Kick-off Meeting

Kick-off Meeting in Turin

On January 18 and 19, 2022, the kick-off meeting “Story Making and Reading for ALL – Stories4ALL”, which is an integral part of the Erasmus+ project, took place in Turin, Italy. This important event, hosted by Microkosmos, was an important step in supporting people with visual impairments (VI). The initiative was inspired by the Greek project “Breathing life into images”,” implemented by e-Nable Greece and Amimoni, and focuses on the transformation of digital storytelling images into tactile images using 3D printing technology.

Key partners such as e-Nable Greece, Microkosmos and Amimoni came together to discuss the different aspects of the project. The main objectives were to create a guide for the design or conversion of stories and educational materials into visual-audio-tactile forms, to train families and teachers of students with VI and to build capacity to create fully accessible story formats.

The meeting agenda included presentations and discussions on various project activities. Topics ranged from designing tactile fairy tales/stories to developing an e-learning platform and strategies for training educators and families. Partners were asked to prepare presentations about their organisations and provide draft templates and plans for the activities planned under the project.

The first day’s sessions served to create a clear understanding of the project’s objectives and the roles of each partner. The discussions on designing and updating the guide for designing a tactile fairy tale/story were a highlight and emphasised the importance of inclusivity in educational materials. Another important topic was the proposed e-learning platform, which is intended as a training tool and resource hub for educators and families.

The second day continued with discussions on practical training for families or teachers of children with VI and plans for a final exhibition of digital tactile stories to showcase the project results. The partners also explored dissemination strategies to ensure that the project results reach a wide audience and contribute to a change in the approach to educational materials for visually impaired students.

Throughout the meeting, a sense of collaboration and shared commitment between the partners was palpable. The meeting concluded with discussions on evaluation strategies that laid the groundwork for future activities and meetings.

In summary, the Stories4ALL Kick-Off Meeting in Turin was a testament to the commitment of all partners involved. It created a solid foundation for the project that will have a significant impact on the lives of students with visual impairments and their teachers.