HOMER - Soft skills development of blind & visually impaired youth in and through sports

The cognitive mechanisms of the blind and visually impaired are based on mobility. Motor skills help the blind and visually impaired people to perceive their environment, to place objects, to orient and enrich their knowledge, gaining perceptual coordination in their movements. Thus, the contribution of sports is very important for the psychosomatic development and socialization of the blind or visually impaired person. Sports contribute to the creation of motor experiences, motor skills, increase endurance, strength and balance, flexibility and coordination, but beyond that they contribute to the increase of self-confidence and perseverance, the exercise of the ability to relax, social adjustment and in the development of soft skills, which help the person in his daily life, but also in finding a job. Homer is an 18month European project which focuses on cultivating soft skills in the blind and visually impaired young people in and through sports, using non-formal education and aims to prepare them for the job market. Therefore, the theme chosen for the project is fully in line with the topics included in the Small Collaborative Partnership, which is to "Promote education in and through sports" and the "inclusion of people with disabilities". The project promotes the creation of a transnational network focusing on the blind and visually impaired young people in sports, as well as the role of sports in the cultivation of skills.