DEVELOPING EMPATHY IN RELATION TO DISABILITY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS: THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM IN SUPPORTING INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
DEVELOPING EMPATHY IN RELATION TO DISABILITY THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS: THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM IN SUPPORTING INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Summary/Abstract: Promoting empathy towards individuals with disabilities is a key objective of inclusive education, with direct effects on reducing stigmatization and fostering positive social relationships within the school environment. This paper examines the impact of two applied educational projects: “Disabilities Explained to Children” and “Disabilities Explained to Teenagers” implemented in Arad Countybetween 2021 and 2025. These projects were developed through the effective collaboration of a multidisciplinary team (including support teachers, school counselors, speech therapists, and classroom teachers) and were basedon experiential learning activities, thematic short films, and disability-simulation activities or games. The data analysis indicates a significant increase in student and teacher participation, reflecting enhanced receptiveness to the topic of disability and a strengthened culture of inclusion within the participating schools. The results confirm the potential of these projects to generate genuine attitudinal change and support the need for their adaptation and expansion in other educational communities, through locally sustained initiatives and coherent institutional support.

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