3D4DEAF-Promoting digital transformation and social innovation in VET for better access of deaf students to the labour market

<< Background >>We applied for this project to address the need of promoting social inclusion and improve the outreach to people with fewer opportunities focusing on people with deafness/hearing impairments aged 15-21, emphasising girls. The 3D4DEAF project aimed to foster the educational inclusion of deaf and hearing-impaired students by leveraging innovative 3D printing technologies, digital tools, and social entrepreneurship. The project promoted access to the labour market for deaf students, focusing on digital and entrepreneurial skills development. The main objective was to develop a Training programme for VET teachers and school students with deafness or hearing impairments to upgrade their 3D, coding, digital and social entrepreneurial skills to meet the needs of the digital labour market and foster equal opportunities. The project was aligned with the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights and ‘The right of persons with disabilities to benefit from measures designed to ensure their independence, social and occupational integration and participation in community life.<< Objectives >>The main objective was to develop VET programmes that offer a balanced mix of vocational skills targeting people with lower opportunities and create work-based learning well aligned to all economic cycles, evolving jobs and working methods and key competences especially coding, 3D and digital, which are greatly needed in Industry 4.0 careers. Moreover the project was to foster the educational inclusion of deaf and hearing-impaired students by leveraging innovative 3D printing technologies, digital tools, and social entrepreneurship. The VET Programme supported digital transformation plans of vocational education and training (VET) towards digital education. Specifically, 3D4DEAF supported the purposeful use of digital technologies in the VET sector for both students and educators.<< Implementation >>The project included five key work packages. WP1 focused on coordination, cooperation, and monitoring among partners. The Quality Assurance Plan and Dissemination Plan were created. Partners conducted monthly online meetings to monitor project progress (https://3d4deafproject.eu/meetings/). In WP2 the Dual Training Pack was created, which integrates 3D technologies into teaching for sustainable development. In WP3 the cloud-based platform and mobile application for e-learning, assessment, and community building was developed. WP4 delivered the Augmented Reality (AR) game to support the development of entrepreneurial skills and training mobility. WP5 covered dissemination efforts including 7 Multiplier Events, including a final conference in Poland. Dissemination materials (6 newsletters, a leaflet ) in partners languages and the project results are available on the project website: https://3d4deafproject.eu/. << Results >>WP1 - partners ensured efficient coordination, cooperation and monitoring; partners submitted financial reports every 6 months; all meetings and results were evaluated in accordance with quality assurance plan;WP2 - Practical Guidebook, Videos and Infographics;WP3 - Cloud-Based Platform and Mobile App;WP4 - Augmented Reality (AR) Game and Roadmap WP5 - dissemination efforts targeted the project’s key audiences. Dissemination were supported by 7 Multiplier Events, including a final conference in Poland ( participants in total). Dissemination materials (6 newsletters, a leaflet ) in partners languages and the project results are available on the project website: https://3d4deafproject.eu/.