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<p align="center"><strong>EU-Workshop: </strong>
<p align="center"><strong>"Steps Towards an Improvement of the
Participation</strong>
<p align="center"><strong> of Deaf Persons in the Information Society"</strong>
<p align="center"><strong>February 25 - 28 1999 KLAGENFURT</strong>
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<p align="center"><strong>FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT</strong>
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<p><u><strong>Aims</strong></u>:
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<p>The main goal of the workshop is to improve the participation of deaf people in social life. To
ensure this, barriers in everyday life shall be identified and suggestions for improvements made.
One reason for the limited participation is that deaf-related work is almost completely carried out
on a project basis and thus a continuous development in the interest of the deaf cannot set in. The
workshop should lead to a stronger coordination of deaf activities and research as well as to the
establishment of permanent structures for this work.
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<p>The workshop consists of two main parts:
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<p>1. <u>Taking stock of the current situation</u>:
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<p>-Participants from all the EU-countries will get the chance to exchange information on the
situation of the deaf in their respective countries. They will be asked to pay special attention
to regulations and hindrances specific to their countries.
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<p>-Representatives of national deaf organizations and deaf/hearing scientists will talk about
projects finished or in progress (concentrating on the topics of deaf education and sign
language), paying special attention to possible practical solutions.
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<p>A subsequent discussion shall lead to a collective evaluation of the situation of the deaf.
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<p>2. <u>Preparation of a final document</u>:
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<p>Having identified the concrete concerns of the deaf in this way, their requests and suggestions on
how to remedy the situation will be jointly formulated. Information and possible solutions will be
put together in a final document, which will then be delivered up to the European Commission as
well as to the individual EU-countries. This will hopefully result in an improved co-operation
between the deaf organizations, administrative authorities, social partners and non-governmental
organizations.
<p>A joint plan concerning the coordination of national activities to inform the public will be
prepared, aiming at a new attitude towards deaf persons and their sign language as well as their
problems.
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<p><strong><u>Participants</u></strong>:
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<p>Each of the EU-countries will be represented by a delegation consisting of deaf persons (with
interpreters) and deaf or hearing scientists. Additionally, there will be representatives of the
European Union of the Deaf (EUD) and of the organizers of the workshop.
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<p>The workshop is limited to a maximum number of 103 participants, composed as follows:
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<p>-3 deaf persons for the EU-countries with the largest population (Germany, France, Great
Britain, Italy and Spain)
<p>-2 deaf persons for any other EU-country
<p>-two scientists (preferably deaf) for each EU-country
<p>-2 interpreters for each EU-country
<p>-5 representatives of the EUD
<p>-5 representatives of the organizers (Österreichischer Gehörlosenbund, A-H, SEMA, SITC,
Research Center for Sign Language and the Communication of the Hearing-Impaired).
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<p><strong>There will be no fee for the workshop</strong>.
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<p><strong><u>Compensation</u></strong>:
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<p>The participants will receive some compensation for outlay:
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<p>-<u>Deaf persons</u> will receive free board as well as a contribution to lodging expenses (53 ECU
per day). Additionally, they will receive a contribution of 100 ECU to meet travel expenses.
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<p>-<u>Scientists</u> will receive free board as well as a contribution to lodging expenses (53 ECU per
day).
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<p>-<u>Interpreters</u> will receive a lump sum of 850 ECU each (estimated expenditure of work: 10
hours)
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<p><u><strong>Presentations</strong></u>:
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<p>Each of the EU-countries is scheduled for two presentations (of 20 minutes each):
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<p>-The deaf participants should present the situation of the deaf organizations and the sign
language of the respective country as well as make suggestions on necessary improvements
<p>-The scientists should present research on deaf issues, concentrating on results with practical
applications.
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<p>Afterwards, there will be a chance to discuss the presentations (10 minutes).
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<p>Anybody interested in giving a presentation should fill in the additional form 'Presentation' at the
end of the registration form. It is probable that - due to the limited number of participants - not
all topics can be dealt with in presentations; all of them, however, may be displayed visually at the
workshop, e.g. in the form of posters.
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<p>If certain technical equipment is needed for the presentation/display, this should be stated in the
form.
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<p><u><strong>Workshop languages</strong></u>:
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<p>Presentations may be held either in a national sign language or in English. Sign language
presentations will then be translated into English and from there into the other national sign
languages and International Sign.
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<p><u><strong>Guidelines for presentations</strong></u>:
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<p>In order to facilitate work for the interpreters as well as for the editorial staff of the final
document, we would ask you to prepare your presentation in advance of the workshop and to
send it to the Center for Sign Language Research and Communication of the Hearing-Impaired
(cf. contact address below): Submissions may be sent in written form (preferably in English) or
on video-tape (national sign language or International Sign with a spoken or written English
translation). A final date for the submissions will be given in the second announcement.
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<p>When preparing your presentation, please try to refer to the following topics (in order to avoid
repetitions, we would ask you to check the EU-study on the situation of deaf persons in Europe
"SIGN ON EUROPE" first):
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<p>-laws, political initiatives or concepts (on a national or regional level) with regard to:
<p> - sign language (official recognition and usage)
<p> - vocational integration and equal rights
<p> - social rights (e.g. legal claim to interpreting services, subtitles on TV)
<p> - education and educational methods
<p> + for deaf persons (children and adults of different age and social standing, including early
training ("Fruehfoerderung"), with emphasis on higher education and university studies
<p> + for deaf children of hearing or deaf parents
<p> + for hearing or deaf parents of deaf children
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<p>- services offered by private self-help organizations or private initiatives
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<p>Examples of interesting questions would be the following:
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<p>-Which laws refer to deaf people in your country?
<p>-Is sign language legally established in your country?
<p>-Are there any supportive measures for the education/vocational training of deaf people?
<p>-Which professions do deaf people choose?
<p>-Are there any supportive measures on the job (e.g. interpreters, counselling)?
<p>-Can you identify special problems for deaf people in everyday life?
<p>-What about art and deaf culture? How much do deaf persons participate in the culture of
hearing persons?
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<p>Moreover, we would like to know the point of view of your organization with regard to the
following questions:
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<p>-In your opinion, which regulations are (particularly) positive?
<p>-What would you criticize?
<p>-Name short- and long-term requests and needs of the deaf.
<p>-Name the main factors for positive and negative influences, e.g. do you think that there is a
relationship between educational methods and job chances of deaf persons?
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<p>Please try to comment extensively on the positive points so that they may serve as suggestions
for less advanced countries.
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<p><strong><u>Exhibition</u></strong>:
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<p>We are planning a small exhibition of deaf-related material during the workshop. Therefore we
would ask you to bring along (or send them in advance to the Center of Sign Language Research
and Communication of the Hearing-Impaired, cf. contact adress below) whatever relevant
material you can find in your country, e.g.:
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<p>-literature about deaf-related projects
<p>- course material (books, video-tapes, CD-ROMs)
<p>- references to newer deaf-specific studies
<p>- information on initiatives of the deaf and on deaf culture
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<p><strong><u>Duration of the workshop</strong></u>:
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<p>Presumably the workshop will start on Thursday, February 25 at 4.00 p.m. and end on Sunday,
February 28 at 12.00 o'clock.
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<p><strong><u>Second Announcement</u></strong>:
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<p>You will receive the second announcement in the second week of January, 1999.
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<p><strong><u>Contact addresses</u></strong>:
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<p>The Austrian Deaf Association ("Oesterreichischer Gehoerlosenbund") as main contractor will
<p>take care of the deaf participants. Therefore we would ask all <strong><u>deaf participants</u></strong> to address their
communication to them at:
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<p><strong> Oesterreichischer Gehoerlosenbund</strong>
<p><strong> Waldgasse 13</strong>
<p><strong> A-1100 Wien</strong>
<p><strong> AUSTRIA</strong>
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<p><strong> Fax: ++43 1 602 34 59</strong>
<p><strong> TTY: ++43 1 622 08 53</strong>
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<p>As for the <strong><u>hearing participants</u></strong>, for more information, questions or requests please contact us
at:
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<p> <strong>Center for Sign Language Research and Communication of the Hearing-Impaired</strong>
<p><strong> Department of Linguistics and Computer Linguistics</strong>
<p><strong> University of Klagenfurt</strong>
<p><strong> Universitaetsstrasse 65-67</strong>
<p><strong> A-9020 Klagenfurt</strong>
<p><strong> AUSTRIA</strong>
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<p><strong> Tel. ++43 463 27 00 - 474 or 348</strong>
<p><strong> Fax: ++43 463 27 00 - 351</strong>
<p><strong> E-mail: franz.dotter@uni-klu.ac.at</strong>
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<p align="center"><strong>REGISTRATION FORM</strong>
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<p>YES, I would like to participate in the <strong>EU-Workshop "Steps Towards an Improvement in
the Participation of Deaf Persons in the Information Society", February 25 - 28,
Klagenfurt.</strong>
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<p><strong>Name</strong>:___________________________________<strong>First Name</strong>:_________________________
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<p> DEAF HEARING
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<p><strong>Profession</strong>:__________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>Function in deaf organization, if any</strong>:____________________________________________
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<p><strong>Address</strong>:____________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>Post Code</strong>:_____________<strong>Town</strong>:________________________________________________
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<p><strong>Country</strong>:____________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>Fax</strong>:_______________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>E-mail</strong>:_____________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>TTY</strong>:_______________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>Tel.</strong>:_______________________________________________________________________
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<p>I want a: Single room
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<p> Two-bed room
<p> I would like to share the room with:__________________________________
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<p> Three-bed room
<p> I would like to share the room with:__________________________________
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<p>Please check the appropriate price category:
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<table border cellpadding=5 width="96%">
<tr>
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<p align="center"><strong>Single room</strong></td>
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<p align="center"><strong>Two-bed room</strong></td>
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<p align="center"><strong>Three-bed room</strong></td></tr>
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<td valign="top">26 ECU </td>
<td valign="top">23 - 27 ECU </td>
<td valign="top">18 ECU </td></tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">31 ECU </td>
<td valign="top">30 - 33 ECU </td>
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<tr>
<td valign="top">38 ECU </td>
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<tr>
<td valign="top">56 ECU </td>
<td valign="top">50 ECU </td>
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<tr>
<td valign="top">68 ECU </td>
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<p>All prices (per person) include breakfast. All rooms are with bathroom facilities.
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<p>Special diet, if any: Vegetarian
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<p> Other (please specify):______________________________________
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<p><strong>Date</strong>:__________________ <strong>Signature</strong>:____________________________________
<p align="center"><strong>PRESENTATION</strong>
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<p>YES, I want to give a presentation.
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<p><strong>Name</strong>:___________________________________<strong>First Name</strong>:_________________________
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<p> DEAF HEARING
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<p><strong>Topic:</strong> ___________________________________________________
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<p> ___________________________________________________
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<p> ___________________________________________________
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<p><strong>Summary of the presentation (voluntary):</strong>
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<p>_________________________________________________________________________
<p>_________________________________________________________________________
<p>_________________________________________________________________________
<p>_________________________________________________________________________
<p>_________________________________________________________________________
<p>_________________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>I need the following technical equipment:</strong>
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<p align="center"><strong>REGISTRATION FOR INTERPRETERS</strong>
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<p>YES, I would like to function as a sign language interpreter in the <strong>EU-Workshop "Steps
Towards an Improvement in the Participation of Deaf Persons in the
Information Society", February 25 - 28, Klagenfurt.</strong>
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<p><strong>Name</strong>:___________________________________<strong>First Name</strong>:_________________________
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<p> YES, I can translate a sign language presentation into spoken English.
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<p> YES, I am competent in International Sign.
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<p><strong>Address</strong>:____________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>Post Code</strong>:_____________<strong>Town</strong>:________________________________________________
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<p><strong>Country</strong>:____________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>Fax</strong>:_______________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>E-mail</strong>:_____________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>TTY</strong>:_______________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>Tel.</strong>:_______________________________________________________________________
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<p><strong>Date</strong>:__________________ <strong>Signature</strong>:____________________________________
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