Description
In Poland the level of support for deaf people in the field of legal advisory services is extremely low (very few NGOs active in that area, their low level of development, few useful forms of support offered and implemented). The objective of the project is to empower vulnerable groups by improving the availability of free legal services. This will be achieved by launching an on-line service with professional support in the field of law and administration for deaf people throughout Poland. Thanks to web cameras, about 500 participants will be able to ask questions to a lawyer in real time and receive a professional, free answer/advice in sign language. Additionally, at least 240 information videos on legal topics in sign language will be prepared. The project will benefit deaf people throughout Poland.
Summary of project results
"The first and preferred language of the Deaf community in Poland is the Polish sign language, however information on the rights of citizens and the activities of the local and state administration provided in that language are scarce. Access to sign language interpreters in administration offices is still difficult. Communication barriers and roadblock in access to information expose deaf people to social exclusion. The objective of the project was to increase the access to free counseling for deaf people and to diminish communication barriers in contacts with hearing people through the use of webcams and a sign language interpreter online. Another important goal of the project was to prepare video materials on legal and social aspects translated into sign language. As a result of activities performed 592 deaf people from all across Poland have benefited from legal and civic counseling with the support of a sign language interpreter online or from the help of sign language interpreter online when taking care of administrative errands. 718 information videos in sign language were created and made available online. The activities covered the launch of the “Signing Emergency Service"", which consists of establishing a connection with a sign language interpreter through an online communicator like Skype or ooVoo (516 people have used the services and about 20 public institutions - including social welfare centres, the City Hall, the Marshal Office, ZUS - Social Insurance Institution, , Tax Office, Labour Office, County Office - benefited as well). In total 1,143 counsels in sign language were given through online counseling. The experts prepared thematic videos on the subject of: changing legal provisions, important social events, health, education or materials translated at the request of the audience, which are available online (in total 642,051 views of 718 videos in sign language made available under the project). Services offered under the project were used mainly by deaf people using sign language from all across Poland (592 people). Other beneficiaries included employees of public institutions."
Summary of bilateral results