Topic outline

  • Introduction

    Six Organisations from five European countries have joined forces to produce this educational e-learning course containing training modules of interest for parents with children with ID.

    The themes / topics to which the ELPIDA modules pertain to, emerged from a Needs Assessment Study conducted in Winder 2018. The modules aim to respond to learning objectives for training, awareness raising and/or attitude change in the areas of Human Rights, Communication, Stress Management, Transition to Adulthood, Sexual Health, Ageing.

    Each module is provided as stand-alone in the form of a “book” divided in chapters / sub-chapters.  It also includes glossary of terms, suggestions on related to the theme/topic activities and, in most cases, external resources (embedded in the “book”). The modules are completed with a forum discussion function and contain evaluation instrumentation for the three phases of the learners; interaction with the modules contents. Learners’ responses to these short questionnaires will be used to upgrade the contents, the method of presentation and the method of delivery of the ELPIDA Course. As the modules imply stand-alone units, participants / learners can choose the order they interact with the provided resources without an obligation to complete all six modules provided. It is envision that the discussion forum will serve as the space for the emergence of a European Community on ELPIDA’s thematic orientation.

    The ELPIDA partnership hopes that through the interaction with the e-learning platform,  each participant / learner will increase his / her knowledge base so as to best support PWID in his / her environment.


  • Human Rights & Employment

    Human rights are basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to regardless of nationality, sex, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, language or other status. It is important to know your rights in order to be able to exercise them!

    In this module, you will learn about your human rights as well as the human rights of people with disabilities. You will reflect on possible barriers on exercising these rights and be introduced to ways of overcoming them.

    You will also learn on the importance of employment as a human right and the types of employment currently available to people with intellectual disabilities. 

  • Communication

    When you have a deeper look into issues you are having, very often you will realise that the base of the problem is rooted in bad communication. In this module we will look into communication styles, channels and methods, with special focus on what is important for parents. The activities are aiming at helping you to be engaged in your child’s life in a more conscious way and to be able to live and work together with others.

    In the training module you can learn about the difference between communication and information as an introduction. After that you will find activitites and inforrmation on de-segregating yourself and de-segregation by others, levels and forms of parental involvement, understanding the other side, be them professionals, majority parents or other minorities. Parental involvement will be tackled as a form of active citizenship, and for that you will have the opportunity to understand the legal and institutional contexts better. For all of this to become a reality for you and your child, you will also have the opportunity to learn more about managing change. In the final part of the module you will find some activities to improve communication with your own child.

  • Stress Management

    Stress is present in our daily-life and on the one hand stress helps us to handle complicated and challenging situations. Short-term stress makes it possible for us to react and act well in those situations. On the other hand long-term stress represents a threat to health, that, among other things, can result in depression, anxiety and chronic diseases.

    In our experience, families with a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities often have a higher long-term stress level. It is also well documented that stress is contagious and that we get affected by each other's stress. This means that it is important for us to work with the stress level of the entire family.

  • Transition to Adulthood

    Every person experiences a multitude of transitions in the course of their life.

    The transition to adulthood is one of the hardest. Young people with an intellectual disability (PWID) face additional challenges and barriers.

    For this transition to succeed, the "Transition to adulthood" Learning Module contains suggestions and knowledge on how to make this transition successful and how social support systems can support it.

    The learning module is focused on the topics: understanding my child, supporting my child, letting my child go and find external support that helps my child to live an independent life.



  • Sexual Health

    All over the world, knowledge of sexuality in everyday life, have been developed. The integration of sexuality in human rights for people with disabilities, as well as rights every European country claims that people must respect, represents a quite new view on sexuality. 

    The purpose of this module is to strengthen parents (and others) competence to talk with people with intellectual disabilities (ID) about sexual health. The aim is to provide knowledge to increase sexual health, respect of others, as well as understand where personal limits goes. 

    The module contains suggestions on dialogue, guidance and education in sexuality. There is an emphasize on the interaction between parents and their children with ID (in all ages), as well as their social network. 

    The module gives examples on how parents (and others) may support their children developing a safe, sexual attitude so they can be feel free to take an active part in own sexual development. Even for those  with limited communicative abilities. 

     Main topics in this module are: Individual freedom-legal security and self-determination, cooperation, socialisation, emotions and body, and sexual abuse.



  • Ageing

    More people with intellectual disabilities achieves the same life expectancy as the general population. This is good news. In order to promote well-being and quality of life in elderly people with intellectual disabilities, information about aging, as well as practical support in health, psychological and social issues are needed.

    This sub-module contains some of the topics you may need when you talk with older people about their daily situation and future plans.

    In the module you will learn that ageing is an individual process and that early signs on ageing may be challenging for the person.

    Main topics in this module are the ageing process, friendship and socialisation, health and end of life.