Context/background of the projectDeaf people working as sign language interpreters is a relatively new professional field. Deaf Interpreters are typically used as relay interpreters to interpret for consumers with special linguistic needs, or as interpreters between two signed languages or between one sign language and international signs. The need for deaf interpreters is growing, but the provision of training and education specifically designed for deaf interpreters have not kept pace with the growing demand. In recent years only a few deaf Interpreter training programs have been set up in Europe, research into the area is scarce, and we still lack appropriate assessment tools for assessing the skills of deaf interpreters. ObjectivesThe main objective of the project was to enhance the quality, relevance and provision of deaf interpreter training. Not only the partners’ own training programs were expected to improve, as a result of this project, but the project was also (on a long term basis) aiming to influence training options in other educational Institutions in Europe. Access to a model curriculum, which has been produced by the project, is expected to encourage and inspire educators and educational institutions to initiate this kind of training and/or improve the quality of already existing training programs. The long term objective of the project was also to contribute to removing barriers at the labour market for deaf interpreters. Major obstacles for deaf interpreters are lack of official training options and lack of recognition of the profession. Giving (future) deaf interpreters access to high quality training and certification will go a long way towards recognition of the profession, but also the findings of the research are expected to contribute to a better understanding and definition of the specific competences of deaf interpreters. Number and profile of participating partnersWe were a cross sectorial partnership, consisting of five partners, representing Higher Educational Institutions undertaking deaf interpreter training, as well as national and European NGO’s in the field: Hamburg University, Coimbra Polytechnic Institute (IPC), HUMAK University of Applied Sciences, European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters (EFSLI), and Danish Deaf Association (DDA). Each partner has contributed to the project with their key staff members in this area of competence (primarily teachers and researchers within linguistics and sociology). Description of undertaken main activitiesThe partnership have in cooperation undertaken three intellectual outputs: a comprehensive European survey, 9 studies and articles into deaf interpreting, and recommendations for a curriculum. Thus we have produced an extensive survey of the situation of deaf interpreters in Europe, which deals with educational background, working conditions, organisation and recognition of the profession and covers the situation in 30 countries. Based on nine studies of the profession from various angles: primarily sociological and linguistic, nine articles have been produced, eight of which were published as a book and distributed during the project's conference in Hamburg. Furthermore partners have developed a set of joint recommendations for a deaf interpreter curriculum that is applicable at various levels of education throughout Europe. Finally we have produced a guide for educators training deaf interpreters. We have set up a project website and a facebook group and sent out regular newsletters to stakeholders. We have had 6 partner meetings and 2 multiplier events. We have undertaken 4 impact exploring surveys. Results and impact attainedThe primary results of the project, the 3 intellectual outputs, have all been accomplished, published, presented to a large audience, evaluated, and later translated and uploaded to the project website. Impact exploring among partner organisations shows that we as organisations have gained a lot from the project, so at this level, the project has attained the expected impact. The project has definitely also created awareness about the situation of deaf interpreting beyond partner organisations. The number of people from all over Europe to take an interest in the project has exceeded our expectations.The long term impact - to contribute to a positive development in other countries in Europe (primarily by influencing the quality, relevance and provision of deaf interpreter training) is yet to be seen. But as our impact exploring survey shows, testamonies from participants indicate that progress has taken place in 9 European (and 2 non European) countries within this period, and although the project can not take credit for all of it, the survey does show that the project was found relevant by syakeholders, and - at least in some countries - the project has contributed to creating more awareness of the situation.