The Multiplier Event of the Erasmus+ project “Autism Inclusion in Distance Learning – Autism IncluDi” was successfully held on January 22, 2025, at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, Greece. Organized by the project coordinator, the event welcomed over 50 in-person participants and more than 150 online attendees, reflecting the strong interest and engagement of the educational community.
The event served as a unique opportunity to present the project’s outcomes and to share best practices for supporting individuals on the autism spectrum in distance learning contexts.
Agenda Highlights
The event opened with a presentation of the project and its core results by Prof. Nikolaos Fachantidis from the University of Macedonia. This was followed by presentations from the project partners:
- Autism-Europe AISBL (Belgium) – Presentation in English
- A&A Emphasys Interactive Solutions Ltd (Cyprus) – Presentation in Greek
- Rezekne Academy of Technologies (Latvia) – Presentation in English
- Agrupamento de Escolas José Estevão (Portugal) – Video presentation
- ATLANTIS Engineering SA (Greece) – Presentation in Greek
One of the most touching and impactful moments of the event was the personal testimony of a university student on the autism spectrum, who shared his experiences with distance learning both as a secondary school student and as a current undergraduate. His perspective added depth and authenticity to the discussion on inclusion in academic settings.
Equally moving were the contributions of parents of autistic individuals, who shared their everyday experiences and the challenges they face. Their voices highlighted the vital importance of family engagement in the learning process.
The event also featured a session on best practices for the inclusion of autistic learners in lifelong learning, offering practical strategies for the adaptation of teaching material and methods, followed by an open discussion and Q&A session, where participants provided valuable insights and reflections.
Reflections from Participants
The feedback collected from online participants emphasized key values such as empathy, inclusion, and the transformative power of technology. Comments included:
“Inclusion is for everyone, and technology is an ally in this effort.”
“Empathy is the starting point.”
“I learned things that will help me better support students on the spectrum.”
“With the right support, autistic individuals can achieve so much.”
“The participation of parents was essential.”
“Real inclusion needs awareness and action.”
“Such events should be open and accessible to all.”
The event closed with remarks by Prof. Nikolaos Fachantidis, who thanked the contributors and underlined the importance of continuing efforts to build a more inclusive education system.
We extend our sincere thanks to all our project partners for their invaluable contributions and ongoing collaboration:
- Autism-Europe AISBL (Belgium)
- A&A Emphasys Interactive Solutions Ltd (Cyprus)
- Rezekne Academy of Technologies (Latvia)
- Agrupamento de Escolas José Estevão (Portugal)
- ATLANTIS Engineering SA (Greece)
Together, we continue to envision and build an education system that embraces diversity, empowers learners, and fosters true inclusion.
