Extension: email submissions to kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za by 15 July
Download the 2022 LDESW Call for abstracts
Download the Call in SASL (dates as in the text version): LDESW 2022 Call

The Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies at the University of the Free State (RSA) is pleased to announce the third biennial international workshop on language diversity in educational settings, with a focus on educational attainment for the Deaf.

Educational attainment (i.e., level of education) plays a critical role in the quality of life of individuals and collectively influence the social fabric of a given community. On an individual level educational attainment contributes to personal fulfilment, stability, and socio-economic mobility and participation. The latter is important in a broader sense as well, as public participation shapes the dynamics that govern interactions between people and institutions. Greater awareness of and sensitivity to the needs, rights and contributions of different members of a diverse society stimulates cooperation and fairness.
Level of educational attainment is also a key factor in issues related to governance. It has an impact on public health outcomes, in that people are able to take care of and advocate for their health and wellbeing; on human capital, in other words, the economy’s available workforce; and on standards of living influenced by factors such as employment rates and average household income.
In general, Deaf people attain lower levels of education than their hearing peers. LDESW 2022 explores the mechanisms behind this phenomenon as well as its impact on the empowerment of the Deaf. 

Keynote speakers
• Prof Joseph Murray (President: WFD)
• Prof Anne Baker (University of Amsterdam and Stellenbosch)

Workshop format
The workshop will be presented in panel format, with four dedicated panel sessions. Delegates are invited to submit an abstract addressing any of the questions stated below. Abstracts (250 words) can be submitted online at https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ldesw2022 by 1 June 2022. Each accepted speaker will have 20 minutes to do their presentation, and the panel will conclude with a discussion lead by the moderator.

PANEL 1: Policy and other regulatory measures related to Deaf education
Moderator: Prof Timothy Reagan
Questions:
1. What role does policy intervention play in promoting educational attainment for the Deaf?
2. To what extent does policy intervention contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals regarding Deaf education, which inevitably is quality education that is both inclusive and equal?
3. To what degree is there alignment between policy and the pursuit for both social and linguistic inclusivity in Deaf education?
4. To what extent does policy intervention ensure that the benefits of additive bilingual education for literacy acquisition in Deaf education are fully utilized?

PANEL 2: Systems, options and resources for Deaf education
Moderator: Prof Claudine Storbeck
Questions: 
1. What is the effect of different school placements on Deaf educational attainment? 
2. What role does different educational programs play in Deaf educational attainment?
3. What impact does access to technological and other resources have in Deaf educational attainment?

PANEL 3: Social participation and wellbeing of the Deaf
Moderator: Ms Robyn Swannack
Questions:
1. How does educational attainment influence a Deaf individual’s health and wellbeing? 
2. What is the impact of educational attainment on a Deaf person’s empowerment, social mobility and personal fulfilment?
3. In what way can educational attainment, for both hearing and Deaf individuals, contribute to the mutual social inclusion of the Deaf community?
4. How do social factors influence the educational attainment of a Deaf individual?

PANEL 4: Linguistic issues related to Deaf educational attainment
Moderator: Prof Myriam Vermeerbergen
Questions:
1. What measures can be taken/are in place to ensure adequate proficiency in a non-sign language where Deaf learners engage with that medium of instruction?
1. What methods exist/are beneficial when accounting for language variation in the instruction and assessment of sign languages?
2. To what extent does the availability of subject-specific signs affect Deaf educational attainment?
3. What is the effect of formal sign language learning on proficiency and eventual educational attainment?

Venue
This will be a fully virtual event hosted via Microsoft Teams.

Languages of the workshop
South African Sign Language and English (professional interpreting services available). International Sign interpreting services will be considered depending on the demand.

Organising Committee (University of the Free State, RSA)
• Host: Prof Annalene van Staden
• Coordinator: Dr Chrismi Loth
• Prof Theodorus du Plessis
• Jani de Lange
• Susan Lombaard

Scientific Panel
• Prof Annalene van Staden (University of the Free State, RSA)
• Prof Anne Baker (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Stellenbosch University, RSA)
• Prof Myriam Vermeerbergen (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium)
• Prof Theodorus du Plessis (University of the Free State, RSA)
• Dr Lukas Magongwa (Wits University, RSA)
• Dr Marga Stander (Sol Plaatjies University and University of the Free State, RSA)
• Other: To be confirmed (local and international experts)

Publication
Depending on the number and quality of papers an accredited publication in our regular conference proceedings series with Sun Bonani will be considered.

Queries can be directed to Dr Chrismi Loth at kongresETFB@ufs.ac.za.