FORUM

Deaf Studies on the Agenda

Project Summary (EU)

A Project under the Employment - HORIZON (Disabilities) Initiative 1995-7

This project is an interaction in Deaf Studies of partners in nine member states of the EU. It will be a transnational cooperation in resources for deaf people, in research in sign language and the deaf community and the delivery of training. It will involve training alongside people from other countries; it will place sign language interaction at its centre and it will utilise new technology (computer, video). For the first time, deaf people will be able to achieve the same as hearing people.

The FORUM project

• will form European partnerships centred on training goals within Deaf Studies
• will set up resources for deaf people to support them in work and in society
• will carry out basic research and evaluation of the initiatives
• will have meetings twice yearly of all partners
• will exchange trainers, trainees and training packages
• will apply new media (computer, video) to delivery of training
• collaborate on multilingual distance packages
• carry out pilot work on interactive distance training through video conferencing
• will work towards a European common certification for deaf people and those who work with them. This approach will establish the basis for convergence of training in the area within the three areas of academic, vocational and occupational qualifications

FORUM will be the first to provide real access to deaf people, through technology and by both direct action with deaf people and by indirect action on those who facilitate deaf involvement (eg interpreters) and on those who act as trainers to deaf people. In the first phase to 1997, the project will prepare the common validation process and, in delivering this co-ordinated training in phase 2 (1997 onwards), it will set the basis for training into the next century.

Overall Aim: To develop a European consensus and pattern for training which recognises the skills and needs of deaf people

Objectives:

• To establish a European training framework for deaf people and those who work with them
• To provide agreed pathways to this training in occupational, vocational and academic qualifications
• To develop a common Certificate for Deaf Studies with validated curricula
• To deliver training in four modes: centralised, distributed, distance and interactive
• To deliver training in each aspect of the Deaf Studies Constellation (including counselling, management, technology, media)
• To provide personal development training for deaf people (reconstruction of identity)
• To evaluate in each partner, course provision, trainee performance and employment outcomes
• To provide opportunities for exchange of trainers and trainees and to allow work experience in partners' organisations
• To prepare a common dissemination strategy which will be of value to employers and agencies in each country in the EU
• To support the initiatives of partners in setting up their own service agencies, in actions which will extend the effects to deaf people entering the labour market

Evaluation

Collection of monitoring information will be made 4 times throughout the project year; this will be the basis of feedback to the partners at the project meetings. Evaluation of each of the project goals will be made at the end of each year. Evaluation will also include feedback from the trainees and notes on their destination beyond the training period. Both qualitative and quantitative data will be collected. Partners will be responsible for the collection of information on the national component of their work. Tangible evaluation of trainee hours spent, performance and assessment grades, level of course provision will be available.

Dissemination

The project is designed to pilot new forms of course delivery, provide the core training for trainers and assure the information network of training opportunities across Europe, and it has a responsibility to inform employers. The evaluation and periodic reports will be targeted on employment bodies as determined by each partner. The prime dissemination targets are employers' federations, training and awards bodies, funding agencies for training, and employers themselves. Each partner will be sensitive to local conditions and focused information material will be prepared and distributed in each country in the appropriate language and format.
This project is supported by ESF.

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