E-ducation Platform and Practices For E-Specially Arts-Abled Schools and Families

According to data extracted from the European Commission's Eurostat statistics, the values reflecting the number of young people with disabilities who are neither in employment nor in further education or training are really worrying. This project, based on a holistic approach, came about after assessing the needs of our organisations, their participants/pupils with SEN, and the teachers, schools and families of these participants/pupils. From working with partner schools, families and local authorities who employ, care for or educate people/pupils with SEN and ASD, a needs analysis was carried out which showed that pupils with and without SEN in formal school education receive the basic academic education they need. However, there is still a need for them to have access to an organised combination of different, innovative, interdisciplinary and cyber-based methods, practices and applications to work on the development of key social skills for inclusion and employability competences. This combination should amalgamate arts education and SEN both in real/classroom settings and in cyberspace/web-based communities.

During the project, a methodological FRAMEWORK and PRACTICES were created to amalgamate art and SEN. These methodological applications and practices were adapted and transferred into formats applicable/usable in the everyday life of pupils with SEN and their families. B- The methodological framework and practices of the project were conceived to be uploaded on an ELECTRONIC PLATFORM and to be converted into an open source, usable, freely accessible to all. C- The creation of a 'SUPPORT WEBSITE' was also carried out in order to function as a resource for families of pupils with special educational needs. Its content consisted mainly of usable/applicable at home formats adapted from the practices, activities and methods of the project. On this website, a CYBER-COMMUNITY for NETWORKING was also created based on extensions and 'community builder' modules. CYBER-COMMUNITY for NETWORKING became a space for mutual cooperation of all families, teachers of pupils with SEN. In this way, a multifaceted/interdisciplinary, 'CALIDOSCOPIC' set of practices and methodological approaches adaptable to all educational levels and processes was produced.

Various activities were carried out to meet the objectives of the project: learning, teaching, training and multiplier events. These activities included training in the networking of artistic activities with SEN, as well as the adaptation of activities for the Internet and an electronic platform. Seminars, courses and visits were also organised to explore the relationship between vocational education, employability and SEN. Practical methods of adaptation to the support website and everyday life were observed. Two main outcomes were a methodological framework and an electronic platform. In addition, a support website for families with SEN was designed and an e-community was created. Multiplier events were held to promote the project, including exhibitions, conferences and workshops in Turkey, Spain and Italy.

The project results had implications for different groups and educational centers, summarized in two main areas: 1- PARTICIPANTS - Schools, Teachers, students with SEN, Families -. Skills and knowledge were provided to students with SEN to express themselves through various artistic activities. Students were facilitated to learn and experience interconnections in life. A new methodological framework, website, and cybercommunity were designed for teachers, schools, families, and SEN. An open-access resource was created for project practices. Activities were adapted to electronic platforms for family use. A virtual community was formed for cooperation. 2- INDIVIDUALS and ORGANIZATIONS besides participants. Networks in education and humanities were promoted. Organizational capacity was enhanced. Skills were developed in art and teaching. Opportunities for international cooperation were fostered. Humanitarian values were disseminated. The project encouraged social entrepreneurship. The main objective was enjoyment and social change for people with SEN.