SignMedia Enterprise Erasmus Project

Project Title

SignMedia Enterprise

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Enterprise, industry and SMEs (incl. entrepreneurship); Disabilities – special needs; Access for disadvantaged

Project Summary

Research indicates that the employment rate of deaf or hard of hearing people is significantly lower than hearing people. Reasons include workplace communication issues, evidence of disability discrimination in the recruitment process and lack of access to traditional careers advice services. As a result, many Deaf people are turning to self-employment – a distinct area of growth, but still under-represented in terms of accessible training and resources. SignMedia Enterprise (SME) aimed to address these issues through the development of an accessible web based glossary for sign language users with an interest in the business sector and a package of supporting resources and materials.

The main target users were deaf people in business and self-employment and those with an interest in setting up their own business, along with other beneficiaries are sign language interpreters, business students, hearing business professionals, teachers of the deaf, sign language students and policy makers. These groups were therefore the priority when identifying, selecting and engaging with project participants for various project activities.

The project aimed to not only support deaf people who are already freelance/ in business but also provide opportunities for Deaf people to start their own businesses. The ability for sign language users to learn technical vocabulary will enable enhanced mobility, creative collaboration and employment across Europe for deaf people will be a key impact.

The consortium consisted of 5 partners. University of Wolverhampton (UK) as lead partner, Bellyfeel Media Limited (UK) , University of Klagenfurt (Austria), Istituto dei Sordi di Torino (Italy) and Alba Società Cooperativa Sociale (Italy).

The methodology and results of the project were based around 3 key Intellectual Outputs ( O2 Content development, adaptation and testing, O3 Technical Development; O4 Support and Training), 4 project meetings, management activities and dissemination activity.

A 500 item business glossary in the 3 sign languages has been created signmediaenterprise.com and is free to use. The terms include a written definition, illustration and signed video and can be accessed in a number of different ways to assist with accessibility. The glossary is structured around the format of a business plan.
There is also a 100 term International Sign glossary https://signmediaenterprise.com/a-z/?lang=isl . To support the glossary, 6 video case studies were created which focus on deaf led businesses. These aim to inspire and support the target audiences and provide real lief examples. https://signmediaenterprise.com/case-studies/
It was envisaged that a total of 99 individuals from target groups, stakeholder and internal partner staff would be involved and this was achieved through a range of activities, including internal testing, questionnaires, live launch, events and remote testing.

The technical development team created the app structure, design and functionality to create the design, final structure and uploading of the content to the app.

The final phase of the project blended dissemination with marketing and training along with an ongoing social media conversation with the target audience. A series of templates and tools were created along with users guides for trainees and trainers.

It was envisaged that 1000 people would be reached directly and indirectly through project activities and this was far exceeded.

Multiplier Events could not be carried out as planned due to COVID restrictions. Instead a cross-partner live launch event took place in June 2020. The event was targeted predominantly at the target groups and was delivered in international sign language to ensure wide engagement. It took place via Facebook Live which has resulted in a recording of the event being available on an ongoing basis from the project website. The event provided information about the project, the needs analysis findings, outcomes from testing, the app content and most importantly showed delegates how to access and use the app themselves. It also showcased the support and training available. The live launch on Facebook has had 1200 views on the launch date and since. This demonstrates significant impact, which is greater than would have been achieved at face to face events.

In order to ensure that SME produced an app that is relevant and appropriate to the target groups, it was vital that individuals and organisations, outside of the consortium, were engaged with.

The glossary has been positively received by the target groups and as a result impact has been very positive. This is demonstrated through the results of testing and piloting and anecdotal evidence in relation to the need for the project activities and outputs. It is also demonstrated through the high levels of engagement with social media.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 270118,06 Eur

Project Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON & Country: UK

Project Partners

• ISTITUTO DEI SORDI DI TORINO
• Bellyfeel Media Limited
• UNIVERSITAET KLAGENFURT
• Alba Società Cooperativa Sociale a r.l.