Toolbox — For Training and Youth Work
All new tools in your inbox: Be the first to know about new tools for learning with our e-mail notifications.
Manual
YOUTH INCLUSION - A practical guide for accessible youth work
A practical guide for making youth work more accessible and inclusive for young people with disabilities, neurodivergence, mental health difficulties and other additional support needs, based on a 32-month pilot in three countries.
Aims of the tool
The tool aims to support youth workers and organisations in making youth work more accessible, inclusive, safe and meaningful for young people with additional support needs. It translates inclusion from a general principle into concrete practice, helping professionals identify and remove barriers, adapt programmes, communication and environments, and strengthen participation, autonomy and equal opportunities.
Description of the tool
This practical methodology was developed through a three-year Erasmus+ cooperation project and is based on experience gained during a 32-month pilot in Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia.
It supports youth workers and organisations working with young people who may need additional, adapted or more intensive support to participate in youth work, including young people with disabilities, neurodivergence, mental health difficulties, trauma, chronic illness, learning-related, communication, sensory or physical access needs.
The guide combines theoretical background with practical guidance, tools and reflection points. It addresses accessibility, inclusive programme design, communication, individual needs assessment, safeguarding, ethical practice, participation and empowerment, group processes, evaluation, organisational readiness, networking and sustainability.
It is based on a human rights-based and person-centred approach and on the social model of disability. Accessibility, participation and safety are treated as elements that should be built into youth work from the beginning rather than added afterwards.
After using the tool, learners should be better able to:
- identify barriers to participation and understand different support needs;
- design more accessible and inclusive youth programmes from the outset;
- adapt communication, learning methods, environments and activities;
- carry out individual needs assessment without reducing young people to diagnoses;
- create safer and more predictable learning environments;
- apply Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning principles;
- support meaningful participation, autonomy and co-creation with young people;
- work more effectively with families, specialists and interdisciplinary teams;
- reflect on ableism, professional attitudes, ethics and safeguarding;
- evaluate accessibility and inclusion and adapt programmes based on feedback;
- advocate for more accessible youth work within organisations and wider professional networks.
The methodology also extends the ETS Competence Model for Youth Workers with a specific competence focusing on accessible and safe learning in inclusive youth work.
The methodology is complemented by the online learning platform available at https://youthinclusion.eu/, where the content is presented in smaller, interactive learning units and additional project resources are available.
Note: Clicking this link takes you to an independent third-party site outside of SALTO TC&RC’s control.
Disclaimer
SALTO cannot be held responsible for the inappropriate use of these training tools. Always adapt training tools to your aims, context, target group and to your own skills! These tools have been used in a variety of formats and situations. Please notify SALTO should you know about the origin of or copyright on this tool.
Tool overview
http://toolbox.salto-youth.net/6047
This tool is for
Youth workers, youth leaders, trainers, educators, mentors, programme coordinators and managers of youth organisations working with diverse groups of young people. It is particularly relevant for professionals and organisations working with, or wishing to include, young people with disabilities, neurodivergence, mental health difficulties and other additional support needs. It can also be useful for volunteers, peer workers, students and other professionals involved in inclusive youth work.
and addresses
Social Inclusion, Disability, Youth Participation
Materials needed:
No special materials are required. The methodology can be used as a self-study resource in PDF format or together with the related online learning platform available at youthinclusion.eu, where the content is presented in smaller, interactive learning units. A computer or mobile device with internet access is therefore recommended. For training use, printed worksheets, reflection questions and other supporting materials from the methodology can also be used.
Duration:
The tool is modular and does not have one fixed completion time. Individual chapters, exercises or reflection activities can be used independently in short learning sessions of approximately 30–90 minutes, while the full methodology is intended as a comprehensive reference and learning resource that can be explored over several sessions. Users can select the sections most relevant to their role and context.
Behind the tool
The tool was created by
Salva Vita Foundation – Hungary Sirius – Centre for Psychological Counselling, Education and Research – Croatia Andragoški zavod Maribor – Ljudska univerza – Slovenia
in the context of
Erasmus+ KA220-YOU Cooperation partnerships in youth (2023-1-HU01-KA220-YOU-000161744)
The tool has been experimented in
32-month long Youth House pilot program
The tool was published to the Toolbox by
Veronika Biro (on 7 October 2026)
and last modified
7 October 2026
Comments
No comments have been posted yet.
If you want to comment on this tool, you need to be signed in with your MySALTO account. Sign in now