Venue Date

Visually Impaired Seniors Active learning

Train-the-trainer training

1. Understand the backgrounds and theories the VISAL course is based on.

2. Understand and be able to apply the sessions in a VISAL course.

3. Understand what is needed to facilitate a VISAL course.

Aims of the train-the-trainer

Deliver an experience to increase motivation to expand individuals influence

Understand, reduce and accept barriers to participation

Provide a positive experience

Objectives – overarching VISAL

Increase skills and competences of participants,Enhance attractiveness of and access to adult

learning,value the experience of blind and PS elderly

persons, Increase participation and representation in

civil society, increase participation within non-government

organisations, especially those who respond to the needs of visual impairment and ageing communities,

Combat isolation.

Objectives detail of VISAL

• Ageing population• Prevalence VI• Motivation Theory of Atkinson• ICF• Circles of influence

Backgrounds

Europe850 million people19 of world’s oldest countries% of population 2000 >65 yrs 14.7% >80 yrs 3%2015 >65 yrs 17.6% >80 yrs 4.7%2030 >65 yrs 23.5% >80 yrs 6.4%

Backgrounds – ageing population

Prevalence visual impairment in older people:France - 60-69 yrs 3.27%, 70-79 yrs 6.01%, 80-89 yrs 15.01%, 90-99 yrs 27.86%Netherlands 1990’s – 65-74 yrs 3.1%, 75-84 yrs 7.1%, 85+ yrs 24.2%UK – 1:12 by age of 60, 1:6 by age 70

Backgrounds – population VI

In the theory of prof J.W. Atkinson the following formula of motivation:

M = P(UI+) x WK

M= motivation, P(UI+) = Perception of a favourable outcomeW= value for the person, K = costa or barriers

Your role as a facilitator is to maximize motivation and trying in cooperation with the participants to maximize perception and value and minimize barriers.

Backgrounds – motivation theory Atkinson

Backgrounds – ICF(International Classification of Functioning)

Health Condition(Disorder or disease)

Body functions &Structures

(Impairments)

Activity(Limitations)

Participation(Restrictions)

Contextual factors

Environmentalfactors

Personal factors

Backgrounds – Circles of influence

You

Friends

Service providers

Decision makers

Exercise / Experience with blindfolds

Tips and Tricks• Always ask them how they would like to

be guided – don’t assume you know.• Don’t hold the person’s arm. Let them

hold your arm at the elbow, with your arm by your side.

• While you’re walking, keep talking to the person, telling them where you’re going and what to be aware of (for example, when you’re going up and down steps).

Visual impairment or sight loss

Tips and Tricks (2)• Always look back when you’re going through

doorways to make sure the person is in the right position and is not going to hurt themselves.

• If the person wants to sit down, allow them to manoeuvre into the chair independently, offering further verbal guidance if it looks as if they may miss the chair. Don’t push or pull people into the chair as this can be very distressing.

• Always let a person know when you are leaving them, and never leave them in the middle of a room.

Visual impairment or sight loss

• Introductions• Good news session• Reflections on changes to previous topics• Outline content/objectives• Topic discussion• Comfort break• Exercise• Summary• Homework

VISAL Session Structure

VISAL Sessions overview

1. Getting to know you2. My circles of influence3. Choices within the close circles4. Doing it together5. Influencing professionals and services6. Decision makers and influence7. Reflecting, evaluating and going forward

Getting to know you

Aims of the session:• Understanding me the individual • To listen to others• When I listen to others they will listen to

me

VISAL Session 1

Getting to know you

• Be committed to take what you learn back in to your everyday life and carry out small ‘home project’ tasks between sessions.

• Be prepared to complete an evaluation of your experience in each workshop sessions.

• Be prepared to complete a follow up evaluation three months after the sessions end.

VISAL Session 1

Group rules (1)

• Be respectful • Listen to each other • Do not be afraid to try• Everybody is entitled to their own opinion • Turn up on time to sessions• Turn off mobile phones

VISAL Session 1

Group rules (2)

• Be interested and motivated in learning new life skills

• Be committed to be part of a diverse group and willing to work in an open, inclusive learning environment.

• Be able to commit to attending seven learning sessions each of which will be a minimum of 2.5 hours long.

VISAL Session 1

Individual and close circle

Aims of the session:• Understand who is important to me • Knowing and experiencing the possibilities of being

connected• Knowing there are possibilities of connection• The participant is able to determine types of

relationships and would like to add to his/her your life

VISAL Session 2

Most important and confronting part of this session is to fill in the circles of influence for all participants.

Discussions of the results of this exercise.

VISAL Session 2

Choices and influence within my close circle

Aims of the session:• To know I have a choice• Positive benefits of choosing what I want• My choices are important

VISAL Session 3

• Why are choices important?

• Think about choices you make every day?

• How are these choices limited by ageing and sight loss?

• How can I change my situation ?

VISAL Session 3

Doing it together – working with my peers

Aims of the session:• Knowing the importance of being a member

of a group & working together• Positives of belonging• You can achieve more together than on your

own

VISAL Session 4

• What links us?• We have things in common?• Use the ICF person model ....

Shaped by the wider environment

Carry similar baggage

VISAL Session 4

Influencing professionals and service providers

Aims of the session:• Who are the professionals or services that

I can challenge?• Opportunities for help.• Can bring about real change.

VISAL Session 5

• What makes bad service? Circumstances when an individual might want to challenge how they are treated when using a service

• What changes the group would like to see to the listed services that would make using them easier

• How does the group feel they can react to bad service?

VISAL Session 5

Decision makers and influence

Aims of the session:• Understanding who and how the rules are

made• Finding the way through the jungle of rules• Your voice counts

VISAL Session 6

• Invite a decision maker• Do an exercise that is actual and

relevant for the participants• As an example you can use the

exercise “Friends of the park”

VISAL Session 6

Reflections evaluations and taking things forward

Aims of the session:• Confirming the circle of influence• Confidence to tackle the barriers• Looking forwards to the future

VISAL Session 7

Recruting participants:

• Start recruiting early – it will take longer than you think!

• People will need time to make their decision to attend

• Relate the recruitment to issues or concerns that might motivate people to get involved

Practical information

Choosing a venue:

• Your location and venue must be accessible

• Programme participants must feel safe and comfortable at the venue

• Once you have identified your venue – book early as you want the programme to run in the same location for the entire length

Practical information

Meeting the participants prior to the programme:

• You must meet and speak to the course participants before they start the first Session of the Programme

• Plan the code of conduct you will want to introduce to the group

• Consider the Group dynamics and the individuals attending the programme

Practical information

For more practical information, see the toolkit

• Chapter coordinating the project • Chapter facilitating the sessions

Practical information

For simple evaluation: see toolkit appendix 8 for evaluation forms for your VISAL program.

For a more intensive evaluation proces with attention for improvement of wellbeing and engagement look for additional forms at the website: www.visal-project.eu

Evalution of the VISAL program

• Understand the VISAL Programme

• Understand the role of the facilitator

• Sufficient understanding of tools

Evalution of the train-the-trainer