Workbook final

178 - Inclusion in the Training Institute for the Deaf

equalizent GmbH,

Austria

ONTACT

equalizent GmbH

Ms. Karin Eckert

Austria

+43 1 4098318

VERALL GOAL

MISSION

The goal is the education of deaf / hard of hearing people, who have a very bad educational standard because of the

Austrian, sound-linguistically oriented education system.

The project offers

classes in the native language of the deaf,

the Austrian Sign Language, so the students can catch up on missing content of education and be better integrated into

the labor market. They also open new occupational fields, while they pursue politically lobbying and offer preparation

courses for specific training (e.g. Kindergarten assistant, mechatronics, and dental technology). This concept of

"community college for the deaf" is worldwide unique.

The second focus is on diversity management. They conduct company-sensitization workshops and develop analysis

tools for businesses like diversity.management.Tool!

Above all, they live diversity: 15 of 43 employees are deaf. All employees must learn the sign language, so equalizent is a

bilingual company with ASL. This actual inclusion includes accessibility within the meaning of technical and construction

equipment / adaptations. The ASL classes for hearing people increase the number of ASL-users and raise awareness at

the same time for the deafness.

HE SOLUTION THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED

Equalizent offers relevant courses (e.g. languages, EDP, Conflict Resolution, European business license, warehouse work,

etc.) in the language of the deaf (in ASL). This is essential in order to understand the contents. In addition, there are

special classes for youth (application training, job orientation), which facilitate the access points in the world of work.

New courses are being developed constantly, one the hand to open new branches, where up to now deaf were

excluded. On the other hand further courses will be developed by taking the labor market situation and the needs of

(potential) course participants into account.

Sensitization workshops help companies to overcome the threshold for hiring deaf and enter with tools to ensure that

the cooperation between deaf and hearing staff works.