18 February 2009

For immediate release

Blind and partially sighted adults learning languages

Education, skills and the ability to make a positive contribution to civil society are key to social inclusion. It is therefore crucial that teaching and training processes adequately address blind and partially sighted people’s specific needs.

With the financial support of the Education and Culture DG of the European Commission, the European Blind Union (EBU) is leading a two-year project looking into how languages can be taught most effectively to visually impaired adults. The project involves three other partners from countries of the EBU network: the Pancyprian Organisation of the Blind, the Czech Blind United, and the Slovak Blind and Partially Sighted Union.

Learners in both mainstream and specialised settings will be a central part of the project with a view to conducting an effective and grounded assessment. A fact finding study will be carried out and guidelines and recommendations for effective educational practices will be published.

EBU is looking forward to conducting this project which supports the exchange of experience and expertise among education professionals at European level and promotes educational opportunities for all.

The European Blind Union is a non-governmental European organisation representing, protecting and promoting the interests of blind and partially-sighted people in Europe.