Without restrictions

<< Background >>In the EU, approximately 3.9 million young people aged 16–24 live with a disability, representing around 8.8 % of that age group (Eurostat, 2023). Given the lack of specific data for young people with mobility disabilities, it was inferred from practical experience that their participation rates in higher education, public events, and other areas were low. By empowering organizations to develop tailored approaches and support systems, society could become more inclusive and accepting. For the young people themselves, projects like ours offer new opportunities and a renewed sense of possibility. This project represented a valuable opportunity to strengthen the capacities of our organizations, deepen our expertise in working with youth with mobility disabilities, and contribute to building a more inclusive society. Furthermore, we aimed to inspire and support youth leaders with disabilities to advocate for their rights and participate actively in mobility programs and decision-making processes. Implementing this project at the international level enhanced our impact through increased collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the ability to address shared challenges.<< Objectives >>The objective of this initiative was to equip youth workers who engaged with young people with mobility disabilities with a new method to better understand their needs and opinions on various issues. It aimed to conduct research that deepened the understanding of these young people’s needs and aspirations, ultimately promoting their inclusion in youth work. The project also provided youth leaders with mobility disabilities the opportunity to actively participate in the research process, gaining valuable and practical life skills. They were co-researchers who also contributed to the interpretation and analysis of data, including identifying key themes and insights from the obtained material. It sought to identify stereotypes that hindered the inclusion of these young individuals in youth activities, highlighted good practice examples from partner organizations in various countries, and developed recommendations for youth workers to challenge these stereotypes and enhance their work with young people with mobility disabilities. In parallel, the project also aimed to build the capacity of the participating NGOs, enabling them to continue working with inclusive youth methods in future projects, including Erasmus+ initiatives.<< Implementation >>Kick-off meeting and learning session were held where partners agreed on activity plans and responsibilities. Training covered practical needs for young people with mobility disabilities participating in the project. A workshop in Latvia provided training on the photovoice method by researchers from Latvia and Lithuania, using non-formal education methods. Lithuanian participants learned more about the situation in Latvia. In the active research, participants documented their daily lives through photographs, supported by researchers via consultations. During an exchange visit to Lithuania, co-researchers discussed their photos and observations from the previous stage, learned the basics of qualitative data analysis, and Latvian colleagues explored the Lithuanian context. Data analysis – researchers analyzed the collected data, and a report was shared with co-researchers for feedback on content, terminology, and accessibility. Also, young people’s everyday difficulties were captured in video stories. The project concluded with public discussions and exhibitions containing co-researchers’ photographs and quotes from the research, including a display at the LAMPA festival in Latvia where we presented the results of the project.<< Results >>In both countries, organisations gained invaluable experience in working with the target group. They are now better prepared to sustain long-term cooperation and expand their experience with international projects. Organizations have strengthened their capacities, each developing at least one new project idea for the future. The project has developed a trilingual research report based on the photovoice method about how young people with mobility disabilities feel in Latvia and Lithuania. It provides the social and legislative context, the analysis of the data, as well as a conclusion and a list of recommendations. In the study, young people became co-researchers and gained practical skills in research, photography, public speaking, teamwork, digital tools, etc. Moreover, youth leaders with mobility disabilities have been empowered to become socially active and have developed plans for at least one project focused on enhancing and promoting the involvement and openness of young people with mobility disabilities. Photo exhibitions in public places and discussions raised awareness and visibility of the problem. The brochure and guidelines about the photovoice method were given to youth workers to introduce it in youth work.