Include – Social Innovation
Include spearheaded the publication of one of the first books on inclusive education in the Greek language. The book is a collection titled “From Special Education to Inclusive Education: From School to a Society for All,” published by GRAFIMA. The authors contributing articles to the anthology are academics, researchers, and education officials who participated in the two-day conference of the same title, an event organized by Include at the Teloglion Foundation of Thessaloniki in 2010, on the International Day of the Rights of the Child, with the support of Ms. D. Venetoulia, Head of Education at the Teloglion Foundation, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education.
An edited volume on inclusive education by Include and Grafima Publications
Inclusive education is a primary educational choice, as it aligns with the protection of human rights and the creation of a more cohesive society. The book “From Special Education to Inclusive Education: From School to a Society for All” presents the perspectives of researchers, academics, educators, and mental health professionals on the concept, reality, and future of inclusive education in our country. It also includes intervention programs for children with and without special educational needs in mainstream schools.
Include uses educational robotics to include people with autism
“RoboTTogether”
Including students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in educational robotics activities with their peers RoboTTogether was designed by the “Include” research team with the support of Raycap.
The goal of the RoboTTogether program is to help remove barriers to the participation of children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in group educational robotics activities.
By publishing two digital guides on Inclusive Educational Robotics for students and teachers, “include” provides the educational community with valuable inclusive practices that have been proven effective through action research to contribute to the equal participation of students with autism in the educational process.
Include uses Judo as a hub for interaction among different social groups
I’m learning to fall, to get back up, and to stand my ground.
An inclusive training program in basic judo techniques
The world’s only training program in basic judo techniques designed to include children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, with the support of members of therapeutic programs trained in judo. The book details the inclusive educational intervention, featuring visual teaching materials for basic judo techniques created by artist Ms. Antonia Karapantazi in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team at include. “Learning to Fall, Get Up, and Stand My Ground” was implemented as part of the “Points of Support” program to strengthen innovative social initiatives by civil society. It was co-funded by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, the TIMA Charitable Foundation, the Hellenic Hope Charitable Organization, the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, the A. G. Leventis Foundation, and the Bodossaki Foundation.
Nanou, A., Giatrakou, A., Maistrellis, A. (2020). Learning to Fall, Get Up, and Stand My Ground: An Inclusive Training Program in Basic Judo Techniques. Published by GRAPHEMA, Thessaloniki
Include is leading the way by including people with autism in judo competitions
I Compete, I Win A Guide for the Participation of Athletes with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Inclusive Judo Competitions
The Include book “I Compete, I Win” is a practical and theoretical guide to the inclusion of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Judo competitions. At the same time, it highlights the historical and cultural roots of Judo that make it a deeply inclusive sport, capable of embracing and empowering vulnerable social groups. As a functional continuation of “I Learn to Fall, to Rise, to Assert Myself”, it lays the groundwork for further exploration of the dynamic effects of Judo on the psychosocial and motor development of individuals with autism, connecting competitive preparation with self-determination, the process of claiming autonomy, and empowerment within the framework of inclusive communities (Nanou, Pierantozzi, & Maistrellis, 2025). The guide also incorporates a significant social innovation: Inclusive Mixed Team Judo Competitions — an initiative that highlights the values and dynamics of Judo as a hub of interaction between individuals of mixed abilities — with and without disabilities — transforming the competitive space into a field of noble contest grounded in the terms of social empathy.
The theoretical foundation, in accordance with the historical, cultural and social context, combined with practical examples, social scenarios, technical instructions and pedagogical proposals, seeks to shape a holistic framework for the development and dissemination of Judo among individuals with autism spectrum disorder, continuing along the path of Jigoro Kano — the path of mutual benefit.
With warm wishes for competitive success from the writing and coaching team of Include,
Andromachi Nanou Editor & Scientific Director of the project
April 2025
Teaching breathing techniques to individuals with autism and multiple disabilities
A.N.A.S.A.
Include has compiled and published a free, open-access illustrated digital guide on teaching breathing techniques to individuals with autism and multiple disabilities. A gift of health and well-being for everyone. The guide details the A.N.A.S.A. program, which was designed and implemented by the Interdisciplinary Network for Special and Intercultural Education, Include, and was applied to individuals with autism spectrum disorders and, in collaboration with the SYZOI Association, to individuals with visual impairments and additional disabilities. The program and the compilation of the guide were made possible by a grant from the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation as part of the “Points of Support” program, which is co-funded by 8 public benefit organizations.
Kontogianni, M., & Nanou, A. (2023). Teaching Breathing Techniques to Individuals with Autism and Multiple Disabilities, A.N.A.S.A. E-book, Include, Thessaloniki.
Download the e-book “A.N.A.S.A.”
