1 Partners: Deaf Literacy Initiative, The Canadian Hearing Society & George Brown College November 24, 2010 LBS Capacity Assessment Report A Collaborative Partnership Deaf Literacy Initiative also gratefully acknowledges the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities whose support has made this research possible.

2 LBS Capacity Assessment - Background Capacity Assessment: definition of capacity why a capacity assessment is essential Advisory committee members: DLI CHS, and GBC (additional support: AlphaPlus and MTCU) Hired Researcher: Dr. Sherida Ryan

3 LBS Capacity Assessment - Process Research Assistant Survey (technology capacity) Interviews: Managers at LBS programs DLI Conference: 14 Deaf and DeafBlind Literacy Programs Mayfest in Toronto and Ottawa Data Analysis Research – Technology for eLearning & eChannel (Gallaudet trip)

4 LBS Capacity Assessment - Findings Environmental scan: Questions Asked What is eChannel for the Deaf: Vision and Want What current skills are available for a successful Deaf eChannel: Technical Capacity and Skills What are the Challenges: Budget, Demographics, Needs/Accommodations etc

5 LBS Capacity Assessment - Findings eChannel for the Deaf Stream Vision: High Speed for Video Application – use ASL on all screens Accommodate all needs (practitioners and learners) Include DeafBlind Want - Practitioner PD/Training: Teaching ASL/English, Principles of Andragogy, Essential Skills, Online teaching environment Standards for practitioner proficiency in ASL/English Common assessment – consistent ASL/English assessment procedures and lesson planning etc

6 LBS Capacity Assessment - Findings eChannel for the Deaf Stream Want – Network Development: Sharing resources, training modules, teaching etc

7 LBS Capacity Assessment - Findings Current Skills Technical capacity skills: All programs have access to unlimited high speed broadband 75% of learners have access to computers at home Most practitioners and learners rate computer skills at beginner to intermediate

8 LBS Capacity Assessment - Findings What are the Challenges All programs report limited resources Time Budget Technical skills Technology (high speed, video streaming, IT support etc) ASL/English competencies Accommodating complex needs and accessibility

9 LBS Capacity Assessment - Recommendations Development of an eChannel for the Deaf Stream (practitioners/learners) Establish a Deaf Advisory Committee Goals of eChannel: multipurpose, sensitive to deaf culture, employed for socialization, community building, e-learning, and PD Video application on all online environments Establish partnerships (literacy community and larger community) Develop PD for practitioners and ASL/English assessment toolkit First users of eChannel are practitioners Develop long-range plan for creation of educational content for learners

10 LBS Capacity Assessment – Next Steps Send final report to MTCU Follow up with MTCU for the next phase(s)

11 LBS Capacity Assessment Questions & Wrap up

12 Thank you!!!