Get informed, understand and vote: the important thing is to participate was created from the experience of the Programmes for teaching autonomy led by the AIPD (Italian Association for People with Down Syndrome). The book is aimed primarily at all people with intellectual disabilities, but also for young people from secondary schools who are starting their citizenship education for the first time where they will find clear and concise instructions. Through illustrated activities and stories, the main characters will accompany readers on the discovery of the fundamental concepts in the world of politics: how to form a personal and independent opinion and exercise their rights, how the main political institutions in Italy and Europe work, what the role of associations is, and how parties and unions can be a part of it. Therefore, useful advice is given for them to be able to participate as active citizens, exercising their rights and freely expressing their choices. In particular, an educational program is proposed on all that is needed to correctly vote. Enclosed is a handy guide for educators and parents.

The book belongs to the series “Workshops for autonomy” edited by the AIPD.
Each book offers material, activities and exercises for teaching the basics of autonomy to children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities.
All the books, which are written using easy-to-understand language and are colour illustrated, come with a handy guide for educators and parents.
As Anna Contardi affirms «We have been working at improving people’s autonomy for 25 years. We have achieved excellent results. For example, we have managed to teach youngsters with serious intellectual disabilities, who are unable to read or write, to take public transport, handle money, take care of their personal hygiene, do housework and cook».