1. Final conference, Bratislava, 2-3 October 2014 Dominique Danau – SAGO Research (NL) Visually Impaired Seniors Active learning Presentation final results external evaluation

2. o Presentation of part of the evaluation results of the VISAL project. o Focus on effects of the programme, added value and sustainability. External evaluation

3. o Evaluation alongside the project implementation. o Contributing to knowledge creation and improvement. o Assessment of management issues, implementation of the project activities and of the results. o Mixture of data gathering methods: Document analysis. Interviews (28). Questionnaires (865 in total). External evaluation: process

4. o Coordination and management: overall positive: effective, constructive, democratic and professional, leaving sufficient space for project partners to take initiative. o Learning approach = important because of the challenges related to target group and approach. o Evaluation procedure: simplification! Round 1: improve VISAL programme. Round 2: effect of programme on participants. Results on coordination & management

5. o Expectations of participants: not always very clear; at the end 75% of participants expressed that they expectations were met. o Sessions round 1: very positive (8,6/10 to 9,4/10). Results: the VISAL sessions

6. o Sessions round 2: very positive again, especially the facilitators and the overall logistics were very positive assessed with average of 4,79/5. o Learning points of participants: New experiences helping facing daily difficulties – learning from others. Getting to know new people – making friends. Respect, self-respect and tolerance. Recognition that VI seniors can speak up and are listened to. Results: the VISAL sessions

7. o Profile of participants round 2: Results: the VISAL sessions Average age: 71,25 years 55% 45% Married with children: 35% Widowed: 29% Urban area/city: 79%Rural area/small village: 5%

8. o Effects of sessions on life of participants: o Events effecting the life of the participants. o Assumption is that VISAL programme will have positive effect on confidence, mental well-being and civic engagement of participants. o Difficulty: filling in forms by participants. o Participants in round 1 and 2 were not very isolated citizens “catch 22”. Results: the VISAL sessions

9. o Effects of sessions on self-esteem and confidence: A slight increase in average scores for each of the statements of the scale used (before, after and 3 months after session 7). Refined according to age (lower score on self- esteem and confidence with increasing age). Changes are most notable for age group 76-85 years. Results: the VISAL sessions

10. Overall assessment by participants on changes in self-esteem and confidence (age groups)

11. Overall assessment by participants on changes in self-esteem and confidence (men and women)

12. o Effects of sessions on mental well-being: Use of existing scale in round 1 and round 2: 7-itemed scale with 1 – 5 (max. = 35). Average score in round 2 = 25,92/35 (round 1: 26,2/35). Results: the VISAL sessions

13. Overall assessment by participants on changes in mental well-being

14. (age groups)

15. Overall assessment by participants on changes in mental well-being (men and women)

16. o Effects of sessions on civic engagement Series of questions was used. Involvement in volunteering, helping neighbours, involvement in community associations, groups, clubs, etc. Results: the VISAL sessions

17. Overall assessment by participants on changes in civic engagement (1)

18. Overall assessment by participants on changes in civic engagement (2)

19. o National conferences: About 40 participants (and more!) per conference (participants, facilitators, organisations working with (VI) elderly people and policy makers). Create opportunities for the active involvement of seniors at community level; eagerness to learn; good self-advocates, awareness raising to address ignorance. Results

20. o Impact: VISAL programme is about empowerment and participation. Not only about the Toolkit or sessions, but about the message how to involve VI seniors in a meaningful and respectful way in society and that it works. Influencing the local habitat through informal learning opportunities, through involvement and engagement. Impact, added value and sustainability

21. o European added value: Learn from other experiences: From VISAL sessions From different cultures in relation to participation and involvement of VI seniors and how seniors live their life. Impact, European added value and sustainability

22. The way forward: “You have made a difference!” Different initiatives have been announced by partners as follow-up, for example: Implementation of VISAL in the Netherlands. The national conferences were kick-off for further cooperation and networking (Slovakia and Austria). Additional round of sessions in Austria and the UK. National train the trainer courses (Croatia and UK). Creative workshops for seniors in Croatia. AWARD in Austria! Impact, European added value and sustainability

23. d.danau@sagoonderzoek.nl