vast experience in this field, and intends, with this project, to meet requests my by these youngsters’ parents - the major challenge lies in the lack of preparation in many parts of the country to develop this community integration work.
Summary of project results
Pupils with Especial Education Needs are a particularly vulnerable group of people because their limitations and disabilities reduce their ability to survive in a world of work with increasing requirements and subject to high competitiveness. They must get specific support to help them compensate for their weaknesses. There is a long way to go to extend the education of these young people, because they are excluded from access to secondary or higher levels. Data published by the European Agency for Development on Especial Needs Education (2012) show that the average number of students in Europe in this situation amounts to 4.19%. 109 vulnerable young people with Especial Education Needs in 3 regions of Portugal (9 municipalities) were involved in this project and had the opportunity to participate in internships offered by 104 companies of the concerned regions. Those internships are an effective way of promoting their transition to an active/adult life and encouraging the psichological and social development and self-determination of the beneficiaries. The partnerships established with the community (104 companies and 13 NGOs), the direct involvement of parents, families and schools, and the support and permanent monitoring offered by professionals on transition (specifically trained for this project) were key success factors of the project but also factors of its sustainability and replication (for example, 90 companies are available to collaborate in the future in similar projects). A manual was produced with the methodology and evaluation of the project and the impact on its beneficiaries. The project was below targets (initial figure of 150) although effort was made to reach the objective, namely by enlarging the covered territory. The NGO reports improvements in consolidating knowledge and methodologies and in establishing new partnerships with private companies and with other community players (schools for example).
Summary of bilateral results