EASY
Summary of the project
Easy – Employability for AutiStic Youth, is a European Erasmus Plus project with a duration of 24 months that aims to enhance the labour market participation of people with disabilities. After thorough research for the project design, the partnership realised that the problem of unemployment of people with disabilities plagues many countries in Europe. In particular, in countries such as Italy and Belgium 80% of people with autism are unemployed, while in Greece and Cyprus a high percentage of 83.7% of people with autism are condemned to unemployment. Through the project, efforts are being made to provide appropriate training tools to trainers working in the youth sector in order to cultivate the necessary skills in young people with autism that will support them in finding a position in the future. The training material will include non-formal education activities and will be adapted to the needs of people with autism.
TARGET GROUPS
- Youth Workers
- Autistic Youth
- Participating Organisations Staff
PROJECT’S OBJECTIVES
The EASY project aims to:
- Improve the participating organisations’ capacity to support autistic people’s competitiveness and employability, in their existing activities, within their target group and in the general public
- Increase youth workers’ understanding of the diverse abilities of their learners and specifically the autistic ones in their learning groups
- Increase autistic youth’s level of employability and help them claim their rightful place in the local, national and European workforce
- Increase the visibility of the project and multiply its impact, key messages and results
W4TEX
Project Results
Each chapter of the guide will be 5 pages long. It will include information about the autistic experience, tailored tools to support their improvement and resources for further development.The guide will be 30 pages long with 5 chapters and a 3 page introduction to job-seeking with autism.
The Activity Workbook for youth workers is designed to aid in the development of employability skills tailored to autistic youth. It comprises five chapters, each containing 10 activities focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, self-management, teamwork, and communication. These skills were selected based on extensive research, including insights from the World Economic Forum’s 2020 report, which identifies them as the most in-demand employability skills by 2025. Each activity offers detailed instructions, required materials, and theoretical background on the learning methods employed, catering to the learning preferences of autistic learners. With approximately 150 pages, the workbook serves as a comprehensive resource for youth workers to facilitate the development of crucial employability skills among autistic youth.
Αn online simulator that will be based on a workplace scenario. Through questions, young autistic people will be able to assess their job-seeking abilities and their employability skills.
It will be a mobile app that serves as an information and referral platform for internships, mobilities, and employment opportunities at the EU level for autistic youth. This will allow youth to become aware of different job opportunities accessible to them in the EU. The app will feature the following tabs: Home, Search, Opportunities, Profiles, Peer Support, Settings, and Help.
The Partnership
LUISS LIBERA UNIVERSITA INTERNAZIONALE DEGLI STUDI SOCIALI GUIDO CARLI – coordinator, Italy
LUISS Guido Carli is a university internationally recognised for its excellence and innovation in the fields of Management and Social Sciences. It has four departments and four faculties offering international education to students from all backgrounds. Founded in 1986, it sponsors the LUISS Alumni Association (LAA) which supports the integration of students and manages a network of former students and professionals. The university produces research in the social sciences and has the Observatory for Gender & Inclusion and Democracy (OGID). LUISS Guido Carli University through the Business School manages various learning and research activities in the field of human resources and specializes in personalized training programs.Finally, it offers a fundamental contribution to the transfer of specialized competences both to companies in terms of human resources management focusing on young people and adults with autism and to the development of a human resources management system focused on young people and adults with autism or epilepsy on skills for appropriate access to workplaces in enterprises.
KAINOTOMIA & SIA EE – partner, Greece
“KAINOTOMIA” is a Lifelong Learning Centre (K.DI.VI.M) in Greece, which is active in the field of Vocational Education and Training. KAINOTOMIA has implemented more than 60 continuing vocational training programmes for unemployed people, teachers of all levels of education, higher education students, employees/self-employed and vulnerable social groups, for the development of professional opportunities and their promotion and integration into the labour market and society in general, through innovative programmes. “KAINOTOMIA” provides consultancy services to enterprises and support and advisory services to trainees to facilitate their (re)entry into the labour market. “KAINOTOMIA” has participated in several national projects, offering a high degree of expertise in training in modern fields, combining them with those that are in high demand in the labour market to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes of trainees for their integration into the labour market. Furthermore, “KAINOTOMIA” participates in co-funded national programmes called “local development and entrepreneurship projects for unemployed people based on specific local needs and development potential”.
AUTISME-EUROPE AISBL – partner, Belgium
Autism-Europe (AE) is an international non-profit association established in 1983 and recognised under Belgian law. AE is comprised of almost 90 member associations in 40 countries (including 26 member states) and represents an estimated 7 million autistic people and their families throughout Europe. Self-advocates and families play a central role in the organisation. AE is recognised by European institutions as a key representative network in Europe of autistic people and their families. AE’s work is based on the principles of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). AE’s main objectives are to: Ensure full implementation and respect of the rights and the effective participation of people with disabilities; Promote a rights and evidence-based approach to autism working together with people with autism, their families, professionals and decision-makers; Encourage research on autism, prevalence studies and exchange of best practices and evidence-based interventions for children with autism, as well as support and habilitation services for adults; Autism-Europe promotes the right to education, training and employment. It has been achieved through advocacy activities, capacity-building and exchange of best practices as well through its involvement in various European projects. Indeed, access to employment and education is a fundamental right, enshrined in the United Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
EFTOPIA LTD – partner, Cyprus
Eftopia is dedicated to offering comprehensive solutions to individuals and families of individuals with autism in Cyprus. Through advocacy, education, research, tools, awareness, and hope, Eftopia address the specific needs of the autism community. Their commitment involves advocating for policy changes, providing education and training opportunities, fostering research, and promoting understanding and compassion. Eftopia’s recent focus is on creating viable employment opportunities for individuals with autism, demonstrated through initiatives like the Spectrum Fair in Limassol, which bridges the gap between the labor market and individuals with autism.
STOWARZYSZENIE CENTRUM WSPIERANIA EDUKACJI I PRZEDSIEBIORCZOSCI – partner, Poland
CWEP works in the youth sector and works with businesses, universities, schools, enterprises, and educational institutions acting as collaborating partners. CWEP has experience in organizing complex support for people at different stages of their lives, from childhood to old age. It promotes entrepreneurship among young people in school, as well as among those already running their own businesses. In addition, CWEP has IT skills and experience in creating various IT solutions: websites, e-learning platforms and web applications. CWEP is also involved in increasing digital competences and providing assessment solutions to better address knowledge gaps in low-skilled and sensitive sectors.
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Co-funded by the European Union
