VAPETVIP

Virtual Academy for Professionals in Education and Training of Visually Impaired People

The main goal of the “Virtual Academy for Professional in Education and Training of Visually Impaired People” (VAPET-VIP) project is to contribute to the modernisation of the education and training systems used in organisations working in the field of visual impairment. It focuses directly on the organisations’ professional bodies, bridging a deficiency in the specific training available in this area in many of the participating countries, while, at the same time, promoting the exchange of experience and know-how between different types of organisations involved in education, training and working with youth in subjects which are common and transferrable to all types of interventions with people who are blind or with vision impairment.

The project aims to widen the knowledge of these professionals by using digital technologies in rehabilitation services, educational training programmes and vocational education and training (VET) of people who are blind or have vision impairment.

This goal is to be achieved through the organisation of every aspect in the development of two online training courses, one about “Coaching Orientation and Mobility” and the other about “Developing Soft Skills of Visually Impaired People “, focusing on aspects from the use of the LMS, curricula, content, certification, methods of administration and training support, etc – all contributing to the creation of a Virtual Academy.

The aim of the partnership is to create a standard resource for the various rehabilitation services for people with vision impairment in Europe and to present a model of education, training and rehabilitation services for visually impaired people in all EU countries. During the project, existing curricula at both national and EU levels will be observed, based on which new curricula will be developed, tested, evaluated and improved through the implementation of pilot training actions based on recognised material. Special attention will be given to developing a methodology and guidance for Web Based Training focusing on the needs of visually impaired trainers.

Project partners:

• Fundação Raquel e Martin Sain (Coordinator) (PT)
• National Rehabilitation Centre for Blind (BG)
• Future 21st Century Foundation (BG)
• Mutualité Française Anjou-Mayenne (FR)
• Berufsförderungswek Düren (DE)
• National Institute for the Blind (IS)
• Istituto Rittmeyer (IT)
• Fundacion Aspaym Castilla y Leon (ES)

Project Results

Course Manuals, in English:

• Increasing Knowledge about Orientation and Mobility
• Supporting Elderly Visually Impaired People
• Activities for Improving Soft-Skills of Visually Impaired Adults

Course Manuals, in other Languages:

• Bulgarian
• French
• German
• Icelandic
• Italian
• Portuguese
• Spanish