Pla(i)n VET: Inclusion of young learners with special needs into VET through the use of Plain Language

Pla(i)n VET aims to support young learners with special needs in the transition period between school and labour market entry. To obtain a successful bridging of this gap, the learners are empowered and given a voice within VET to decide their own path for allowing professional self-realization. By creating adequate and comprehensive material in Plain Language, a contribution to a more inclusive VET system is made. In the long term, the disadvantaged target group will be considered on the primary labour market, rendering the latter more inclusive.

One key objective of Pla(i)n VET is the use and application of Plain Language for the integration and inclusion of learners with special needs linked to accessibility. The concept of the project relies on the fact that accessibility includes overcoming language barriers and should therefore be part of an inclusive strategy in VET. Plain Language follows a certain structure, design, and expression and needs to be evaluated – these rules are firm, also on a European wide level. In our project, Plain Language is used to make content easier and faster to understand for the target group. This leads to a better involvement of the target group in decision-making processes about their professional future and simultaneously brings about a broader understanding of the use of Plain Language in VET.