Inovatīvas metodes darbā ar invalīdiem

<< Background >>The world is constantly changing, and in order to adapt to the changing conditions and requirements, it is not enough to develop only basic social skills of disabled persons. Over time, not only the environment around us changes, but also the methods used, so it is necessary to share experience with other countries. The main goal of the partnership was to share with each other new applied methods, to include disabled people in this process and to contribute to the promotion of ecology. In this project, we aimed not only for employees to acquire new competences and knowledge in the field of application of new methods, but we also aimed for disabled persons to participate in the process and be able to test these methods in practice by participating in various classes. Project activities helped to achieve this.The other reason why we applied for this project was to support independence and integration of the disabled into society, so that they can become more independent and enjoy higher quality of life.<< Objectives >>The aim of this project was to share the used methodologies among the organizations participating in the project and to apply them in their own organization. Employee training was important to us, during which employees could acquire new skills and competences, but also share their experience. The aim of the project was to involve the disabled persons themselves in this entire process. It was important for us that disabled people could try various methodologies in practice during the organized sessions and we could get feedback from them on how it works. At the same time, the inclusion of disabled persons in activities made it possible to ensure not only their integration and inclusion in the society, but also to develop the trend of environmentalism at the same time.The wanted also to promote communication and cooperation, mutual understanding, tolerance and social inclusion. We planned to develop good practices between partners, to expand the range or efficiency of social interactions including using art and storytelling as methods.<< Implementation >>During the project we participated in several activities:1. Empowering people with disabilities through the arts activities and stories, during which we organized art classes for people with disabilities. The art classes we organized included drawing outdoors and indoors of our well observed every day places (pathways), where we have emotional connection with and story to tell. 2. Creative workshops for people with disabilities - disabled-people friendly, lively and creative classe - son recycled materials use in Lithuania and Latvia allowed us to multiculturally communicate through art between disabled people and their mentors, and include such important topics as sustainability and nature. 3. Digital art exhibition. Aspāzija organized digital art exhibition that exhibited the art works that were created during the first activity of the project. The exhibition available online includes digital display of art pieces carried out by all partners. 4. Staff training held in Lithuania where we learnt about new methods we use for work with disabled people. This increased our understandings on how to communicate more effectively, to manage people who have disabilities and how to work towards their personal outcomes.<< Results >>In general, the project promoted the social inclusion of people with disabilities, allowing them to feel like full members of society with equal opportunities in all areas of life; provided an opportunity to show oneself, overcoming the problems of exclusion and education; promoted communication, mutual understanding and tolerance.Impact on the target group:• The art activity helped people with disabilities learn new social skills and the ability to express their emotions and feelings through photography and artistic activities.• In the classes of creative workshops, persons with disabilities could develop various competences: creativity, communication and cooperation, empathy for other people, understanding, etc. as well as nature conservation skills and seeing areas that you can do yourself regularly.• The digital art exhibition increased the self-confidence of persons with disabilities: pride in themselves that they have talents that they can show to others.Within the framework of the project, the professional competence of the staff will be improved and new professional contacts will be established, promoting sustainable development between neighboring countries, as well as the range of services will be expanded.