Training modules for young people with disabilities and their trainers

Aims of the tool

The Promoting the Democratic Participation of Young People with Disabilities training program aims to provide individuals with disabilities with tools and knowledge to feel more confident in all democratic processes, there by increasing their participation.

Description of the tool

Module 1 is dedicated to fostering a comprehensive understanding of human and civil rights specifically tailored to individuals with disabilities. It delves into the complex matrix of international, European and national legal frameworks that exist to safeguard the rights of young people facing disabilities. Within this context, it is also committed to unearthing both the common challenges and good practices in guaranteeing the democratic rights of young people with disabilities.

This module aims to equip participants with the knowledge and insights needed to advocate for inclusivity and equal opportunities within society, and it is divided into three major chapters:
1.Introduction to Human and Civil Rights
2.International and National Legal Framework
3.Challenges and Good Practices

Module 2 reflects on democracy and emphasises the importance of participation in the political life, especially for those who have disabilities.

The module is divided into four main chapters:
1.Democracy
2.Democratic Participation in the Political Life
3.International Human Rights Standards on the Right to Vote
4.Obstacles to Disabled People Participating in Politics

Module 3 intends to explain and analyse the creation and development of the main European democratic values. This will be done by going through the main events and treaties that have characterised the development of the European Union as we know it today. After this, the module will expose all the values which have been created during the development of the EU and which serve as a foundation of the EU.

So, this module is divided into three main parts:
1.The Main European Democratic Treaties
2.The Main European Democratic Values
3.The European Priorities

Module 4 focuses on the importance of having your own voice, providing tools so that young people can work on making conscious and informed decisions. This capacity is fundamental for people with disabilities to be able to participate in democratic and social life autonomously, valuing their abilities, interests, and opinions, which contributes to their self-esteem and quality of life.

This module is divided into five major chapters, the last being more practical as a set of tools are made available that will allow young people to go through all phases of the decision-making process:
1.Types of Decisions and Phases of Decision-Making Process
2.Importance of Having a Voice and Making Your Own Choices
3.Personal Competences and Self-Determination
4.Strategies for Decision-Making
5.How to Make Good Decisions

The purpose of the module 5 is to increase the social and emotional competences of young people with intellectual, psychosocial, and developmental disorders in communication.

This module focuses on the importance of emotional-social education, introduces management, communication styles, and different times of conflict and it is divided into three main sections:
1.Development of Social-Emotional Competencies
2.Communication Styles
3.Conflict Management

At the end of each of the five modules, is it possible to find a questionnaire to assess whether the competences have been effectively acquired, as well as two session plans (of an hour and a half each) so that professionals working with (and for) these young people can effectively implement the proposed content.

Module 6 differs from the previous ones in that it is more practical. It describes various activities related to the previous five chapters, the aim of which is to work collaboratively on the democratic participation of people with disabilities.