Building Improved Flexible pre-Occupational Courses in Appropriate Language for Visually Impaired

Jan. 22, 2010 - PRLog -- BIFOCAL VI project started on 01 November 2009 and will last until 30 October 2011. It is partially funded under Transfer of Innovation measure, Leonardo da Vinci programme, Lifelong learning programme of the European Commission.

Who can take advantage from the project results?

-   Blind and partially sighted people (visually impaired)
-   Disability practitioners and trainers
-   Career counselors
-   Employers
-   Job centers
-   Educational units

What the project is about?
This project is developed to support blind and partially sighted people who are unemployed and require pre-employment training to address their special needs to achieving employment.

The main project product is VISAGE comprehensive toolkit which covers all aspects of seeking employment:
-   preparing for interview
-   completion job applications
-   disclosure of disability
-   presenting a professional appearance
-   analyzing strengths and weaknesses
-   accessing further help and resources

It is also modular based, consisting of work sheets, activity sheets and fact sheets, allowing the person using it to select the section most relevant for them to work with.

The resource is designed for either individuals to use as a self directive resource, or for trainers to use in order to facilitate group sessions.

The VISAGE toolkit will be produced in accessible for visual impaired people format in English, Bulgarian, Turkish and Polish languages.

Who are the partners involved in the project?
- MALATYA MEM Turkey – Project Coordinator (malatya.meb.gov.tr)
- MARIE CURIE ASSOCIATION – Bulgaria (www.marie-curie-bg.org)
- ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR BLIND PEOPLE – United Kingdom (www.rnib.org.uk)
- FUNDACJA INSTYTUT ROZWOJU REGIONALNEGO – Poland (www.firr.org.pl)

To follow the project progress please visit the project web site: malatya.meb.gov.tr/bifocal

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About Marie Curie Association: MCA is a non-profit, non-governmental organization established in 1997. Our office is situated in Plovdiv – the second largest city in Bulgaria. We provide guidance, training and services to people with disabilities, their trainers, friends and families and older people (55+). The scope of services spreads to work and social integration, as well as vocational counselling, support and training of our target groups.