Description
In the Czech Republic, there are currently no special educational materials or methodologies for the work with deaf youth in the field of domestic violence. Yet people with a hearing impairment are in danger of domestic violence just like the ones without it, and in addition to that they have to deal with extra difficulties arising from their handicap, especially with the language barrier in both oral and written communication and with an insufficient orientation in reality and information. The project’s goal is the prevention of domestic violence in the community of deaf youth with the use of strategies and materials with respect to the specific communication needs of the deaf (communication in sign language, dramatic methods, therapy and education through film). The project’s content is an intensive extracurricular work with a group of deaf girls in two Czech cities and a consequential creation of educational materials: methodologies and a short film, which the girls will take part in.
Summary of project results
Our goal was to prevent domestic violence in the community of hearing-impaired adolescents using innovative methods and educational materials that respect the specific communication needs of these young people. The project’s content focused on extracurricular work with a group of hearing-impaired teenagers at two secondary schools for the deaf in the Czech Republic (in Brno and Valašské Meziříčí) and the subsequent creation of educational products – a handbook for the prevention of domestic violence and a film that the hearing-impaired youths themselves participated in making. The target group was involved in an after-school club; selected participants became protagonists of the documentary film. The project outcome is 31-page handbook and a 52-minute documentary. The guide contains a simple and understandable explanation of domestic violence, including various exercises and a final test. It is suitable for reading or retelling in Czech sign language. The film portrays the lives of three hearing impaired young people who have experienced domestic violence in their families and still face life's challenges with courage and humour. Both the guide and the film can serve as a basis for discussion and educational work in schools and in families. The main benefit of the project was the individual work with young people. The activities at the club, preparing for filming, and the filming itself served as both a positive experience and therapy for the participants.
Summary of bilateral results