Forwarded to list at the request of the author. Please do not reply to
this message - thank you.

Further details can be found on the project website at:

http://www.wlv.ac.uk/~in5779

or by e-mailing Judith Mole <mailto:[log in to unmask])

----------------------

University of Wolverhampton
School of Art and Design
DfEE Innovations Funded Projects 2000 - 2001

Press Release

Extending education and career opportunities for the Deaf community with
particular reference to developing generic and subject specific language
skills

The School of Art and Design of the University of Wolverhampton has
recently commenced a number of unique new projects, which will enhance
the educational and career opportunities for the Deaf community.

The University of Wolverhampton currently has the largest number of
profoundly Deaf students of any higher education institution in Britain.
Within the University there is considerable expertise in working with
Deaf
people and teaching English as a second language to Deaf people. The
School of Art and Design has a large number of registered Deaf students
and the percentage of Deaf students entering the School has risen
steadily since 1996. The School is one of the few specialist providers
to accommodate a community of Deaf students.

Deaf students can be disadvantaged in their acquisition of English as
they
cannot learn spoken language by absorption. However, Deaf students have
another language, British Sign Language (BSL), which they can utilise to
access information and concepts. Art and design language and terminology
can be subjective and it relies on the understanding of Sign Language
interpreters to ensure the student receives accurate information. In
order to facilitate the clear understanding of BSL concepts in art and
design it is important to define and translate these concepts and make a
standardised BSL glossary available to the education sector.
Additionally, Deaf students' attainment in English must be further
developed alongside their language ability in BSL in order to maximise
education and career
opportunities for this group.

In order for Deaf students to gain maximum benefit from art and design
education, teaching, learning and assessment issues need to be examined
and staff need to be trained in working with Deaf students. Guidance in,
for example, dealing with sound editing in Electronic Media, or being
able to see an interpreter during a slide show, need to be disseminated
to staff and the sector as a whole. Additionally, employers need to be
made aware of the advantages of employing Deaf artists and
practitioners.

In order to facilitate this the UoW has received a DfEE grant to fund
projects which will achieve the following:

1. The research, development and accreditation an introductory year in
English for Deaf Learners which introduces specialist subject
orientation
in art and design;

2. The research and production of a web site which uses current art and
design students and Deaf practitioners to promote positive role models
for
Deaf students wishing to enter Higher Education;

3. The research and production of a 'specialist' British Sign Language
glossary to support undergraduate art and design study. This glossary
will
be developed to cover technical, critical, contextual and professional
practice terminology. This will be made available to the education
sector
through the internet;

4. The preparation and production of a Guidance and Support Pack and
Code of Practice for lecturers working with Deaf students;

The project has an information web site at: http://www.wlv.ac.uk/~in5779


Notice to editors: If you would like more information please contact
Judith
Mole, email: [log in to unmask], tel. 01629 540386 or 01902
321959 or fax on 01629 540820.

ENDS