The SDIT project - "Self-Determination & Inclusion by Theater" - has as its main objective the promotion of self-determination and inclusion of young people and adults with autism through theater, by training actors and other collaborators of theater groups in order to prepare them for the inclusion of people with autism in their activities.
Using an innovative pilot methodology, the team intends to demonstrate that the inclusion of people with autism through theater is facilitated if their collaborators are properly trained. The project will design and implement a pilot course aimed at 36 theater employees in Portugal, Spain and Italy, with the aim of preparing them for the inclusion of people with autism in theatrical contexts.
Recently approved for funding by the Erasmus+ programme, KA220-ADU - Partnerships for cooperation in adult education, the project is partnered by a consortium of international organizations, including ATKV Associação Teatro da Vila (Portugal), AUTISME-EUROPE AISBL (Belgium), Asociación Autismo Sevilla (Spain), Inovar Autismo - Associação de Cidadania e Inclusão (Portugal), and Associazione Diversamente ONLUS (Italy).
The main expected results are:
-
- Increase the number of theaters trained to include people with autism in their activities;
- Development of a course that can be adapted and implemented in multiple sectors of activity and for different disabilities;
- Submission of a scientific article in an indexed journal with peer review;
- Increasing employment opportunities for people with autism in theater-related activities;
- Development of a "European Handbook on Inclusion through Theatre" to be made available online free of charge.
Coordinated by CIES researcher Luís Capucha, the SDIT project aims to reshape the theater industry over the next two years, making it more accessible, inclusive and welcoming to people with autism.
