When did you first introduce the innovation?
Less than 12 months ago
Please describe the innovation you have developed
An e-learning package has been develop to provide training for teachers, families, carers and practitioners that work with people with learning disability, autism spectrum conditions and or have mental health problems. This package is open to everyone, and provides free access in French, English, Spanish and Romanian. The training provides: a generic module about people with learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions and/or mental health problems and three specialised modules each one focussing on a specific age group, covering the person’s developmental steps and following a life course approach (0-3 years, 4-16 years and 16+ years) together with various aspects concerning the inclusion and participation of individuals in all areas of life. The training utilises case studies throughout as supportive and reflective learning tools and tutoring is available, including a learners guide and FAQ section.
The training programme is available at www.elesi.eu
The content of each module is similar to 100 hours of study. The hours required to complete each module may vary depending upon the level of knowledge of the learner prior to commencement of the training.
The project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
What prompted you to develop this innovation?
The distance learning package: eLeSI ‘e-learning for Social Inclusion’ originated from the observation of a lack of training for many practitioners and support staff in Europe and beyond working with children and adults with learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions and/or mental health problems.
eLeSI was conceived by a consortium of 4 Universities (University of Chester, University of Mons – Belgium, University of Fribourg – Switzerland and INS HEA – France) together with practitioners and parent representatives, supported by three partner associations (Foundation des Amis de l’Atelier – France, Alternativa 2003 Association – Romania, Miwadagbe Association – Benin) which have experience of working with children and adults with varying disabilities and their families.
In your view, what is it about this innovation that makes it different/important?
The training facilitates the acquisition of knowledge regarding the origin and possible consequences of disabilities and/or disorders. It helps people learn about the factors which may support, or conversely impede, social inclusion. The training additionally directs people to consider the adoption of positive, person centred attitudes and approaches in order to provide individualised support. The training package may also support people to change their perception of those who have individual differences or disabilities.
To what extent does your innovation make use of existing approaches, resources or technologies?
The innovation is an on-line distance learning package available globally wherever internet access is available.
To what degree has this innovation led to changes in education or clinical practice?
eLeSI is currently in the second test phase and will go ‘live’ at the end of September 15. Initial feedback from the testers has been positive, but later evaluations will prove invaluable to gauge impact.
What evidence do you have of the impact of the innovation?
eLeSI is currently in the second test phase and will go ‘live’ at the end of September 15. Initial feedback from the testers has been positive, but later evaluations will prove invaluable to gauge impact.
To what degree has the innovation been disseminated in your organisation or elsewhere?
It has been disseminated globally via the website (www.elesi.eu) which will be fully live from end of September 2015.
It was presented at the Nurse Education Today (NET) conference dissemination planned on September 9th 2015.
The official launch of the project is the 18th September 2015, UNESCO, Paris.
Please provide details of any plans you have to disseminate the innovation in the future.
It is anticipated that the following will occur;
- Continuation and support of the website.
- Futher conference presentation.
- Peer reviewed journal publication.
- Press releases following launch.