To provide a platform to facilitate full participation in society by the deaf and those with associated communication needs. Such people could include those who are deaf, hard of hearing, have multiple disabilities and other communication disabilities, together with their families and other supporting partners.

The Association has the following aims:

• To set up a forum to enable members of the Association to share good practice.
• To enable members of the Association to co-operate in (bilingual) research and development projects.
• To disseminate information throughout the European Union about activities of the members of the Association.
• To encourage member states of the European Union to establish comprehensive provision in the areas of education, training, employment and other appropriate support.
• To set up activities to increase awareness about bilingual education, training, and support for the deaf and those with associated communication needs in EU member states.
• Each member organisation will include equal representation of deaf people in the activities of the Association.

The proposed short-term objectives of the Association are:

• To organise Think Tanks to focus on project and material development.
• To establish databases of resources, facilities and organisations.
• To initiate dissemination of information, activities, and materials by
  • seminars and workshops;
  • exchanges of staff, clients, and others in order to share practice, experiences, resources and knowledge;
  • newsletters, internet, and other means.
• To promote training packages for parents and other family members and care workers.
• To highlight issues through campaigning and public awareness.
• To develop sign language and deaf awareness educational packages and materials for the use of hearing children in in primary schools.
• To establish the legal basis of the Association in accordance with EU requirements.

Signed, 6th December 1997 in Madrid, by

• Centre for Sign Language, Kobenhaven, DK
• Institut Départemental Gustave Baguer, Asnieres S/Seine, FR
• Special High School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Thessaloniki, GR
• Koninklijke Ammanstichting, Rotterdam, NL
• Institute for the Deaf, St. Michielsgestel, NL
• Nucleo de Orientaçao Educativa e de Educaçao Especial, Lisboa, PO
• CP de Sordos, Madrid, SP
• Birgittaskolan, Orebro, SW
• Royal School for the Deaf, Derby, UK

(This information on this page was received from Mr. C. Ashmore, Royal School for the Deaf, Derby, May 1998.) 

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