The main objective of FTS was to enable deaf jobseekers to become more resilient, acquire greater self-determination, self-motivation (to self-study) and independence through the acquisition of transferable digital skills and increased (digital) capacities. We identified several indicators to demonstrate that we have achieved this objective. These are: - more than 100 D/deaf youth have used the tools independently; - 20 deaf job seekers have acquired transferable skills; - 80% of deaf youth participants express greater empowerment; - 15 institutes, organisations and schools use the tools in their training programmes. This report demonstrates that we have achieved all of our planned objective indicators. NB on abbreviations: HU = Humbolt University, COMU = Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi, ISSR = Istituto Statale Sordi Roma, IST = Istituto dei Sordi di Torino DGS - German Sign Language, ÖGS = Austrian Sign Language, TID = Turkish Sign Language, LIS is Italian Sign Language SL = Sign Language
The goal of Free Technology Signs (FTS) was to develop accessible, bilingual digital resources to enable deaf job seekers to learn transferable digital skills independently or in training settings. FTS aims to facilitate linguistic access to learning materials for our main target group of deaf job seekers. Lack of linguistic access in training and apprenticeships leaves them at a disadvantage to hearing peers on the job market. Lack of opportunities, in education and employment, lead to marginalisation, psychological, social and financial problems. Digitalisation creates opportunities, but also barriers. The digital world is full of jargon deriving from English, it is very written language heavy and there simply are not sufficient accessible sign language resources available. Transferable digital skills are needed for most jobs. Deaf jobseekers often have good digital skills but have gaps in their knowledge. There are an estimated one million Deaf people in the European Union, 750.000 of whom sign. Our materials enable deaf job seekers to gain digital skills, making them more competitive candidates for jobs. Flexible, digitally skilled, confident deaf job seekers are more likely to secure jobs and fulfill their potential