The LANGUIDE concept is based on a model of mutual support for two groups vulnerable to social exclusion. The project will strengthen the potential of both parties, identify their unique resources, and assist in the social inclusion of the aforementioned groups.

Thanks to refined phonetic hearing and proficiency in utilizing audiolingual resources, blind and visually impaired individuals assist refugees in achieving language, cultural, and social inclusion. Refugees and migrants in turn motivate blind native speakers to learn a new profession and become socially activated. Both parties gain skills based on empathy and a deep understanding of the needs of others – the ability to adapt to new situations and function in a heterogeneous group of people. The positive experience of prototyping the model inspired us to develop the idea. The effectiveness of the interactions, especially in the context of language acquisition and faster adaptation of people who found themselves in Poland as a result of the hostilities in Ukraine, motivated the project team to conduct activities on a larger scale.

Based on the financial support from EU funds, we have set the following goals: Social inclusion of two socially vulnerable groups through:

I. Increasing the number of language guides, i.e., blind or visually impaired individuals prepared for the role of language tutors based on their knowledge of audio lingual methods.

• Strengthening and expanding the existing model using the design thinking method. Strengthening the feedback information element and self-assessment-based education.
• Developing a new professional specialization for individuals with visual impairments.
• Training the first 3 instructors towards further pedagogical-methodical education of new language guides.

II. Increasing the number of migrants trained in language and culture.

• Language and cultural support.
• Training students in independent language exploration and the use of language learning mechanisms in various life situations, even after completing the course.
• Creating an intersectoral ecosystem conducive to effective support for exclusion-prone groups.

Our hope is the appearance of a new profession for blind and visually impaired people on the European occupational map in the future.