Access to adult education is a key factor for inclusion. However, not everyone has got equal access to adult education. The existing comparative data shows that people with disabilities are the group with the lowest rates of participation in post- and upper secondary educational settings, with the evident consequences on employment. Even in the EU Action Plan on Adult Learning (“It is always a good time to learn”) people with disabilities are seen as one of the most disadvantaged groups due to their low participation in adult education.
Objectives
The objectives of the AEMA Network are to:
• Contribute to an increased participation rate of people with disabilities in Adult Education.
• Increase the number of Adult Education providers who make a publicly visible commitment to increasing Accessibility in their own organisations.
• Achieve transparency and a shared understanding of Quality in a, up to date, non-regulated emerging, business sector and market (Experts and Services to test and increase Accessibility).
• Spread Information of Good Practice and provide all interested stakeholders with a “State of the Art” One Stop Information Portal.
• Ensure a continuous and wide dissemination of activities and results of the AEMA Network through newsletters and leaflets, participation at relevant seminars and conferences, the AEMA Portal and national Networking Meetings open to all interested stakeholders.
• Develop sustainable national and EU-Networks that are founded on the basis of Trust and a shared of commitment of moving the Accessibility Agenda further.
Target groups
The Main Target Groups of the AEMA-Network, which shall be reached and involved through the projects Consultation, Networking, Dissemination and Exploitation activities are
• Adult education providers
• Trainers in Adult education
• People with disabilities
• Organisations of and for people with disabilities
• Experts on accessibility
• Governmental organisations and funding bodies
• Other interested stakeholder
Outcomes
- The main outcome is a One-Stop Information portal (AEMAnet.eu). Adult education providers and experts on accessibility are able to use an electronic Self-Assessment system to rate either their level of achievement or degree of competencies. It supports people with disabilities to identify adult education providers, which meet their specific accessibility needs.
- A system for the Recognition of Achievements and Competencies through the Issuing of Accessibility Quality and Competency Badges, to build the organisational structure for a One-Stop Accreditation and Support Service (Accessibility Check-Points), backed up by sustainable national Trust Networks, and to ensure sustainable exploitation of project results by elaborating the foundation for a European Quality Network
- A list of Accessibility Criteria based on the real life perspectives of people with disabilities and the achievements of Adult Education Providers.
- A Competency Catalogue that clearly reflects what Experts on Accessibility should be able to do in order to support Accessibility on the different Accessibility Domains.
- A qualitative and comprehensive “Accessibility Framework”, which include Self Assessment Tools and corresponding Online Applications for Adult Education Providers and Experts on Accessibility.
Partners
Coordinator: Queraum. cultural and social research (AT)
Consortium:
- Innovia – Service und Beratung zur Chancengleichheit gem. GmbH (AT)
- Pau Education S.L. (ES)
- EAEA – European Association for the Education of Adults (BE)
- Folksuniversitetet, Kursverksamheten vid Lunds Universitet (SE)
- Julie Lunt Ltd. (UK)
- Adpios – Association de Préfiguation de l’Internet of Subjects(FR)
- Racio human capital development company, Ltd.(SI)
- Rytmus (CZ)
- Dia Sport Association(BG)
- Symbiosis Foundation(HU)
- ISIS (DE)