Digital sign language online dictionary

Acronym of the case:

Spread the sign

Web address of the case:

http://www.spreadthesign.com

Country of the case:

United Kingdom

City/region:

Doncaster

Posting Date:

9 January 2009

Last Edited Date:

15 January 2009

Author:

Derek Morris (Doncaster Deaf Trust)

Deaf | sign-language | Hearing

Type of initiative

Project or service
Network
Promotion/awareness campaign

Case Abstract

Doncaster College for the Deaf is involved in a partnership to develop a website for deaf people wanting to visit or work in a different European country. The European International Project has developed a new digital/visual dictionary showing a wide range of everyday signs and vocational signs used in Woodwork, Construction, Catering and Hospitality. The site is user friendly, just search for a word and then click on the flag of the country to view the sign for that word in Czech, English, Lithuanian, Spanish, Swedish or Portuguese. â€˜Spread the Signâ€™ is a pilot project and is supported through the European Commissionâ€™s Leonardo da Vinci Language scheme.

Description of the case

Domain

eInclusion

Topic

(public) e-services for disadvantaged people

Sector

Education, Science and Research | Culture and Media

Start date - End date

October 2006 (Ongoing)

Date operational

September 2008

Target Users

People with disability

Target Users Description

Deaf, hard of Hearing or people with communication difficulties who use sign language. The aim of this project is to enhance job and travel opportunities for Deaf people who want to experience working or holidaying in other European Countries.

Scope

International

Status

Pilot

Language(s)

Policy Context and Legal Framework

Specialist college offering education for deaf people and those with communication difficulties.

Project Size and Implementation

Type of initiative

Training and education

Overall Implementation approach

Non-profit sector

Technology choice

Proprietary technology | Open source software

Funding source

Public funding EU | Charity, voluntary contributions

Project size

Implementation: €300-499,000

Implementation and Management Approach

A partnership between sign language specialists in all countries involved, coordinated by the Swedish partner.

Future development includes more countries being invited to contribute and additional vocational areas being added to the website.

Technology solution

To solve some of the technology problems our Swedish partners, who offer the technical expertise, have had to customise existing software.

Impact, innovation and results

Impact

The project is in it's infancy, but the number of hits on the web site is growing monthly. As more countries become involved and the marketing of the scheme is extended we expect this resource to continue to grow. There are almost no limits to the range of subjects that could be included.

Track record of sharing

Each partner has undertaken dissemination of the project within their own country and at international events.

Lessons learnt

Lesson 1 - Undertaking projects that involve filming and editing is extremely time consuming.

Lesson 2 - When volunteering for a project like this, consider all implications.

Lesson 3 - A web site of this type will never stop growing and will be used for reasons not originally planned but very diverse.

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