LBS Capacity Assessment Report A Collaborative Partnership

1. LBS Capacity Assessment ReportA Collaborative Partnership Partners: Deaf Literacy Initiative, The Canadian Hearing Society & George Brown College November 24, 2010 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!!!