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EUD Members News |
Hidden histories of Deaf people in Northern Ireland to be uncovered |
The history of Deaf people in Northern Ireland is to be recorded and preserved for years to come thanks to a unique project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
The aim of the project is to create a lasting and educational record of the life and times of Deaf people from the 1890s to the current day. Up to 150 Deaf people will be involved in the project which will collect, record, catalogue and preserve the history, experiences and memories of Deaf people from across Northern Ireland. The project will culminate in the creation of a DVD for Deaf people charting the history and the challenges faced by the Deaf community before the aid of modern technology.
4,500 Deaf people live in Northern Ireland but up until now their stories, experiences and role within the community have not been told. It is hoped that the DVD will help more people to understand the life and challenges faced by Deaf people in years gone by.
The award of £131,500 will be managed by the Deaf Association of Northern Ireland which as part of the British Deaf Association is the largest Deaf organisation in the UK run by Deaf people. Commenting on the news, Majella McATEER (Director) said, "We are really pleased that the Heritage Lottery Fund has recognised the need for this new project. Long before the introduction of many of today's modern aids Deaf people were functioning in society in their own way. These past experiences are invaluable to present and future generations of Deaf people."
Explaining the importance of the project, HLF's Kevin BAIRD said, "This is a ground breaking project that is long over due. The history of Deaf people is not currently well told or shared and there is much to discover. We're extremely proud to be able to fund this vital project and I have no doubt that we will uncover some fascinating stories and experiences."
The DVD will feature British Sign Language, Irish Sign Language and English ensuring that it is beneficial to as many people as possible. |
Source: BDA press release
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75 years Deaf clubs in Slovenia |
In 2006 Slovenia celebrates the 75 th anniversary of adult deaf people’s organised activities. First attempts of deaf adults to organize themselves date from 1909, while the first deaf club was officially founded in Ljubljana in 1931.
The 2006 International Day of the Deaf will be celebrated in Ljubljana where in September 1931 deaf adult people called a meeting and founded their association aimed at providing legal assistance, material support in case of unemployment or illness, and to offer mutual help.
Today, after so many years, Deaf clubs have a very important role in deaf and hard of hearing peoples’ lives. The scope of the Association is voluntary and independent gathering deaf and hard of hearing people in order to satisfy their special needs and to advocate their interests. Over the course of time, the goals have not been essentially changed: united in their own association, the members wish to exercise their rights, facilitate inclusion in society, obtain economic, social, health and legal security, social justice, and access to equal possibilities.
Within the Association they socialize with equal persons in their social environment, using their own language and exercising cultural and sports activities. The Association with its Deaf and hard of hearing clubs is performing a precious role and is accessible to its members in case of personal problems or strained circumstances, offering them individual help and moral support.
The role of these clubs is to establish links with other experts and institutions, and to realize special social programmes. Clubs have an important role in individual members’ life and work. In many cases, a deaf club is like a second home to a deaf person. |
Source: lz sveta tišine June 2006
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2nd International Festival of Humour of Deaf Community in Slovakia |
The success of the first International festival of humour of deaf in Slovakia motivated the organisers to continue in this tradition. They aim to make the festival cultural heritage of deaf and hearing and hope that this festival will lead to a change in the perception of deaf culture. Deaf understand the importance of this festival. It helps them to increase their identity, to deepen their self-confidence and to overcome barriers.
The deaf community shares a distinct type of humour, and many deaf people have pointed out that they are not able to enjoy fully funny programs for hearing people. That’s why the International Festival of Humour will take place in Bratislava, Slovakia on 16-19 November 2006.
The Humour Festival wants to put deaf humour under the spotlight. Deaf humour is popular in the deaf community, but unfortunately, hearing people do not always understand sign language and the mentality of deaf community. The Festival works together with the great theatre, “Neslysim”, from Brno, the Czech Republic and has prepared a great comedy show.
If you are deaf – humorists, film-makers, cartoonists, you can confirm your attendance at the second International festival of humour of deaf community.
For more information, please view the Festival’s website at http://www.slovakdeaf.unas.cz/enindex.htm |
Source: Jaroslav Cehlarik, Organiser
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EDF News |
New EDF Quarterly Newsletter “Disability Voice.EU” |
EDF proudly presents a new EDF Quarterly Newsletter "Disability Voice.EU" which provides a general overview of the EDF major campaigns in the last 3 months.
Each issue of the "Disability Voice.EU" will provide EDF members in-depth information and analysis of one or more EDF major campaigns. The summer issue focuses on the national campaign on the structural funds and the rights of disabled air passengers. The quarterly newsletter will also include a section on the EDF history, information on work in progress on key issues of the last three months.
The "Disability Voice.EU" should also act as a communication tool not only from EDF to its members, but also from EDF members to EDF members. Members are therefore encouraged to share information with EDF on issues which will be addressed in the next newsletter such as examples of good practices and projects.
EDF’s aim is to simplify as much as possible the language used and to avoid as much as possible EU jargon. In this way, the "Disability Voice.EU" could be used by EDF members to communicate more easily with their members to promote their work within EDF and the challenges at EU level with a clear impact at national level.
To subscribe to this quarterly newsletter, please contact: valerie.asselberghs@edf-feph.org |
Source: EDF
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European Union News |
New 2007-2013 EU Programme |
The Council of Ministers of the European Union recently adopted the “ Europe for citizens” programme which will cover the period 2007-2013 with a total budget of 207 million euros.
The programme aims to address one of the key issues on the EU agenda at the moment: the increasing gap between citizens and the EU and how to reduce it. The new programme will encourage cooperation between citizens and their organizations in different countries. It is thought that intercultural exchanges of this sort will improve citizen’s knowledge of the culture and history of European people and highlight their common heritage.
The programme will include four actions : “Active citizens for Europe”, “Active civil society for Europe”, “Together for Europe” and “An active European memory”.
The European Parliament stressed that encouraging active citizenship is crucial in the fight against racism, xenophobia and intolerance, and in promoting integration, cohesion and democracy.
For more information on the programme, go to
http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l29015.htm |
Source: EDF Weekly Mailing 19/2006
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Become Informed about Your Rights under National Antidiscrimination Law |
 Last summer, the campaign's national information leaflets were produced for all 25 EU Member States. The leaflets give country-specific information on diversity issues, on national legislation on antidiscrimination and contact details for organisations that help potential victims of discrimination. The leaflets were written in close consultation with the campaign's National Working Groups in each country. Trade unions, employers' associations, NGOs and state authorities all provided information and their experience to put together these useful and accessible information tools.
The National Information Flyers are now available in a second edition, due to high demand. They can be ordered online or downloaded here.
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Source: Stop Discrimination Newsletter July 2006
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EU Diversity Truck Tour About to Start |
On 10th August the bright yellow EU stop-discrimination Truck will hit the road again to set off on its third trip across Europe. The 30-ton vehicle is designed to inform people of their rights under EU and national anti-discrimination legislation and will help the European Union's drive to combat discrimination and promote diversity in the workplace.
To mark Finland's Presidency of the EU, this year's tour will start in Helsinki and will travel through 13 Member States visiting 22 cities across the EU. In its four-month tour, the Truck will cover 13,610 kilometres by the end of November.
The stage measuring 50 square metres will feature an information and entertainment programme specially developed for each country. One of the highlights of this year's programme is an interactive Mobile Ability Park aimed at sensitising the public to the barriers that people with disabilities face in everyday life. The Park, developed together with disability NGOs, will allow visitors to master a fixed course in a wheelchair overcoming obstacles such as curves, difficult constrictions, ramps and stairs. Other new features on the truck include a Diversity karaoke song contest, a travelling poster exhibition presenting the best entries to the "Breaking Stereotypes" Poster Competition as well as panel discussions, anti-discrimination and employment training, and a whole lot more.
For the detailed programme of each stop, please visit the special Truck Tour website at www.stop-discrimination.info/ which will be online from the 1 August. |
Source: Stop Discrimination Newsletter July 2006
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Deaf News around Europe and the World |
Waiting area for deaf in train station Germany |
In the main station of Düsseldorf ( Germany) the first waiting area for deaf and hard of hearing youngsters has been opened. The aim of the project is to prevent deaf people from becoming isolated.
The train station is a gathering spot for deaf young people since lots of them go to school or are following training courses in the city. The room is accessible for young people between 14-27 years old.
The project funding of 250.000€ is financed by different humanitarian organisations. The German railways don’t charge any rent for the use of the space. The project will run for three years and is in co-operation with the University of Köln. Deaf people will be guided by two persons who will try to be intermediary persons between the natural meeting place in the station and the deaf associations. In Nordrhein-Westphalen 59.000 people are deaf or hard of hearing. |
Source: http://www.rp-online.de/public/article/dtoday/news/aktuell/334174
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Other News |
The Council of Europe welcomes persons with disabilities |
In the framework of our Equal Opportunities Policy, and in particular of the Equal Opportunities Strategy for Persons with Disabilities, the Council of Europe regularly welcomes persons with disabilities as trainees as part of its traineeship programme.
The programme allows trainees to familiarise themselves with the activities of the organisation and to gain valuable work experience. Traineeships are generally not remunerated, but the Council have some limited possibilities for persons with disabilities participating in the traineeship scheme to receive a monthly scholarship with a view to facilitating their participation.
The Equal Opportunities Unit in the Directorate of Human Resources is responsible for co-ordinating actions to promote the integration of persons with disabilities into the Secretariat.
Potential trainees are therefore requested to send their applications to the Unit as follows:
- by e-mail : drh.egalitedeschances@coe.int or
- by post : Directorate of Human Resources, Equal Opportunities Unit, F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, France
Applications may still be submitted for the next trainee session which will run from September 2006 to December 2006.
For more information about the traineeship scheme
http://www.coe.int/t/e/human%5Fresources/jobs/11%5FTraineeship%5Fopportunities/ |
Source: EDF Weekly Flash 20/2006
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Forthcoming Events/Agenda |
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EFSLI (European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters) AGM & Conference: “Innovative Practice in Team Interpreting” |
Date: 15 September - 17 September 2006
Place: Prague , Czech Republic
Website: http://www.cktzj.com/efsli2006/ |
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EDDE 2006 (European Days of Deaf Education) on Communication and Language Development in Sign Language, Spoken Language and read and written Language |
Date: 19-22 October 2006
Place: Örebro, Sweden
Website:www.edde.nu
Early Registrations Rate until 15 th August 2006 |
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Editorial note
EUD Update is published by EUD in English with support from the European Community – the European Union against discrimination.
The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission, nor the official policy of EUD. The publication is for information only. Readers are invited to reproduce the information provided the source is quoted.
If you wish to receive EUD Update, please send us an email at: info@eudnet.org.
Should you wish to make any contribution or notify any e-mail address modification, please do not hesitate to contact the EUD secretariat, Fax: +32 9 225 08 34, E-mail: info@eudnet.org.
Editors: Mairead O'LEARY and Karin VAN PUYENBROECK. |
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