The first and preferred language of the Deaf in Poland is Polish sign language. Absence of information materials translated into sign language hinders taking up social activity in non-governmental organizations by deaf people. For already active deaf persons it is difficult to understand procedures, regulations and specificity of running a NGO.
The aim of the project was to increase social activity of deaf persons in the field of non-governmental organizations and self-organization through assuring counseling and support for 3 organizations and preparation of a package of films translated into sign language.
Thanks to the project realization a tutorial on NGOs in sign language was created. 169 pieces of advice on-line were given.
The tutorial for persons interested in running an association or a foundation consists in 82 films available at the Internet site: http://resgest.pl/ngo/ and in a form of DVD. The tutorial has been sent to institutions supporting NGO activities in Poland and to NGO acting for the benefit of deaf persons. Within the project 169 pieces of advice were given via Internet communicators Skype and ooVoo and via E-mail. Three organizations acting for the benefit of deaf persons in Warsaw, Lublin and Biłgoraj received expert support – help in preparing strategic documents, sorting out legal and accounting questions, and obtaining financial resources on the statutory goals.
Direct beneficiaries of the project were 73 deaf persons using sign language, who benefited the advice, and 20,811 persons, who have watched the information videos. In addition, 3 non-governmental organizations run by deaf persons benefited the project.