Building a toolkit that starts with the people who use it
Most of us don’t think about how much of our daily life now happens on a screen. Applying for a job, joining a class, reading the news and booking a doctor’s appointment all begin with a device. For a young person with a visual impairment, that can mean a door that opens for some people and stays shut for others.
That is why the Inclusive Horizons consortium decided to take on this challenge. We joined forces as partners from Romania, Poland, Greece, Belgium and Spain, each bringing its own expertise in youth work, education, and supporting people with sensory and physical impairments. Together we are building a toolkit that aims to become a one-stop shop: a single, trustworthy place where young people, youth workers and families can find the tools they need to overcome at least some of the challenges of everyday life.
Why we are doing this
Across Europe, young people with physical and sensory impairments, and especially those with visual impairments, often find that good assistive technology exists but is hard to find, hard to trust and hard to learn. Information is scattered. Some tools are expensive, others are poorly tested, and many are only available in one language. Youth workers and educators want to help, but they rarely have a reliable place to start.
We wanted to change that. Instead of guessing what young people need, we began by asking them. Partners in Poland, Spain, Belgium, Greece and Romania have been talking with young people and the people who support them, and the toolkit is built around what they told us.
Who it is for
First, young people with visual and other sensory or physical impairments, who should be able to learn, communicate and work on equal terms. Second, the youth workers and educators who support them and need practical, tested tools they can put to use straight away. Third, the families and organisations around them, who often carry much of this journey.
What it will be
The toolkit is a growing collection of digital tools and guidance, chosen carefully and explained clearly. It will include at least ten tools, including AI-powered applications, Braille-compatible resources, audio guides and video tutorials with subtitles and sign language. Where we can, we are prioritising free and open-source tools, because cost should never decide who gets to take part.
Why usability matters
A tool that is “accessible” on paper but frustrating in practice isn’t much use. So the toolkit itself has to be accessible: screen-reader friendly, available in large print and in Braille versions, and translated into our partners’ languages. We are testing it with the people it is meant for. Views International, which works with visually impaired young people, is testing and evaluating how well it works, and every partner is running co-design workshops with both young people and youth workers. If something doesn’t work for them, we change it.
How you can help
You don’t have to be an expert to support this work.
- Try it and tell us what you think. Honest feedback from real users is the most valuable thing we can receive.
- Suggest a tool. If there is an app, device or resource that has made a difference to you or to someone you support, we’d like to hear about it.
- Share it. Pass it on to a school, a youth group, a family or an employer who might benefit.
- Join a workshop if you are a young person, youth worker or educator in one of our partner countries.
- Follow our progress on our channels and help spread the word. [add links]
When will it be ready?
We are working towards a complete toolkit by early 2027. We will share updates and early versions along the way, because we want you to help shape it before it is finished.
Digital inclusion shouldn’t be a privilege. It should be at the heart of every service and product. Help us bring that change one step closer.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
