RURAAC : Alternative Augmented Communication for rural areas
The RURAAC project aims to promote the social inclusion of people with intellectual disability in rural areas through augmentative alternative communication (AAC) in outdoor experiences and the use of local natural assets.
Аugmentative alternative communication (AAC) is an approach that aims to offer an alternative mode of communication through simplified language to those who risk being excluded from communication because of their condition. ACC and its application in rural areas is the main focus of the RURAAC project.
The project is implemented in 3 European Countries by 4 project partners, by combining their experience in a complementary way. We are proud to be partnering with Trekkify /Italy/, Cooperativa Sociale GEA Onlus /Italy/, and Latvijas Autisma apvieniba /Latvia/.
More specifically through the project we will be working for:
– The development of professional competences of educators working with adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) and educators working in the field of outdoor education on the topic AAC. They will develop new knowledge, skills and competences to facilitate inclusive educational activities.
– The promotion of the empowerment of PID in rural areas through a co-design process aimed at producing AAC materials to promote local natural assets.
– Dissemination of project results to local communities in rural areas, inviting them to use AAC in their activities to promote natural heritage.
During the RURAAC project the following results will be achieved and accessible to the partners and everyone interested in it:
-
Open source training modules for educators on AAC with a specific focus on the promotion of natural assets.
-
PQHFB will be hosting an AAC transnational training course for educators of adults with ID and educators promoting inclusive outdoor activities.
-
Partners will develop communication material in CAA for the promotion of local natural assets (e.g. short guides, signs, etc.)
-
3 promotion events will be organized in Bulgaria, Italy, and Latvia.
The RURAAC project is possible thanks to the support of the Erasmus+ Program and the European Commission.
Our organization hosted the international training ‘’Augmented Alternative Communication for Rural Areas’’ for educators in Sofia, Bulgaria. The training aimed to test and build upon the knowledge and tools of the RURAAC Booklet, all part of the RURAAC Project.
During the training members of the partner organizations Trekkify /Italy/, Cooperativa Sociale GEA Onlus /Italy/, and Latvijas Autisma apvieniba /Latvia/ explored:
-
What is effective communication with people with intellectual disabilities?
-
Types of augmented alternative communication and their application
-
The importance of assessing the needs of people with intellectual disabilities
-
Promotion of natural heritage with the help of augmented alternative communication for people with intellectual disabilities
-
Co-designing outdoor activities with people with intellectual disabilities
RURAAC Booklet is now available: learn how to use augmented alternative communication for promotion of natural heritage
The Booklet - Training modules on Alternative Augmentative Communication for natural heritage was developed through cooperation between the partner organizations to the RURAAC project.
The RURAAC Booklet will give you the most important information about effective communication with individuals with intellectual disabilities. In the Booklet you can find:
-
Effective communication with individuals with intellectual disability
-
Introduction to augmentative alternative communication (AAC)
-
Initial assessment of skills for access to AAC tools
-
How to promote the natural heritage: A few examples on how to use AAC tools in outdoor settings
-
Co-designing outdoor activities with people with intellectual disability.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Erasmus+ National Agency - INDIRE. Neither the European Union nor INDIRE can be held responsible for them. Project RURAAC Nr.2023-1-IT02-KA210-ADU-000152145