The DiGiTool (Digital Inclusive Tool) project trained teachers (regular education / special education), to work with autistic students, using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The project started in March 2021 and ended in Spring 2023, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
Autistic people are often at a disadvantage at schools due to the inaccessibility of the environment and their support needs being unmet. During the COVID-19 lockdown, online education also proved to be inaccessible for a majority of autistic learners. It highlighted the need to develop ICT inclusive education across Europe.
DiGiTool trained up to 90 professionals in the area of education, trying to cover as many primary and secondary schools as possible in each participating country.
Project’s objectives were:
- Increased awareness in general across Europe about the need for the investment in inclusive ICT literacy
- Increased the awareness of the educational community about the need for capacity building in terms of inclusive ICT in education
- Increased awareness of organisations in the area of disability to promote ICT literacy
- Increased the number of schools trained to work with autistic students and a range of ICT resources that the project will generate
- Impact at the level of public policies
Autisme-Europe’s role
Autism-Europe took part in all activities, but it was specifically responsible for the dissemination of the project results across Europe, as well as making contacts with EU policy-makers. Autism-Europe also organised the project’s final conference at the European Parliament at the end of May 2023.
More about the Erasmus+ Programme
Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. It has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion. The 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.