New app developed to promote the inclusion of people with intellectual disability

The Institute for Research on Well-being Policies (Poliwelfare) of the University of Valencia, a partner of European project Mind Inclusion 2.0, has developed the app Mind Inclusion 2.0, to promote the inclusion of people with disability in public places. The app is already available in the Google Play Store in five languages.

People with intellectual disability often experience difficulties and psychological barriers to access public places. Furthermore, it is increasingly important to include the new tools based on ICTs in the daily work of social workers and educators. The Mind Inclusion 2.0 project aims to promote the creation and use of an innovative app that contributes to the sustainable and inclusive participation of people with disability in society.

As explained by the researchers, the project intends to improve the cooperation and exchange of experiences among organizations that work with people with intellectual disability in the EU, as well as improving the digital competencies of people with intellectual disability, educators and social workers. Furthermore, the project attempts to promote the use of the developed app, encouraging social inclusion and the self-reliance of people with intellectual disability.

Likewise, the project develops and shares practices and methodologies to build inclusive communities. In order to achieve these goals, project Mind Inclusion 2.0 has developed a mobile app that is cognitively accessible, which allows people with disability to find leisure options in their community. The app is available in Spanish, English, Italian, French and Lithuanian.

The innovative aspect of the project is based on the use of participative and co-creation methodologies in the app design and development stages in order to develop a product that is adapted to their needs.

In coming months, the app Mind Inclusion 2.0 will be tested in the town of Catarroja with the collaboration of the town hall and association APAMI. The execution of the pilot phase corresponds to the University of Valencia, as partnering entity of the project, and will be organised by professor Jordi Garcés Ferrer, director of the Institute of Poliwelfare together with doctor Sandra Martínez and researcher Nuria Moret.

The project, which began in September 2018, is funded by the Erasmus+ programme, action KA204 and strategic associations in the field of education for adults. It has a duration of two years, is headed by Margherita Società Cooperative (Italy), and includes the participation of five other partners from three different countries. As well as Poliwelfare, other members are foundation INTRAS (Institute for Research, Spain), Socialit Software e Consulting Srl (company, Italy), Association des Agences de la Democratie Locale (association, France), Lietuvos sutrikusio intelekto zmoniu globos bendrika “Viltis” (association, Lithuania).