Veneto implements new disability inclusion models in schools and communities

In the Veneto region of Italy, new initiatives and policy shifts are addressing the integration of individuals with disabilities into community and school life.

In Fiume Veneto, the Nuovi Orizzonti territorial educational unit, managed by Laluna Impresa Sociale, is implementing a model of active community participation. Rather than remaining within isolated educational paths, individuals with disabilities are engaging in local schools, libraries, and volunteer work. Specific activities include assisting in kindergarten meal preparation, managing waste separation, and supporting creative workshops, as well as participating in social activities with the elderly and local parish groups.

Concurrently, regional social affairs assessor Paola Roma is proposing a new model for school inclusion in Veneto. The plan introduces the role of a “complex assistant” (assistente di plesso) to optimize services without increasing staff numbers. This role aims to move away from the traditional one-to-one student-to-operator ratio, instead providing a stable presence to cover more school hours and manage complex assistance needs, such as emergencies or students with severe behavioral disorders, particularly in isolated school locations.