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The Usability Day VII will take place in Dornbirn on March 06, 2009. The focus of this event is on assistive and barrier-free technologies. The JOS project will be presented with a scientific paper.
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The focus of the eLearning conference is the presentation and discussion of different projects related to eLearning. Moreover some workshops will be provided. |
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On 10 December 2008 bfi Steiermark will host the JOS Dissemination Conference under the motto “Sign language in vocational education and training”. The conference will give an overview of the project work done with regard to a holistically-oriented training for mechatronic engineers for the target group that will be comparable on a European level. Since a central cause for the problems in the training field for the target group are a lack of sign-language-supported trainings, the JOS project was able to set an active sign by introducing an innovative approach. |
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On 2th December, CREA participated in the conference "Labour integration of
disabled people" organised by the Employment Institute of Aragón (INAEM).
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The European Academy of Digital Media (EADiM) provides an infrastructure for sharing and networking expertise among the nominees, winners and jurors of the EUROPRIX contest. Once a year a conference takes place, where the JOS project will be presented with a scientific paper.
26th November 2008, Graz, AT
With the support of the 'JOS competence box for the Hearing' in self-study phases, the workshop was held on 26 November 2008. Trainer Heide Stalzer, a representative of the Deaf community, gave relevant explanations to provide a deeper insight into the study content.
The outcomes of the training included positive knowledge transfer for the Hearing with regard to:
- the culture of the Deaf in general,
- the language of the Deaf and communication culture,
- thinking patterns of Deaf people, and
- learning patterns of the Deaf.
21th November 2008, Graz, AT
On 21 November 2008, the JOS PILOT course started at bfi Steiermark. Seven Deaf students registered for the course that was held by two trainers (Franz Dunkl for Electronics Basics and DI Klaus Lakata for AutoCAD). The training comprised a five-days classroom training (between 21 Nov. and 11 Dec.) with the JOS Study DVD as a support. Furthermore, there were also self-study phases where students got the possibility to work with the JOS Study DVD on their own.
Considering quality assurance, the following selected pieces of content of the JOS mechatronics training, amongst others, were trained:
- basic knowledge of electronics,
- installing electrical and electronical components into mechatronical modules and
- computer aided design (CAD).
14th to 15th November 2008, Graz, AT
On 14 and 15 November 2008, bfi Steiermark carried out the pedagogical workshop for mechatronics trainers as part of the JOS project. The workshop included two days of training and one day of self-study phase and was held at bfi Steiermark, Training Centre Graz West. The trainer was Reinhold Töglhofer, a representative of the Deaf community.
It was the aim of the workshop to provide trainers in the JOS pilot course, and further interested trainers, sufficient pedagogical knowledge, skills and competences to be able to implement the training measures and work placements efficiently.
The outcomes of the training included positive knowledge transfer for mechatronics trainers with regard to:
- insights into the culture and language of the Deaf,
- insight into the learning and thinking strategies of the Deaf,
- practical exercise to train special competences in dealing with the Deaf, and
- training in the cooperation with sign language interpreters.
On 13 and 20 November 2008, bfi Steiermark carried out the two 4-hour sensitisation workshops for the Deaf target group of the project. Trainers present at these workshops were Heidi Stalzer, Franz Dunkl and DI Klaus Lakata. The project was represented by Robert Schuen, project management JOS.
It was the aim of the workshops to give Deaf people who are interested in taking part in the mechatronics pilot course some basic linguistic, cultural and content-related knowledge, skills and competences to be able to take up the training measures and work placements as smoothly as possible.
The outcomes of the two workshops included positive knowledge transfer for the Deaf with regard to:
- the JOS mechatronics training,
- sign language peculiarities of the JOS mechatronics training,
- training procedures and communicative challenges,
- work procedures and communicative challenges, and
- organisation and administration standards in educational institutions and enterprises.
From November 12 -15 the “Interpaedagogica” took place in Graz. It is the largest school- and educational fair in Austria. This event is targeted towards teachers, representatives of school authorities, educational staff and anyone interested in the latest teaching and learning material. The JOS project was presented at the booth of the Austrian department of education, art and culture (“BMUKK – Bundesministerium für Unterricht, Kunst und Kultur”).
The long night of research is an event, where everyone can visit the Austrian universities and research studios to see their work. We presented the JOS project at FH JOANNEUM, where about 350 visitors were present.
On 16 October 2008, bfi Steiermark hosted the second Round Table as part of the JOS project and was very pleased to welcome representatives of „Arbeitsassistenz für Hörgeschädigte”, an organisation that supports Deaf people at the workplace.
Project Manager Michaela Meier and Heide Stalzer presented the JOS project results and informed on the planned workshops for the Hearing and for the trainers. The implementation potential of the JOS pilot course for the target group was discussed.
“Arbeitsassistenz für Hörgeschädigte” kindly agreed to support the JOS project by passing on relevant information to the target group in the Province of Styria.
Teachers from different schools and universities met at this event to discuss about new ways of teaching and using web 2.0 techniques in education. The JOS project was presented to demonstrate an eLearning application for deaf people, which can be used for different languages and lectures and can be compared at an European level.
On 18 and 19 September 2008, the transnational JOS partnership came together in Graz (AT) for their fourth partner meeting. During this meeting the main focus was put on achieving the planned project outcomes. Therefore, the participants were presenting, discussing and evaluating the following items with regard to the various work packages and products:
-) building up competences and preparation for the Deaf
-) building up competences and preparation for the Hearing
-) additional pedagogical education for mechatronics trainers
-) implementing quality standards for educational institutions and enterprises
-) JOS pedagogical workshop
First modification suggestion regarding already existing products were discussed and prepared for implementation. The points of views of the individual nations were discussed and implemented to give the prodocts a truly European dimension. Furthermore, clear structures and procedures were created for the implementation of the pilot trainings in the Czech Republic, in Italy and Austria.
Relationship with representative of companies of Mechatronics, different enterprises and with exhibitors of Mechatronics at Research to Business
On the 15th and 16h of May 2008 the bfi Steiermark was invited to attend the Austrian-Hungarian labourmarket conference in Szombathely. The conference theme were the difference of systems about the inclusion of persons with handicaps in Austria and Hungary. We used this huge network to inform interested persons about our EU-projects.
The bfi Steiermark welcomed colleagues of Sweden who were highly interested in learning about EU-projects and especially getting in touch with the project partners of JOS.
The bfi Steiermark hosted guests from Turkey from the 17th – 18th of April. The Turkish colleagues are working with the Labour Market Service as well as the prime ministery of Turkey and were very interested in the project JOS.
To present running project and to discuss the risen problems of the issues solved in projects. Specialists, who are working with disabled people
Share information on the project process JOS with ANUMU (National Association for Italian –Sign Language translators) and to Fondazione GUALANDI
Presentation of the project JOS at “Expolingua 2007” with the National agency of European Educational Programs NAEP and guests at the awarding of Prize LABEL in Prague
Share information on the project process JOG with ANUMU (National Association for Italian –Sign Language translators) and to Fondazione GUALANDI
3rd transnational project meeting in Siauliai, Lithuania >> download agenda >>
The Austrian State secretary Heidrun Silhavy visited bfi Steiermark on the 7th of September 2007.
Accompanied by Dr. Wilhelm Techt, Managing Director of bfi Steiermark, Mrs. Silhavy was introduced to the wide range of education and training programmes offert by bfi Steiermark.
As the former spokesperson of handcapped people, Mrs. Silhavy is still a strong supporter with regards to the needs of people with disabilities.
She was very pleased with the commitment of bfi Steiermark in this area.
Opening-event of the new bfi training centre for office, IT, management and logistics in Graz;
bfi-employees, who are working in different EU-projects, took the opportunity to present their projects to representatives from national authorities, labour market offices and institutions working with people
with handicaps. Michaela Meier informed about the activities in the JOS project.
Article in the austrian magazine "Korso" about the JOS project >> download article >>
Autonomy, Dependency and Disability Fair, Spain
Mr. Jorge Alonso, Director of International Department from CREA, participated in an open
meeting on the topic of disabilities, dependency and autonomy and informed also about the JOS project.
Article in the Italian magazine "ASPHInforma" about the JOS project >> download article >>
Siauliai labour market training and counselling office (Lithuania) has organised a round table meeting. The main aim of the meeting was to inform about the JOS project activities and results. They introduced the project to national organisations who are working with deaf people and who are interested in project activities innovation and results. The Round table participants were from many different organisations from Siauliai and Vilnius (Siauliai labour market training and counselling office, Vilnius Deaf people rehabilitation vocational education centre, Vilnius Deaf people rehabilitation centre, Siauliai Deaf people rehabilitation centre, Siauliai deaf association, Siauliai hard of hearing club "Auditus", Siauliai disabled people business development centre). The members of the Organisations were very interested in project activities and they would like to take part in project activities in national level, also to get international contact for future collaboration between deaf organisations.
From 30th of November to 2nd of December 2006, ASPHI organised HANDImatica, the national conference-exhibition focused on disability and ICT.
HANDImatica, organized in co-operation with the Emilia-Romagna Region and the University of Bologna – department of Science of Education, is addressed to Disabled people and the individuals who work with them: family members, school personnel educators, health-care and social services staff, rehabilitation personnel, people involved in associations and social projects; companies and economic operators that are active in rehabilitation, with assistive technology for the disabled; associations, public and private agencies, vocational training centers, companies and representatives of the business world; public administrators and individuals interested in understanding and learning about the problems of the disabled and possible solutions.
The partners from ASPHI and ANASTASIS informed during press conferences about the JOS project and distributed descriptions of the project to deaf people.
Tanja Billek and Michaela Meier presented the project with his aims and activities during the event. There have been guests from national organisations, associations, national authorities, experts with disabilities, social partners and corporate clients of bfi, who demonstrated great interest concerning the progress of the project .
The first transnational meeting of the partners of the Leonardo Da Vinci project “JOS – job open with sign language” took place in Graz, Austria the 03./04. November 2006. Wilhelm Techt, managing director and Tanja Billek, responsible project manager from bfi gave a warm welcome to the project partners from Italy, Austria, Lithuania and England.
The meeting was very successful due to the enthusiasm and interest demonstrated by the partners.
Once the formalities were completed a productive and informative discussion took place. One of the decisions that was taken at the meeting was the approval of the project logo and the design of the website.
During the meeting the partners participated also in the interesting workshop “Professional Fundraising and Lobbying”, held by Helmut Heinzel, an recognized Austrian Expert in the field of fundraising.
download the video of the 1st Meeting in Graz (*.wmv/3,4MB)>>