This multi-national EU funded project - completed by
June 2003 - developed a
British Sign Language
(BSL) course, for the hearing impaired, of any age. The
course includes over 57 essential phrases.
SIGN-NET is a unique and totally new approach to
teaching Sign. Designed for use by members of the
hearing community, SIGN-NET uses a series of 57 video
clips to show the learner exactly how key words and
phrases can be used to communicate with the deaf.
Created for use by personnel including receptionists,
doctors, nurses, waiters, waitresses, retail and travel
staff, SIGN-NET aims to break through the barriers often
created through misunderstandings between the deaf and
hearing communities. Supported by sections designed to
make signing fun, SIGN-NET is a course which encourages
learning!
The European Union part funded the development of this
basic on-line Sign Language course,
available in British Sign Language (BSL) for those
people who will come in to contact with people with a
hearing disability so they will be able to communicate
effectively with them – this could be family members,
employers or trainers. Deafness has the effect of
isolating the individual from society both economically
and socially.
The project aims to reduce exclusion and, using the
latest communication technologies, encourage societal
mainstreaming and integration of the individual to
enable him/her to work and/or train alongside their able
bodies peers.
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For example if a deaf person wants to
undertake a training course they need to be
able to communicate with someone at the
local College to explain their needs. The
first contact will be with the Reception
desk.
Without some basic knowledge of sign
language the receptionist will not be able
to help - the deaf person with a mental
health problem will then have to wait until
someone with Sign language skills is
available. They may not be able to wait and
the frustrating experience may lead them not
to bother pursuing the training course.
If, however, the Receptionist is able to
communicate (albeit in a basic way) this
will ensure that the deaf person is dealt
with effectively and sympathetically.
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Areas covered are:
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Healthy Living |
Eating Out |
Travelling |
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In the Workplace |
Shopping |
School/College |
The cost of the
CD-Rom is £9.95 - to cover part-production costs and
postage and can be ordered via a this website.
