This resource establishes European standards for sign languages for professional purposes in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and provides an overview of assessment descriptors and approaches.
Available in English, Czech, Estonian, German, Icelandic, Slovenian and in sign language
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Read some interesting facts about sign language.
Available in 28 languages.
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Do you know the European country names in international sign language?
Available in English and French.
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Common European Framework of Reference: Companion Volume with New Descriptors provides new descriptors for sign language.
Recommendation 1598 (2003) on the protection of Sign languages in the member states of the Council of Europe
The Council of Europe adopted in 2006 a recommendation on an Action plan to promote the rights and full participation of people with disabilities in society. The action plan is the result of a political commitment undertaken by several European countries in 2003, European Year of People with Disabilities. Since the beginning of this process, the European Disability forum has actively been involved in the drafting of the plan. The action plan is comprehensive and addresses all areas of life of persons with disabilities.
There are an estimated one million deaf people in the member states of the Council of Europe. The present report, based on information provided by member states' governments and by NGOs, gives an overview of the recognition of sign languages in twenty-six European states. It also summarises policies and programmes which have been developed by member states to ensure sign language users access to their political, social and cultural rights.
Available in English.
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This paper describes the needs of sign language users in Europe and offers practical and concrete recommendations which aim to grant this linguistic minority full access to and participation in society based on equal rights.