One World – design for inclusion: learning, testing and designing for accessibility
As part of the Erasmus+ project “One World – Design for Inclusion”, Dracon Rules Design Studio participated in an experiential course in Arad, Romania, hosted and facilitated by Asociatia Share Education.
The mobility focused on understanding intellectual disability, exploring inclusive educational methods, and developing game-based activities that can better respond to the needs of people with intellectual disabilities, their caregivers, trainers and support professionals.
Introductory Sessions and Team Building
No course goes without the proper introductory sessions, especially when it concerns people with intellectual disabilities, their caregivers and their trainers.
During the first part of the mobility, Dracon members participated in icebreaking and bonding activities that helped create a safe and open learning environment. These activities supported communication between participants and prepared the group for the more sensitive and practical discussions that followed.
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Building the Theoretical Foundation
No course goes without the proper theory.
Participants discussed the topic of intellectual disability, including different levels, characteristics and support needs. The sessions also explored ways to approach activities as a facilitator, how to adapt communication, and how games or simple objects can become useful tools for learning, interaction and inclusion.
This theoretical foundation helped participants better understand that inclusive game design starts with listening, observing and adapting to the needs of the people involved.
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Discussions with experts
The course continued with discussions with experts in the field.
Participants explored real case examples, ways to approach different situations, reward-based methods, and the role of simple games as tools for psychologists and facilitators. These conversations helped connect theory with practice and offered practical insights into how games can support learning, emotional response, communication and social interaction.
This activity was organised with the collaboration of Clinica Psiho One.
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Listening to caregivers, trainers and volunteers
An important part of the course was the direct dialogue with caregivers, trainers and volunteers working with people with intellectual disabilities.
The discussions focused on their needs, wishes, challenges and everyday experiences. Participants also had the opportunity to hear their perspectives on the activities conducted with the people they support, gaining a deeper understanding of what works in practice and what still needs to be improved.
This exchange helped Dracon’s team see inclusive game design not only from the perspective of the designer, but also from the perspective of families, trainers and the people who provide daily support.
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Hands-on testing in real conditions
The main event of the course, and the culmination of the project’s efforts, was the hands-on testing activity in real conditions.
Dracon participants created games for people with intellectual disabilities based on the discussions with specialists, psychologists, trainers, authorities and caregivers. The games were then tested with the support of Integra Arad ONG, allowing participants to observe how the activities worked in practice.
This testing phase gave the team valuable feedback on accessibility, clarity, engagement and emotional response. It also showed how important it is to design games together with the people and communities they are meant to support. Video:
Latest news about the project
With the support of the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed express solely the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the State Scholarship Foundation (IKY). Neither the European Union nor the funding authority can be held responsible for them.
Project reference: 2025-1-EL01-KA122-ADU000340947
