📅 Deafability Research Timeline: Understanding Deaf Learners’ Needs in Sustainability Education 🍃


📊 Summary of the research timeline:


The Deafability project is now entering one of its most important stages — the research and survey phase — where we listen directly to deaf individuals and professionals to understand what they want to learn about sustainability, nature, and green living.

Between October 2025 and April 2026, our partners — UENPD (Latvia), A Ruota Libera APS (Italy), and the Lithuanian Association of the Deaf (LKD) — will work together to collect insights that will guide the design of the Deafability e-learning modules and educational videos.


🧩 October–December 2025 – Research Preparation

In late 2025, the consortium focuses on preparing all research materials.
 Partners are designing the survey and expert interview templates, creating accessible consent forms, and planning visual and sign-language adaptations to make participation easy for everyone.
 This phase ensures that our research is inclusive, ethical, and representative of the deaf community’s needs.


📚 December 2025–February 2026 – Research and Expert Interviews

During winter 2025–2026, each partner will conduct interviews with educators, interpreters, and NGO professionals who work with deaf learners.
 These conversations will help identify the main challenges and opportunities in environmental and sustainability education for deaf audiences.
 The aim is to gather practical recommendations for how teachers and trainers can make sustainability topics more accessible.


📝 January–March 2026 – Surveys Across Europe

At the same time, UENPD will coordinate an online survey for deaf participants across Europe.
 The questionnaire will ask about preferred learning methods, accessibility needs, and interest in sustainability themes — such as recycling, biodiversity, climate change, or outdoor survival skills.
 This data will provide a direct understanding of what deaf learners want to study and how they prefer to do it.


📊 March–April 2026 – Compilation and Analysis

By early spring 2026, all findings from interviews and surveys will be combined into a Unified Methodology Report.
 This report will outline learning priorities, accessibility guidelines, and recommendations for educators and policymakers.
 The results will serve as the foundation for creating the upcoming Deafability e-learning platform and educational videos.


🌍 Looking Ahead

Through this research, Deafability aims to ensure that every learning resource we design reflects the real voices and interests of the deaf community.
 By spring 2026, we will have a clear, evidence-based understanding of how to make sustainability education truly inclusive — ensuring that deaf learners are not only participants, but also leaders in building a greener future. 💚🤟