Developing an advocacy training for deaf adults from Belgium and France

We applied for this project to address the critical needs faced by the deaf community in civic engagement and advocacy. Deaf individuals encounter barriers that hinder their full participation in society and decision-making processes. These barriers stem from a lack of accessible information and communication on civic engagement and politics. Deaf individuals often lack knowledge about advocacy strategies and good practice examples, preventing them from engaging effectively with decision-makers. This project aimed to provide participants with the tools and skills required for effective advocacy actions and constructive engagement with decision-makers. We sought to empower deaf individuals and ensure that they could advocate for their rights and be heard. Moreover, we noticed that existing human rights advocacy training programs within the European Union were not accessible to deaf people due to format and cultural gaps. This inaccessibility resulted in the underrepresentation of deaf individuals in such training. We aimed to bridge this accessibility gap by creating a training program that is fully accessible and culturally adapted to deaf participants, enabling them to engage with the content effectively.

The project had four main objectives: 1. Our primary goal was to empower 12 deaf participants from France and Belgium with essential skills and competencies in advocating for their rights. We aimed to enhance their capacity to make their voices heard in decision-making processes. 2. We aimed to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge of decision-making processes and advocacy strategies from lobbying to civil disobedience, and with civic engagement and activism. 3. Our project focused on teaching participants how to engage with decision-makers and other stakeholders such as citizens and civil society. 4. The project also aimed to offer hands-on experience in applying advocacy strategies. This practical exposure was vital for preparing participants to take on future leadership roles within their communities and effectively advocate for their rights and the rights of others. Additionally, the participating organisations, Empoway and Les Yeux pour Entendre, wanted to achieve this objective: 5. The project set out to create an innovative transnational training program, by implementing Non Formal Education methods in an advocacy training that is culturally and linguistically made by and for deaf people.

In our project, we organized a three-day transnational project meeting in Massy, France, from 18 to 20 October 2022. This meeting established the project's foundation, cooperation framework, and training content. The meeting included the participation of three trainers from Empoway, including the project coordinator, and one trainer and one media officer from Les Yeux pour Entendre. The core activity was a six-day advocacy training in Brussels, Belgium, from 15 to 20 January 2023. Twelve participants, six from France and six from Belgium, learned from a team of 5 trainers and 3 external trainers on advocacy strategies, developed action plans, and practiced them in Brussels. The training concluded with the development of advocacy preparation tools that are now available on the Erasmus+ project results platform. In the follow-up phase of the project, participants had three to six months to implement their actions and share the outcomes. These activities aimed to empower participants to become effective advocates and engage with decision-makers.

The project achieved significant outcomes: 1. Advocacy Skills: Deaf participants developed essential advocacy skills, enhancing communication, negotiation, and persuasion for decision-makers and civil engagement. 2. Decision-Making Understanding: Participants gained foundational knowledge of decision-making processes at various levels, enabling effective interaction with decision-makers. 3. Practical Strategy Application: Participants practiced advocacy strategies, including civil engagement and activism, equipping them for societal engagement and raising awareness. 4. Efficient Organizational Advocacy: Participants can now advocate effectively within their organizations, promoting deaf community rights. 5. Knowledge Sharing: Participants' experiences benefit the broader deaf community, offering insights into effective advocacy, civic engagement, and activism. 6. Tailored Training Materials: Empoway and Les Yeux pour Entendre (YPE) developed specialized training materials for deaf adults, enhancing their advocacy skills. 7. Knowledge Sharing and Exchange: Empoway and YPE successfully exchanged expertise and knowledge in advocacy, non-formal education, and training development, strengthening their capacities.