Career Paths Inclusive 2.0

The aim of Career Paths Inclusive 2.0 (CPI 2) was to design, develop and test digital multimedia career guidance tools in sign languages. Deaf youth can plan their career paths unaided or in a supported setting (training) in their first language (sign) and are empowered and informed in their choice of future career. Through CPI 2, we want to address the priorities, particularly relevant for deaf youth: Strengthening employability, inclusion and addressing digital transformation. They experience linguistic barriers to participation in education and training systems throughout their lives (WHO 2021, p.46). Structural and linguistic limitations in education systems mean little or no bilingual instruction is available in schools throughout Europe. Most deaf children learn reading and writing without reference to sign language. Deaf youth often finish compulsory schooling with low literacy levels and few qualifications. Deaf students often demonstrate a lack of career planning (WHO 2021, p.46f), a lack of information about the job application process and a lack of employed deaf role models (Accessible Work 4 All 2020, Napier et. al. 2020, Hoogeveen 2015).

CPI 2 is a follow on project from the highly successful Career Paths Inclusive (2019 – 2021) project to design, develop and test digital multimedia career guidance tools in sign language. The overall objective is to contribute to deaf youth empowerment and the realisation of articles 21 and 24 of the UN CRPD. The specific goal remains to inform and empower deaf youth, enabling them to plan their own career paths unaided or within a training setting through the provision of accessible career guidance information in their first language (sign language). We developed the Career Paths toolkit during the first project phase, which consists of an interest profile in Sign Language and numerous career orientation videos in 4 Sign Languages. CPI 2 augments the existing toolkit, adding additional resources and languages. We developed four work packages: Output 1 consists of step-by-step explanation. Output 2 consists of 40 videos in sign language about additional professions. Output 3 is a training course about deepening the topics of IO1. Output 4, the partnership developed an evaluation and guidelines on how to assess the quality of sign language.

We implemented activies related to project management, developd our project outputs, worked on disseminating information regarding the project in general and then later, concentrated on disseminating the project outputs. Towards the end of the project, the aim of dissemination shifted to focus on our multuplier events, exploitation, sustainability and transfer within the networks we have built up. Concerning project management, we developed a work plan, Gantt chart, LFA, wuality management plan, sustainability plan, and submitted financial and narrative reports to the National agency. Activities relating to the development of the outputs are as follows: Output 1 consists of 8 animated video tutorials providing careers guidance information on topics relevant for deaf youth looking for a job. Output 2 consists of 40 career guidance videos in 4 sign languages (160 videos) which focus on the daily tasks of a particular job, presented by a deaf role model. The careers and interview subjects were carefully chosen to augment the videos already available. The Dutch and Italian sign language version of CHECK YOUR PROFILE was filmed and added to the platform. Output 3 Consists of a training course based on the topics of the tutorial videos in Output 1. A curriculum and a handbook were produced and piloted by 10 deaf youth in each country. Output 4 is the development of an evaluation tool and guidelines on how to measure the quality of the sign language content. An information video was filmed at the MEs in each country, showcasing the outputs and the skills and achievements of the deaf youth themselves. To ensure the inclusion of the deaf community in all project outputs, we hosted regular meetings with deaf job seekers and stakeholders/associated partners to collect feedback and thest the quality of our outputs (working and focus groups) Concerning dissemination, we developed a project identity and dissemination plan, created a project website and posted regularly on social media, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and reached a large audience.

Our results were as follows: Output 1: 8 animated video tutorials providing career guidance information on following topics: Self-reflection, Job searching strategies, Letter of application, CV, Preparation for the job interview, F.A.Q at a job interview, Self-presentation, First month of a new job. Output 2: 40 new job videos selected from 10 fields of work from the first project (office, health, production & manufacture, information technology, pedagogy, gastronomy, agriculture, skills, craft & trades, services) Output 3: A blended learning training package was develeopbed based on the topics of the tutorial videos from Output 1. 5 modules were selcted (Ready for the fun, The first steps, Show yourself, Good preperation is half the work, Work work work) and each partner developed one module including materials (worksehets) Output 4: The evaluation and guidelines on how to assess the quality of sign language in project outputs were developed. We identified the followig indicators to assess whether we had achieved out results: - By 2024, more than 100 deaf youth have used the tools independently - By the end of the project, 20 deaf youth have acquired transferable skills - By the end of the project, 80% of deaf youth participants express greater empowerment 12 institutes, organisations and schools use the tools in their training programmes - 32 animated video tutorials about the job application process are available - 20 deaf youth have tested the tools - 20 institutes are informed about the tools and have tested them - CHECK YOUR PROFILE is available in Dutch/Italian - 40 career guidance videos in 4 sign languages are available - 20 deaf youth have tested the tools - 20 institutes are informed about the tools and have tested them - A training curriculum is based on a blended learning methodology is available in English, German, Slovak, Dutch and Italian - A digital handbook has been developed including digital training materials and is downloadable in English, German, Italian, Dutch and Slovak - Piloting has taken place in 4 countries and 40 deaf youth have acquired new skills - 4 MEs have taken place - 80% of the user feedback is positive - Effective dissemination of the project goals, activities and outputs has taken place - Guidelines are available in English, German, Italian, Dutch and Slovak - The evaluation of CPI/CPI2 is available in English, German, Italian, Dutch and Slovak