Sign Language Europe -SLE (2002-2004)

Type of project/activity:

evaluation of a LEONARDO DA VINCI pilot project

Objectives:

The EIESP is providing monitoring and evaluation for this project, the main objectives of which were defined as:

• to increase the use of sign language in initial vocational education and training (VET) in the partner countries.
• to develop a CD-Rom describing the approach to using sign language in initial vocational training.
• to develop educational materials using sign language, on CD-Rom, which can be used in vocational programmes in the partner countries.
• to encourage national and European networks of colleges offering vocational training to students with a hearing impairment in mainstream vocational education and training (VET).
• to disseminate the results of the project in the different networks of organisations for deaf persons, the specialised institutions and vocational training colleges.

Background:

Increasingly the use of sign language is considered important for integrating people with a hearing impairment in society. Vocational training, in particular for young deaf students, can play an important role in attaining this goal. Until now the European Member States held different viewpoints concerning the use of sign language in mainstream vocational training. At the same time many are developing more inclusive policies for education. The importance of this trend is reflected in research, which indicates that the results of hearing impaired students are better in mainstream courses as compared to those who received training in special institutions and the choice of qualifications is of course much broader.
Partners: The project brings together the major institutions providing education and training, as well as counselling and support for the hearing impaired in the Netherlands. It is lead by the Effatha Guyot Group (NL) and the partners are Kasterlinden: Onderwijs voor Gehoor- en Gezichtsgestoorden (BE); Language and Communication Science, City University (UK); PNO Consultants (NL – project managers); Stichting Nederlands Gebaren Centrum (NL); Viataal (NL) and the ROYAL AURIS Group.

Main activities:

The project has sought to create and strengthen links among existing national and European networks of colleges offering vocational training to hearing impaired students. The partners have designed and tested a structure using a database and CD Rom format, (GIDS) which will provide considerable progress in the methodologies used for collecting and entering signs and will make it possible to produce CD ROMs (general, product-specific, topic related) for users. The intention of the database and the related structures are to be able to develop education materials more easily for the target population and to enable the production of targeted CR ROMs.

The role of the EIESP is to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the partnership in achieving their aims and to contribute to a better understanding of integration/inclusion of students with a hearing impairment in mainstream vocational courses through a European survey. The European Agency for Development of Special Needs Education provided advice for the survey.

Name of programme, funder or client:

LEONARDO DA VINCI

Expected outcomes, reports/documents:

Evaluation reports have been provided for the partners.

The final report of the Survey of students with a hearing impairment in mainstream vocational education and training in selected European countries can be downloaded from this site.

A survey focusing more specifically on deaf students' learning in mainstream vocational training settings has been carried out by the UK project partner, City University London in four European countries. (For more information please contact Bencie Woll: b.woll@city.ac.uk )

For more information, please contact Jean Gordon gordon@eiesp.org