National level assistance for people with autism is insufficient. Thus, the project establishes a model of connecting stakeholders at the local and national level and enhances the competences of teachers, training providers and policy makers to introduce skills for work and life of people with autism in the 21st century in the field of education, training and employment. Through institutional cooperation, the project contributes to establishing a safe, creative, open, interactive, innovative and stimulating environment for people with autism, modernizes teaching approaches and contributes to improving their employment opportunities. Main result is establishment of an effective model of support for employees in education and training, employees of the Employment Service of Slovenia and employers (stakeholders) to improve the conditions for learning and employability of persons with autism at all levels of education and employment.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian project partner made a significant contribution to the transfer of knowledge and good practices. During the study visit to Norway, the participants from Slovenia had the opportunity to see new practices, especially in the field of counseling educational staff, as well as in the field of adapting workplaces for people with autism, which is not yet a regular occurrence in Slovenian companies.
The transfer of knowledge through online training and a final full-day training, which was carried out by the Norwegian project partners in Slovenia was an important contribution not only for the Slovenian project partners, but also for many participants of the training.
Main results at the bilateral level were:
- two study visits realised, several training sessions for multipliers and educational staff conducted;
- a total of 3,070 participants included in the trainings, of which the Norwegian colleagues improved knowledge and understanding in the field of autism and support for children, adolescents and students with autism;
- the Norwegian colleagues' influence on creation of the model of support for educational staff and the manual for the support of persons with autism.
The new knowledge left a lasting impression on the work with people with autism in Slovenia, including with qualified Slovenian multipliers trained by the Norwegian colleagues. Their success in the entire project was irreplaceable, they were an excellent project partner with a lot of expertise in the field of autism.
Through partnership and mutual cooperation, lasting professional and personal ties were forged and a professional network for future connections was developed. At the end of the project, the Slovenian the Norwegian project partners expressed their interest in further cooperation and integration when the opportunity arises.