As part of this project, a modular curriculum was developed that provides trainers with essential skills and knowledge to effectively support people with disabilities and create an inclusive environment. The modules cover topics such as inclusive teaching and communication, empowerment tools and methods, entrepreneurship and independence for people with disabilities, and inclusive feedback tools and methods.

All modules under: https://www.oejab.at/bildung-integration/europa-international/europaeische-bildungsarbeit/episode

The Significance of Entrepreneurship for an Inclusive Society

On December 3rd, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed worldwide. This day, initiated by the United Nations, aims to raise awareness of the concerns of people with disabilities and promote their rights.

In this context, the role of entrepreneurship by people with disabilities is increasingly gaining importance, as it not only symbolizes individual achievements but also makes a significant contribution to an inclusive society. The establishment of one's own business by people with disabilities can be seen as an act of self-determination and independence. It not only allows these individuals to unfold their professional talents and skills but also contributes to overcoming prejudices and stereotypes.

A thriving and diverse business landscape that promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities is a key factor for an inclusive society. The entire society benefits from this diversity in the business world. Businesses founded by people with disabilities often bring innovative perspectives and ideas that can contribute to discovering untapped market niches. For example, the idea of an inclusive housing project emerged. Parents of children and young people with disabilities founded a company together that makes it possible to live and work in one place. The young people can be comprehensively looked after, complete training and the products generated can be sold. Promoting diversity in the economy can thus advance not only social justice but also economic prosperity.

Despite these positive developments, individuals with disabilities face particular challenges in entrepreneurship. It is crucial to provide appropriate support structures to facilitate the path for these entrepreneurs. This includes not only financial support but also barrier-free access to education, training, and advisory services.

Our project intents to build capacities for teachers and trainers of adults with disabilities, in order to stimulate them contributing to the inclusion of the disabled population with fewer opportunities into the entrepreneurial sector. Through the attractiveness of a widen number of the teachers and trainers, our partnership aims at bridging the existing opportunity’s gap, as well as enhancing the competences of educators towards the provision of knowledge that is able to ensure equal

working opportunities within the labour market for disabled adults. By doing this, each beneficiary is going to be aware regarding the chances and the potentials that each disable person has so as to successfully achieve self-employment and entrepreneurship.

In order to reach the above-mentioned objectives, our project is going to design, develop, and finally pilot a Modular Curriculum tailored to the educational needs of teachers and trainers teaching adults with any physical vulnerability, or impairment, focusing on upskilling them on how to effectively reinforce their competences towards the promotion of selfemployment and entrepreneurship, as well as on building capacities for equal working opportunities, avoiding be treated with prejudice and discrimination. Within modular curriculum will be included supporting tools for the effective organization of empowerment sessions not only for people with disabilities.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities provides an opportunity not only to draw attention to existing challenges but also to highlight the positive contributions and potentials of people with disabilities. Promoting entrepreneurship among people with disabilities is not just an act of justice but also a step towards an inclusive and diverse society where all citizens have the opportunity to realize their dreams.

The theme of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2023 is "Together in Action for the Rescue and Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals for, with, and through Persons with Disabilities."

The final Transnational Partner Meeting of the EPISODE Project took place on the 6th and 7th of November in Athens.

The EPISODE Project aims to build capacities for teachers and trainers of adults with disabilities, thereby fostering their contribution to the inclusion of the disabled population with fewer opportunities in the entrepreneurial sector.

During the meeting, the partners reviewed the project’s progress and discussed the next steps. They have developed six modules for trainers of people with disabilities based on the findings from national reports. These findings result from comprehensive desk research and interviews with adult trainers and teachers of disabled individuals involved in entrepreneurship, conducted by each partner country.

The partners performed the final review of the modules and agreed on how to proceed with the training of trainers. It was decided that the training could be implemented in both physical and online formats. Additionally, the partners established specific timelines for the project’s next phase. In the next three months, trainings will be conducted in each partner country, and feedback will be collected from participants to finalize the modules. It was also agreed that these modules, along with detailed instructions, would be uploaded to various European channels, making them available for use by any interested individuals or organizations.

Follow the EPISODE Project on the partners websites:

Universal Education: https://akmi-international.com/projects/episode/

ÖJAB: https://www.oejab.at/en/education/europe-international/european-educational-works/episode

As of March 2023, ÖJAB has been coordinator supported by LABoom247 and UNIVERSAL EDUCATION of the Erasmus+ funded project EPISODE. The main goal of the project is to build capacities for teachers and trainers of adults with disabilities, in order to stimulate them as well as to contribute to the inclusion of the disabled population with fewer opportunities in the entrepreneurial sector.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The project aims at:

• Developing a modular curriculum tailored to the educational needs of teachers and trainers of adults with any physical vulnerability
• Upskilling teachers and trainers on how to effectively reinforce their competences towards the promotion of self-employment and entrepreneurship of people with disabilities
• Building capacities for equal working opportunities, tackle prejudice and discrimination.

PROJECT TARGET GROUPS

The target groups are:

• Trainers and Teachers of adults with disabilities
• Adult education institutes
• Disabled adults who are interested in upskilling themselves for acquiring entrepreneurial skills