Empower adults with disabilities, particularly deaf people, by providing innovative and accessible educational tools for social entrepreneurship and active participation in society.

Context

People with disabilities face numerous barriers in accessing the labour market, including digital barriers and lack of adequate training opportunities. Across the EU, employment inclusion remains a challenge, with employment rates below 50 per cent for people with disabilities compared to 75.8 per cent for people without disabilities. People who are deaf or hard of hearing, in particular, face additional difficulties due to the lack of accessible training resources, such as sign language materials, subtitles or inclusive digital tools. AccessibleMarket fits into this context, responding to the educational needs of this segment of the population through artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools and innovative teaching methodologies, including automatic sign language translations and other accessibility support technologies.

Objectives

• Developing and implementing digital and accessible educational materials to improve the digital and entrepreneurial skills of people with disabilities, particularly people with hearing disabilities.
• Creating an inclusive digital environment, supported by AI tools, to facilitate learning.
• Involving VET educators and stakeholders in the development and validation process of teaching materials.
• Promoting greater participation of people with disabilities, especially people with hearing disabilities, in the digital economy and social entrepreneurship.

The project is aimed at the following groups:

• Adults with disabilities, particularly deaf people, to support them in acquiring digital and entrepreneurial skills.
• VET educators and trainers, to improve their teaching skills with inclusive methodologies.
• VET and disability advocacy stakeholders to ensure the dissemination and sustainability of the project.

Activities

• Analysis of the context and needs of people with disabilities in terms of access to the labour market and e-skills.
• Creation of digital educational materials and AI tools, such as sign language translation and automated subtitles.
• Validation of training materials through workshops with educators and people with disabilities.
• Implementation and adaptation of teaching resources, with pilot testing in different educational contexts.
• Dissemination and communication through events, conferences and digital platforms ensure impact and sustainability.

Resources

• Training Curriculum
• Online AI-Enhanced Training Toolkit
• Implementation Handbook

Impact

• Increased employability opportunities for people with disabilities, in particular deaf and hard of hearing people, through the strengthening of digital and entrepreneurial skills.
• Digital accessibility for people with disabilities introducing inclusive AI tools in vocational education.
• Increased awareness and sensitisation on the issues digital inclusion, social entrepreneurship and the specific challenges of people with disabilities, with a focus on people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Development of a network of stakeholders committed to promoting accessibility, inclusive training and empowerment of people with disabilities in the labour market.

Partners

• Gminny Ośrodek Kultury w Wiśniowej Górze (Poland) – Project Coordinator
• Windmill (Cyprus)
• CESIE ENTE OF THE THIRD SECTOR (Italy)
• OTB Europe (Portugal)