Between 19 and 23 September, colleagues from Diagrama Foundation met their Erasmus funded E-Profid project partners in Italy.

This was the third time the project partners had met to assess how their project was developing and to participate in a mix of lectures, discussions and practical exercises that ensured all the attendees had the opportunity to fully engage with the training and explore and share their views.

The E-Profid project is built on a foundation of innovation and transfer of good practice with the organisations working together to design tools and methods to change the public's perception, by promoting ability, rather than accepting disability. The training for the project members was focused on ‘professional identity and digital communication tools’, the basis of the E-Profid Erasmus project.

Over the five days, the training explored:
• The barriers that stop people with disabilities taking part in work, social and political institutions.
• The history and evolution of social policies and legislation that promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities.
• The difference between ‘equality’ and ‘equity’ – promoting truly fair access to opportunities for everyone, taking into consideration their individual needs and abilities.
• Professional identity – and what it means for staff working to support people with disabilities.
• Working with people with disabilities - resources, strategies, limits.

Helen Dean, Head of Projects & Business Development, Diagrama Foundation said, “The training took place at the modern and friendly Medical School campus of the University of Salerno, in the town of Baronissi. The agenda allowed us to share learning and experience with people from Italy, Belgium and Spain, opened our eyes to different ways of supporting people with learning disabilities and gave us important time to reflect on our own practices. The training will help Diagrama staff think about how they can support the people we work with who have disabilities, to gain the work and volunteering opportunities they want to pursue in their life.”

In the final stage of the E-Profid project, representatives from Belgium, Italy and Spain will meet in Kent during December when the group will agree the project recommendations to change perceptions of disability and work towards integrating everyone into the community, irrespective of their ability.

To find out more about the E-Profid project visit: www.diagramafoundation.org.uk/european-projects

About the European Union Erasmus Plus Programme
Erasmus Plus is a European Lifelong Learning Programme designed to give access to new skills, experiences, and opportunities to adults of all ages and from all backgrounds. It is mostly known as a Higher Education study option, but Erasmus Plus offers scope for broadening horizons and opening learning opportunities across Europe for adults of all ages, working alongside people from other countries.
Find out more: www.ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/node_en

About the E-Profid Participants
UK – The Diagrama Foundation www.diagramafoundation.org.uk
Italy - University of Salerno www.unisa.it
Belgium - Groep Ubuntu, Kortrijk www.groepubuntu.org
Spain - Fundacion Diagrama Psicosocial, Murcia www.fundaciondiagrama.es