Books in sign language for deaf children

We have been invited by UNICEF to work on accessible educational materials for deaf children

The Videobooks reached many parts of the world and became referents for the realization of other educational materials for deaf children. We are proud that an institution as renowned as UNICEF has called us to present our books in Sign Language as a model for the development of accessibilty for deaf children.

The invitation is part of an initiative by UNICEF for the production of accessible formats of the manuals children use at school for all disabled children. The main objective is that all children, regardless of whether they have a disability or what type of disability they have, have access and use the same reading materials as all children.

The "Universal Design for learning materials through digital textbooks accessible" program, is an initiative led by UNICEF to establish guidelines for the production of digital textbooks that are accessible to children and adolescents who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, that use a second language at school, or children who have an intellectual disability and / or learning difficulties.

This year, UNICEF requested to Canales the organization in Buenos Aires of a meeting with deaf education experts, representatives of the deaf community and sign language interpreters of Paraguay, Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina. The meeting lasted 3 full days in which 20 people worked to develop a protocol that serves as the basis for the realization of educational manuals in different sign languages.

Last August, we participated in a meeting in New York organized by the department of disability at the central headquarters. The goal was to share the results of the meetings held in Buenos Aires for deaf children, in Uruguay for blind and low vision children, in Brazil for children with intellectual disabilities and learning problems and in Paraguay for children whose first language is Guarani. In this meeting also participated people of the Unicef office in NY, people Inclusion International (Canada) and India.

Why is this project important? Because based on this protocol we are going to be able to produce accessible and quality educational materials for all children with disabilities.

What are the characteristics that must have an educational material for deaf children?

It must be respectful of sign language grammar, the content should not be simplified, and above all, the same deaf people should participate in its production.

This is another step we are taking in Canales for deaf children in Argentina and around the world to access books and literature!

Our projects of reading promotion for deaf children are increasingly known through the interest shown by the mass media and the awards we have received for our work.

Our project “Stories for deaf children in the hands of older deaf adults” received the First VivaLectura Award 2015 in the category Digital Sites. This award was established in order to stimulate, encourage and pay tribute to the most outstanding experiences in the promotion of reading. It is an initiative of the National Ministry of Education and the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), with the support of the cooperation of the Santillana Foundation.

The prize-giving event was very exciting for all participants and it ended with a “deaf style” applause throughout the auditorium.(see pictures)

Additionally, for the second consecutive year, our Videobooks in Argentine Sign Language project has been selected among the WISE (World Innovation Summit for Education) awards finalists.

The WISE Awards, launched by the Qatar Foundation under the leadership of its president, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, recognize and promote initiatives of social entrepreneurs who offer innovative solutions to the big challenges of global education solutions.

The finalists of the WISE Awards are concrete examples of best educational practices that make a positive impact on individuals and communities. Covering a wide range of educational issues, projects are intended to serve as an example to inspire social innovators around the world.

"For the children and young deaf people can find books and stories in their natural language, sign language Argentina, have created www.videolibros.org, free and free site to promote literature, culture, access to information and the pleasure of reading, "says Silvana Veinberg, director and founder of Canales Civil Association.

The 15 finalists of the 2015 WISE Awards Pre-evaluated by a jury of education experts internationally recognized, have implemented an innovative approach with a real impact in their communities, which can be replicated in other regions.

The projects have been presented in the International Book Fair in Buenos Aires,  in SeÑALEES Seminar in Mexico, and in the newspaper El Cisne.

On the other hand, some news stories helped us spread our projects and the situation of deaf children.

We invite you to see the notes on these websites:

http://bit.ly/1HcAArc - Journal of Chile on videobooks

http://bit.ly/1fdWfTC  - A journey through the life of Canales’ projects and Canales’ Director.

HELP US SPREAD VIDEOBOOKS! The more known Videobooks are, the more books we can make.