Skill-Sharing

Abstract

The thematic-content framework of the project is to explore ways in which youth and young adults with disabilities can be supported in passing on their skills. In doing so, the perception of one’s own digital competencies is to be built up and further developed in a strength-oriented manner, and these competencies are to be transmitted to other people who do not yet have them. In this way, the self-confidence, self-esteem and communication skills of the young people concerned should also be developed and support provided for career orientation. In the course of the research project, approaches, technologies and forms of interaction are to be described and tested which support this transfer so that this can take place structurally and possibly institutionally. Both the adolescents and young adults will benefit, as the structured transfer can promote self-esteem and communication skills, and the recipients, whose digital skills will be strengthened.

Outcome Summary

After the conclusion of the Skill-Sharing project, we have noticed that there is still a great need for action in the support of young people with disabilities, not only in Austria but also internationally. There are many well-established projects that mainly offer help to those affected without imparting knowledge to enable them to help themselves. Solutions should be developed and implemented for this purpose. Since the target group of young people with disabilities is not a homogeneous one and therefore very different conditions and challenges arise, it is relatively complex to find common ground to develop and offer uniform holistic help. Platforms make a lot of things possible. Playful access is the other aspect that could be very helpful in this context. Therefore, it is necessary to approach this topic with well-founded research questions and approaches and to develop and evaluate relevant and, above all, feasible solutions in a participatory manner through the participation and involvement of those affected and all other supporters.

Another project - based on the findings and preliminary work of the Skill-Sharing project - will try to answer the open questions, generate new approaches and models as well as implement and evaluate them to offer better support for young people with disabilities. This can help not only those affected but also their families and institutions that work with and support those affected. This help is still pending!