WP5
WP5
Empowering Inclusion through Innovation: The Final Conferences of the 3D4DEAF Project
As the 3D4DEAF project reaches its conclusion, the consortium partners have successfully organised national final conferences to present project outcomes, promote digital innovation, and empower deaf learners across Europe. These events were instrumental in reinforcing the project’s legacy and facilitating dialogue on inclusive and sustainable vocational education and training (VET). This article offers an overview of the final conferences conducted in Poland, Spain, Cyprus, and Italy. The Greek conference, held in Thessaloniki, is expected to be reported shortly.
Poland – Społeczna Akademia Nauk and Pitagoras
The final conference in Poland was hosted on 8 April 2025 at SAN University in Warsaw. The event welcomed around 40 participants, including students, educators, and project partners from across Europe. Discussions focused on showcasing the main project outputs: WP2: Training materials incorporating 3D technology in sustainable education. WP3: The innovative e-learning platform and mobile app. WP4: The interactive AR game supporting entrepreneurship and mobility training.
A competition titled Digital@Social Hubs: From the Local to the National/EU Level engaged participants in presenting innovative ideas. The event concluded with reflective discussions on inclusive VET practices and the project's role in shaping future educational models.
Spain – Gaudem School
Held on 25 April 2025 in Madrid’s European Projects Hall, Gaudem’s conference gathered over 40 participants, including deaf community representatives and educators. A strong focus was placed on inclusivity, with sign language interpreters ensuring accessibility throughout the event. Key highlights included: A live 3D printing demonstration. Interactive sessions on WP2 (training guidebooks), WP3 (platform and app), and WP4 (AR Game). Presentation of the Business Model Canvas and its role in the AR app’s design.
The session closed with informal discussions, during which participants from deaf associations expressed interest in further collaboration, particularly regarding vocabulary standardisation in entrepreneurship and sign language.
Cyprus – Emphasys Centre
Emphasys Centre hosted its final event on 3 April 2025 at the Lythrodontas Community Centre in Nicosia, specifically targeting rural audiences and underrepresented communities. The event saw the participation of 30 attendees, ranging from educators and NGOs to policy makers and VET professionals. The programme featured: Presentations of all project work packages. A guided walkthrough of the e-learning platform and mobile application. A demonstration of the AR game. A public voting session for the most impactful result, integrated into the Digital@Social Hubs showcase.
Feedback indicated strong interest in adopting the tools in rural VET centres and among teacher networks supporting deaf learners.
The session closed with informal discussions, during which participants from deaf associations expressed interest in further collaboration, particularly regarding vocabulary standardisation in entrepreneurship and sign language.
Italy – Fondazione Istituto dei Sordi di Torino & DLEARN
Held on 15 April 2025 in Pianezza (Turin), the Italian final conference focused explicitly on empowering Deaf youth, including migrants and those from minority backgrounds. With 30 participants, the event was conducted in Italian Sign Language (LIS), supported by visual materials. The programme included: Panel discussion on Deaf digital entrepreneurship Demonstrations of the e-learning platform, Story Map, and AR game Hands-on 3D printing workshop, replicating the project's winter training modules
The event’s inclusive format and engaging content resonated strongly with the audience. Over 90% of participants rated the sessions as relevant and inspiring. Many expressed aspirations to pursue social initiatives or join mentoring programmes aimed at Deaf entrepreneurs.
Greece – IDEC & SHSD
The 3D4DEAF multiplier event in Thessaloniki on 10 April 2025 brought together 42 external participants and 7 participants from the 2 Greek partners of the consortium (deaf and hard-of-hearing students, educators, vocational trainers and community leaders) to explore social entrepreneurship through 3D technologies. Hosted at SAEK Pylaia–Chortiatis by IDEC SA and the Special Gymnasium & Lyceum for the Deaf of Thessaloniki, the day included an overview of the project’s three core work packages: 3D printing and entrepreneurship training, the e-Academy platform with mobile app and badge system, and an augmented-reality “social hubs” game. A second presentation detailed the 960-hour vocational internship model—its structure, placement process and legal framework—underscoring pathways from classroom to workplace. An interactive roundtable and extended Q&A fostered lively discussion on accessible 3D design, AR adaptation and policy recommendations. In the “Digital@Social Hubs” competition, teams pitched prototypes for mixed-reality social venues; the winning concept combined on-demand sign-language interpretation with 3D-printed assistive tools. Post-event surveys showed 90 % overall satisfaction and 80 % felt motivated to launch or support social enterprises. Attendees praised the hands-on demos, networking opportunities and clear guidance, setting the stage for follow-up workshops on advanced 3D modelling and collaborative internships.
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