Role models for pupils with disabilities

The concrete objectives of this project was to support young learners (aged 6-10) in becoming more confident through the collection of success stories in which they can identify themselves, streng...

The concrete objectives of this project was to support young learners (aged 6-10) in becoming more confident through the collection of success stories in which they can identify themselves, strengthen inclusion and diversity in the classrooms and foster the development of learners’ key competencies and basic skills (literacy and digital skills) and provide inclusive learning resources for learners and teachers. Through the development of confidence (the confidence and self-esteem play a crucial role in education), we wanted to tackle learning disadvantages and support the prevention of early school leaving.Truly inclusive classrooms need books and stories that support inclusive goals and offer the possibility for identification for all pupils and all children need good role models to support their development.Despite the efforts to create more inclusive stories and inclusive classrooms in general, research shows that contemporary children’s literature often reproduces stereotypes, and children’s literature that accurately portrays characters with a disability is one tool that can be used to promote awareness, and enhance inclusion and understanding, while strengthening basi competences (literacy and digital skills).

During the project, we carried out several activities, in addition to project management, promotion and dissemination of the project, 2 partner meetings were held (1 in site and 1 online), and the project website and etwinning project were created, as a way of disseminating the project results. In addition to the mentioned activities, 3 publications were created, a guidebook for teachers (how to develop confidence and self-esteem in children with special needs), a collection of e-stories (in which children with disabilities are accurately portrayed) and a ready-to-use tool for teachers to create their own stories with the students. An evaluation of the created materials was also carried out, which showed that they are applicable, useful and stimulating for students and teachers.

1. a guidebook for teachers on how to strengthen and develop the confidence and self-esteem of pupils with disabilities, as those play a crucial role in their education. The finished and evaluated guidebook is available on the project website (https://www.rolemodelsproject.eu/resources/) and is publicly and freely available for download in 4 languages (English, French, Italian and Croatian). 2. a collection of 8 role model success e-stories for learners with disabilities which accurately portray disabilities. In each story, a main caracter is a child with different disability (eg autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, intellectual disabilities, ect.), but also with different abilities. The stories are written in simple vocabulary and language (so-called easy-to-read material), with simple illustrations, and are adapted to students aged 6 to 10 years. The stories are publicly and freely available in 4 languages on the project website https://www.rolemodelsproject.eu/resources/ 3. workshops - a redy-to-use tool for teachers,educational professionals and pupils with disabilities. A guidance how to create the stories with students with a range of options, technical tips and recomendations, also available on project web site.