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Uluslararası sağır gençler için yeni ve farklı bir gelecek fırsatı

2024-1-TR01-KA152-YOU-0002316932024Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: TR|AL|PL|BG|IT · Grant: €28,940
DisabilitiesInclusion of marginalised young peoplePromotion of alternative forms of participation

Objectives

Our primary goal in implementing this project was to draw attention to the structural inequalities Deaf youth face in the areas of education, employment, and active participation in social life, and to create a learning and empowerment process that would contribute to reducing these inequalities. Deaf children and young people often cannot access appropriate and quality education in schools; this situation leads to lifelong employment problems, exclusion from social life, and rights violations. Difficulties in communicating with the hearing and speaking community, the lack of a sufficient number and quality of sign language interpreters and public officials who know sign language, seriously limit the access of deaf individuals to education, justice, health, and other fundamental rights. These disadvantages cause deaf youth to lag behind not only in formal education but also in non-formal education. Although the European Union's Erasmus+ Youth Program offers important opportunities for youth empowerment, the participation of deaf youth in these programs is quite limited due to communication barriers and lack of access to information. While it is challenging for them to participate in mobility projects, it is even more difficult for them to develop their own projects and take on active roles. However, programs such as Erasmus+ are powerful tools that support deaf young people in gaining self-confidence, becoming active in rights advocacy processes, and playing a role in social change. One of the main goals we aimed to achieve with this project is to develop deaf young people's sense of active citizenship, leadership, and advocacy skills. Compared to other disability groups, deaf individuals tend to be more passive when it comes to raising public awareness about their own issues, developing actions, and advocating for themselves. One of the most important reasons for this is the negative impact that difficulties in accessing education and justice have on educational attainment and literacy. For this reason, the deaf community needs participatory, courageous deaf youth with developed leadership skills. Based on these needs, the project aimed to bring together deaf youth from Poland, Albania, Italy, Bulgaria, and Turkey to think together about common issues, share experiences, and develop solutions. Through peer learning and international interaction, we aimed to empower Deaf youth both individually and socially, increase the visibility and use of sign language, and enable more Deaf youth to actively benefit from the Erasmus+ program.

Project partners (5)