Our first transnational meeting was held in Heidelberg where we all had a warm welcome from the German partners. Over two days, the team reviewed all project areas and work packages. Sessions included discussions on raising dementia awareness in Deaf communities, adapting a dementia screening test for Austrian and Greek Sign Languages, and designing an accessible platform to support these adaptations. Ideas for promoting the project through social media were also shared.On the first day, activities concluded with a walk to Heidelberg Castle and a group dinner. The meeting wrapped up on the second day with a confirmation of plans and next steps, setting the team up for the project’s next phase.

The Italian partners- ONLUS- paid visits to several Deaf clubs all around Italy to spread information about Dementia in Italian Sign Language and raise awareness about this issue in the Deaf Community in Italy

Disseminating our project is very important for us!

Focus group interviews with Deaf participants were conducted directly in the sign language of each country to gather information and gain a better understanding of the knowledge of Deaf people about dementia, their access to healthcare services and suggestions to consider when designing training seminars for the Deaf community in our countries.

The Italian partners- ONLUS- paid visits to several Deaf clubs all around Italy to spread information about Dementia in Italian Sign Language and raise awareness about this issue in the Deaf Community in Italy

The third transnational meeting took place in sunny Thessaloniki in Greece and was organised by the Greek Alzheimer Association at the Saint Helen Centre. The results of the focus group interviews, the validation of the questionnaires, the project website and the platform for dementia tests were presented. The Greek and Austrian teams presented their progress in translating the dementia test into sign language.

What shouldn’t be missing on World Alzheimer’s Day? That’s right – our project! We want to raise awareness about dementia within Deaf communities. Equally important is informing everyone about our project so they can better understand the unique needs of Deaf individuals, as well as respect their culture and language, especially when it comes to dementia. This year, World Alzheimer’s Day coincides with the International Week of the Deaf (September 23–29, 2024). A sign that it’s time to focus on the intersection of deafness and dementia – perfect timing!

On November 27, 2024, we’ll meet in the Assembly Hall at Haus der Vereine, where Ege will present on dementia in German Sign Language, with interpreters available for full accessibility.

The upcoming seminar in Ulm, Germany, is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about dementia in the Deaf Community of Germany.