As part of the ALTFuture project in Romania, we organised an activity with the young people of La Baraka. Around fifteen participants joined us for a morning filled with reflection, discussion, and shared experiences.

We began with the activity “The Rainbow of Values”. The young people were invited to reflect on the values that matter most to them and represent them through a drawing. The longer the line, the more important the value; the thicker the line, the more energy it requires in their daily lives. Using paper and coloured markers, each participant created their own rainbow of values. They were then asked to imagine and draw how their values might look in ten years’ time.

We then continued with an activity based on the concept of Ikigai. Often translated as “reason for being” or “purpose in life”, Ikigai is a Japanese philosophy that encourages reflection on what gives meaning to our lives. Through a series of questions and circles to complete, the young people explored their passions, motivations and the elements they consider essential to their personal fulfilment.

The morning was both enriching and inspiring, offering many opportunities for discussion, self-reflection and discovery. We shared a convivial moment in a warm, respectful and supportive atmosphere.

A big thank you to all the participants for their enthusiasm, openness and active involvement throughout the workshop!

How accessible are digital learning tools and employment opportunities for young people with visual or hearing impairments in Belgium? What barriers still exist, and what does reasonable accommodation and meaningful support truly look like?

These are some of the questions behind Inclusive Horizons (InHo), a European Erasmus+ project bringing together partners from Belgium, Greece, Poland, Spain, and Romania to promote more inclusive and accessible pathways in education and employment.

As part of the Belgian research phase coordinated by VIEWS International, we are currently inviting young people aged 15 to 30 with visual or hearing impairments to participate in a short anonymous questionnaire.

The survey explores experiences related to digital learning, accessibility, employability, and inclusion, with the aim of identifying both existing barriers and practical solutions.

The results will contribute to research reports and help shape future accessibility tools and resources developed within the project.

The questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and participation is entirely voluntary and anonymous.

Deadline: 20 June

English version

Version française

If you know someone who may be interested, we warmly encourage you to share this opportunity!

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FR

Contribuez à améliorer l’accessibilité et l’inclusion des jeunes en situation de handicap sensoriel

Dans quelle mesure les outils numériques d’apprentissage et les opportunités professionnelles sont-ils réellement accessibles aux jeunes en situation de handicap visuel ou auditif en Belgique ? Quels obstacles persistent encore aujourd’hui, et à quoi ressemblent concrètement des aménagements raisonnables et un accompagnement réellement inclusif ?

Ce sont quelques-unes des questions au cœur du projet Inclusive Horizons (InHo), un projet européen Erasmus+ réunissant des partenaires en Belgique, en Grèce, en Pologne, en Espagne et en Roumanie afin de promouvoir des parcours plus inclusifs et accessibles dans les domaines de l’éducation et de l’emploi.

Dans le cadre de la phase de recherche menée en Belgique par VIEWS International, nous invitons actuellement les jeunes âgés de 15 à 30 ans en situation de handicap visuel ou auditif à participer à un court questionnaire anonyme.

L’enquête porte sur les expériences liées à l’apprentissage numérique, à l’accessibilité, à l’employabilité et à l’inclusion, dans le but d’identifier à la fois les obstacles existants et des solutions concrètes.

Les résultats contribueront à des rapports de recherche et au développement d’outils et de ressources pratiques en matière d’accessibilité dans le cadre du projet.

Le questionnaire prend environ 10 minutes et la participation est entièrement volontaire et anonyme.

Date limite : 20 juin

Version française

English Version

Si vous connaissez des personnes susceptibles d’être intéressées, n’hésitez pas à partager cette opportunité autour de vous!

The goal is to better understand the challenges, needs, and good practices linked to inclusive education, digital accessibility, employability, and the transition from education to the labour market.

These exchanges will directly contribute to the research phase of the project and support the development of practical tools and recommendations aimed at fostering more accessible and inclusive learning and professional environments.

We are currently looking for:

• educators,
• youth workers,
• inclusion professionals,
• guidance counsellors,
• and organizations supporting young people with visual or hearing impairments.

The sessions can take place online or in person and generally last between 40 and 60 minutes.

If you would like to participate, or if you know professionals who may be interested, we would be very happy to hear from you. Contact us at office@viewsinternational.eu!

By sharing experiences and perspectives, participants will help contribute to a broader reflection on how to make educational and professional pathways more accessible for all.

Appel à participation: Entretiens et focus groups sur l’inclusion et l’accessibilité

Dans le cadre du projet Erasmus+ Inclusive Horizons (InHo), VIEWS International organise actuellement en Belgique une série d’entretiens et de focus groups réunissant des éducateurs, travailleurs de jeunesse, professionnels et acteurs impliqués auprès de jeunes en situation de handicap visuel ou auditif.

L’objectif est de mieux comprendre les défis, les besoins et les bonnes pratiques liés à l’éducation inclusive, à l’accessibilité numérique, à l’employabilité ainsi qu’à la transition entre le milieu scolaire et le monde du travail.

Ces échanges contribueront directement à la phase de recherche du projet et soutiendront le développement d’outils pratiques et de recommandations visant à favoriser des environnements éducatifs et professionnels plus accessibles et inclusifs.

Nous recherchons actuellement :

• des éducateurs et éducatrices,
• des travailleurs et travailleuses de jeunesse,
• des professionnel·les de l’inclusion,
• des conseiller·ères en orientation,
• ainsi que des structures accompagnant des jeunes en situation de handicap visuel ou auditif.

Les rencontres peuvent se dérouler en ligne ou en présentiel et durent généralement entre 40 et 60 minutes.

Si vous souhaitez participer, ou si vous connaissez des professionnel·les susceptibles d’être intéressé·es, nous serions ravis d’échanger avec vous. Contactez-nous à office@viewsinternational.eu!

En partageant leurs expériences et perspectives, les participant·es contribueront à une réflexion collective sur la manière de rendre les parcours éducatifs et professionnels plus accessibles à toutes et tous.

On April 4th, Carmen, Selma, Silviu, and I headed to CPSE Liège for a day that went far beyond a standard awareness session. As an ESC volunteer, I’m used to new experiences, but this session was special. We weren’t just there to talk; we were there to bridge the gap between “theory” and “reality” for the people who are shaping and will shape the next generation of our community: social studies students, educators and youth workers. The energy was infectious from the start. We didn’t just show them inclusive tools; we put them to work. This hands-on approach is vital because true inclusion starts with understanding the lived experience.

• Exploring Tactile Play: It was eye-opening to watch the students realize how a simple game changes when you rely on touch rather than sight.
• Navigating the Streets: We took the training outside, teaching the “human guide” method and white cane techniques. There is a profound shift in perspective that happens when you have to trust a partner to navigate the sidewalk (it builds a level of empathy that a textbook simply can’t provide).

The most important part of my day was the incredible exchange we had with the participants! We talked and exposed the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) opportunities for young people and the participants had so many questions about our projects, especially regarding my and Silviu’s journey as volunteers. By sharing our path we showed them that international opportunities are for everyone! Often, young people with disabilities or fewer opportunities feel that traveling abroad or volunteering in another country is a closed door – not only because of physical barriers but also due to socio-economic ones. They may never even apply because they don’t believe these programs are “for them”. But educators, teachers, youth workers are the frontline to open them! By sharing the possibilities to the youth, you aren’t just giving them a brochure: you are giving them the tools to gain independence, confidence, and be part of a global community they might never have dreamed of reaching!

Sofia Mangiaterra

Our journey started with an introductory seminar designed to melt the ice. On the very first night, we held the International Night, a vibrant celebration of European diversity. Standing with the Belgian team, I presented local specialties while tasting flavors from our neighbors in Germany, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. 

Of course, it quickly turned into a wonderful party filled with music and dancing! It was the perfect way to realize that while we come from different places, we share the same heartbeat: a goal to empower youth.

Throughout the week, we dove deep into the concept of intercultural learning, diversity and Inclusion, Communication, Conflict management, and International Project writing, and much more. We used creative tools like “identity flowers” to map out who we are: a difficult question that forces you to interrogate not only yourself but the world around you. 

In one of the most eye-opening exercises, we split into groups to create entirely new cultures: the “Spi” and the “Fa.” We developed our own social rules, values, and languages, then “met” the other culture. Without knowing each other’s codes or meanings behind gestures, we faced the raw difficulties of intercultural exchange.

This experience taught us how to deconstruct our own biases and explore practical activities to teach young people about diversity and inclusion.

Connected to this was our work on conflict management. We simulated being mediators in various contexts, learning the delicate balance of group dynamics. From this, I walked away with three new skills:

• Navigating cultural communication styles within a diverse team.
• “active listening” to ensure every voice is truly heard.
• Managing the natural tensions that arise when a group tries to innovate together.

The most rewarding part of the week was the “engine room” of project management. I worked closely with my peers to:

• Draft SMART Objectives: Writing specific goals for a project focused on environmental awareness and sustainable lifestyles.
• Co-Creation: Visualizing a project’s lifecycle, from the initial spark to budgeting and final impact assessment, on large sheets of craft paper.
• The Pitch: Developing the confidence to present our projects clearly and inclusively to the entire group.

Although, the learning didn’t stop at the classroom door; it continued through every meal, break, and late-evening conversation. One highlight was our city exploration of Trier, where we split into small groups for “funny tasks”: interviewing statues, taking photos with locals and much more.

After the city visit, we shared a group dinner in a rustic local restaurant, a moment filled with laughter but also a touch of sadness, knowing our time together was drawing to a close.

The final night was a huge goodbye party back at our accommodation. It was full of music, tears, and emotion, but also immense hope. We left with the promise to meet again and a shared drive to work together and give back to others everything we had the opportunity to learn!

Sofia Mangiaterra

IRHOV (Institut Royal pour les handicapés de l’Ouie et de la Vue) is composed of two schools specialised in supporting young people with sensory impairments. As part of his volunteering, Jasper will contribute to inclusive educational and extracurricular activities for students with visual impairments, supporting both learning and participation in daily school life.

During his first days in Liège, Jasper had the opportunity to become familiar with his new environment, meet the team, and take his first steps into the project. He visited IRHOV, where he was introduced to the students and teachers, and began to understand the context in which he will be working.

As he shared:
“I was so pleased to see the new environment. During my first visit to the IRHOV schools where I will be volunteering, everyone was incredibly open and friendly. I have already met some of the students and teachers.”

Beyond the school, Jasper also connected with the VIEWS team and his fellow ESC volunteers, starting to build relationships that will accompany him throughout his experience. Together, they explored the city of Liège and discovered new places.

“I also met the welcoming team at VIEWS and my two co-volunteers. Plus, I got to explore the city. I saw so many new, beautiful places.”

As part of his introduction to the local ecosystem, Jasper also visited La Lumière, where he discovered a wide range of activities and workshops supporting independence and creativity for people with visual impairments. This visit offered an additional perspective on accessibility and inclusion beyond the school environment.

We are very happy to have Jasper on board and look forward to accompanying him throughout his volunteering journey in the coming months!

We had the privilege of supporting young participants as they expressed themselves through street art and a moving theatre piece. What made this experience unique was the seamless connection between art and nature; the group spent time exploring the stunning Ardennes surroundings through walks and outdoor activities, proving that inspiration is often found right under our feet.

Beyond the workshops, this week became a deeply personal journey for me. Seeing these young people so motivated, energetic, and sensible served as a powerful mirror. It reminded me of where I started, where I am now, and the core of my commitment to this path.

Observing how a local project with young people was organized and taking part in its activities was a remarkable example of the profound value of local communities in building and empowering their youngest members. Seeing local youth find their voice has strengthened a sense of motivation I already thought was at its peak!”

Sofia Mangiaterra