Highlighting Success: ISEC-ADE Training on Accessible Digital Education for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities in Cyprus

By Ivana Vasilevska Petrovska

From May 21st to May 24th, 2024, we had the pleasure of hosting an inspiring group of over 30 educators from Cyprus, North Macedonia, Greece, and Bulgaria at our Train the Trainers course in Limassol, Cyprus.

Our Training of Trainers (ToT) course is a comprehensive 4-day professional development program designed to enhance educators' competences in providing accessible digital education. The curriculum was meticulously crafted to address the diverse needs of educators, as well as learners with autism and intellectual disabilities through six interactive units.

  1. 1. Common Understanding of Autism and ID: Participants gained insights into autism and intellectual disabilities, emphasizing a strengths-based approach to understanding neurodivergent individuals. This unit also covered inclusive education principles and the application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies to overcome learning barriers.
  2. 2. Accessibility and Quality in Teaching and Learning: This unit focused on key accessibility recommendations in digital education, strategies for effective support in computer-assisted instruction, and specialised instructional components tailored for learners with autism and ID.
  3. 3. Introduction to TeachSpace & TeachHub: Educators were introduced to the functionalities of TeachSpace and TeachHub, platforms designed to support individualized and interactive learning experiences. Hands-on activities demonstrated how to customize digital content and build supportive online communities.
  4. 4. Designing Accessible Digital Learning Environments: Participants developed learner profiles, created accessible content using TeachSpace, and presented their work. This unit emphasized practical application and skill development in designing customized learning environments.
  5. 5. Developing a Training Plan for Community Outreach: Educators worked on creating training plans tailored to their local communities. Group discussions and feedback sessions helped refine these plans to ensure they meet specific community needs.
  6. 6. Practicum and Peer Feedback: The final unit involved practice sessions where participants delivered training segments and received constructive feedback from peers and facilitators. This hands-on experience was invaluable in enhancing their training delivery skills.

    7. The curriculum and training materials are available in the results section.

    A Special Thanks to ShipCon

    A heartfelt thank you to ShipCon for their outstanding organization and support, which contributed significantly to the event's success. Their dedication ensured a smooth and enriching experience for all attendees.

    Looking Ahead

    We are immensely proud of the dedication and hard work demonstrated by all participants and the project management team. The knowledge and skills gained during this training will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the quality of digital education for learners with autism and intellectual disabilities in the participating countries.

    Stay tuned for more updates as we finalize the project activities, and extend our activities further to empower educators and advance accessible digital education. Follow us on our journey towards creating inclusive and innovative learning environments for all.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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