SIGN LANGUAGE PLAYGROUND – Exchanging good practices in non-formal education of the Deaf Erasmus Project

Project Title

SIGN LANGUAGE PLAYGROUND – Exchanging good practices in non-formal education of the Deaf

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 youth

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Access for disadvantaged; Disabilities – special needs; Overcoming skills mismatches (basic/transversal)

Project Summary

There are several deaf and hearing-impaired persons in Europe who have to face difficulties. They are discriminated by the majority society due to misconceptions, stereotypes and the lack of information. Language and learning related challenges arise from the deficiencies of the current deaf educational systems; they also face difficulties with further education and finding a job. Communication problems arise from the differences in the languages used; sign language and barrier-free communication is not widespread.
How can we change this? In the Sign Language Playground Project we are going to work out a nonformal educational methodology, such as applied improvisation, experiential pedagogy, drama pedagogy and theatre pedagogy based training material through international cooperation, that is, through the collaboration of Hungarian, Greek and Turkish organisations experienced in the advocacy and education of young persons with disabilities. We are going to provide an international youth mobility program with the help of such training material, in which the young deaf and hearing persons will be able to learn about their rights and opportunities in a barrier-free form, nonformal way and in an integrated and democratic environment. They are to acquire competences which will foster their social inclusion and self-respect; a positive attitude; motivation to get the sense of the ”I can do it” ability. As a result of the experiences gained together, the hearing young persons will develop an open, inclusive and curious attitude, and an effort to overcome stereotypes and prejudices.
The comprehensive methodology and pool of exercises resulting from the project is a tool suitable at a local, national and European level to help diversity and equality accepted. This methodology combines the nonformal educational techniques used by the partner organisations. In cooperation with the partners experienced in the different forms of nonformal education, through the exchange of these best practices, we are developing a methodology with the democratic inclusion of young participants in accordance with international standards, tested and assessed in real life environment, which can be used and adapted free of charge anywhere in the world in human rights, disability related legal, sign language and communication trainings. An innovative, up-to-date nonformal educational methodology is being developed which can be further improved and disseminated, a barrier-free manual with applied exercises, which will be also available and distributable in an up-to-date, visual format.
The duration of the project is 18 months; after the preparation phase, the partners will attend 3 Transnational Meetings to exchange experiences, then followed by a one-week international youth mobility program. The mobility program will be attended by 40 young hearing-impaired and hearing persons on behalf of the partners and the associate partners; the partner countries are delegating 4 professional collaborators and attendants to the Transnational Meetings per country. At these meetings the methodology resulting from the professional workshop is going to be put in use and tested with the young people through their collaboration in a democratic, inclusive and barrier-free environment. This is to be followed by the 4th, final meeting of the project organisations, where the methodology is finalised, and then by the dissemination of the result to a broader audience.
Who will take part in the project? The team of Jel Alapítvány (Hungary), You In Europe (Greece), Hands Up Agency (Greece) and Tunceli Disability Support and Assistance Association (Turkey) consists of members experienced in the field of deaf education, disability related advocacy and nonformal education, being qualified in the most different relevant fields: linguistics, sign language interpreting, acting, teaching drama, communication trainer, improvisation trainer, a teacher of sign language or special education teacher.
What are the expected results and impacts of the project? The results for young deaf persons are expected to be: free access to sign language, the acquisition of skills needed for an independent, successful life, for social inclusion, work and to thrive, as well as for the self-advocacy processes of the Deaf. The results for the young hearing persons are expected to be: raising social awareness, sensitisation to disability and diversity, dissemination of this approach. Applying the methodological practices in an integrated and inclusive environment results in a better access, participation and school performance for students with disabilities, reducing the gaps between study results; it promotes cross-cultural dialogue, as well as the awareness about and acceptance of social diversity. The integrated program organised for young hearing and hearing-impaired persons will lead to an enhanced initiative and political and social participation.

Project Website

https://www.signlanguageplayground.org/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 79799 Eur

Project Coordinator

Jel Alapítvány & Country: HU

Project Partners

• Tunceli Engelsiz Yasam Dayanisma ve Yardimlasma Dernegi
• YOU IN EUROPE
• HANDS UP AGENCY IDIOTIKI KEFALAIOUCHIKI ETAIRIA
• Polski Zwiazek Gluchych Oddzial Opolski / Polish Association of the Deaf in Opole