Talk 2: Introduction of Multi-IN Project by Bulgaria and Slovakia

Slaveya Kostadinova, 1 Terézia Drdulova2 1 Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus-Bulgaria 2 Center for Early Intervention Trnava, Slovakia

Background: The Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus-Bulgaria (SBHB) together with Center for Early Intervention Trnava (CVI Trnava) collaborate on a two-year Erasmus Plus project named Multi-IN, co-financed by the European Commission. The project aims at improving the knowledge and skills of involved groups in schools and early childhood education for students with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SBH).

Methods: The project Multi-IN encourages all involved stakeholders to apply a multidisciplinary approach in the education of children with SBH and support them in developing specific skills and knowledge. Among the main stakeholders in the educational process, Multi-IN identifies the following target groups: teachers, school leaders/school administration, special teachers, school psychologists, school nurses, personal assistants, parents and family members, students with SBH.

Results: In the project Multi-IN, several resources are developed including a resource kit of general guidelines with a set of manuals and a set of educational video courses for each of the eight target groups identified. They all are based on previous international experience, research, and good practices in the field of education and care for children with SBH. The case studies are conducted with parents and children from Bulgaria and Slovakiа. The printing materials will be ready by the end of 2022, followed by the education videos by the end of 2023. In order to support the inclusive education of students with special needs in different countries, all resources will be free to download, share and adapt on the Multi-IN website and available in three languages – Bulgarian, Slovak, and English.

Conclusion: Through the Multi-IN project, both organizations support the inclusion of students with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in school and kindergarten. At the same time, it encourages children on their way to independent, self-aware and empowered adults.