Sign Language Learning Opportunities for Deaf Children and their Hearing Families and for Heritage Signers in Deaf Families

Unlocking Educational Opportunities in Sign Languages in Europe: Deaf Children, Their Hearing Families, and Heritage Signers

You are invited to take part in a survey about the legislation, policies, and language service provisions that ensure sign language learning opportunities for deaf children and their hearing families, as well as for heritage signers and their deaf signing families.

Many of the 46 Council of Europe Member States have officially recognised their national sign language(s). However, there are still significant differences in how sign language learning opportunities are made accessible in early education and family life.

This survey seeks to document how sign language learning opportunities are supported across Europe (through laws, policies, advocacy, and practical resources) and to identify good practices and existing gaps. The findings will contribute to a broader understanding of how deaf children and their hearing families, as well as heritage signers, are enabled to access and benefit from (sign) language learning opportunities.

The survey consists of 45 questions organised under four categories:

1. Organisation
2. Legislation
3. Policy
4. Resources

These questions are divided into two parts:
(a) Deaf children and their hearing families
(b) Heritage signers and their deaf families.

Completing the questionnaire will take approximately 30 minutes. It is available in English and International Sign. Responses may be submitted in English.

You are invited to participate because your organisation represents or works with Deaf communities and associations, deaf children and their families, heritage signers, deaf experts, interpreters, sign language teachers, parents, and governmental or non-governmental bodies involved in language policy, language education, or language services.

Your input will help us understand how Council of Europe Member States ensure sign language learning opportunities and access for these groups. There is no obligation to take part, and you may withdraw at any time without giving a reason. Participation is entirely voluntary.

Although there are no direct benefits for participants, your responses will help build a clearer pan-European overview of current legislation, policies, and language resources that promote inclusion and linguistic rights. There are no risks involved in participating.

Your privacy and data are fully protected. All data will be processed securely and used only for research and reporting purposes, in accordance with the Council of Europe’s data protection and privacy principles (https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/personal-data-protection-and-privacy) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, https://gdpr-info.eu). Data processing is carried out by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, in cooperation with DeafSign at the European Centre for Modern Languages / Council of Europe. Only aggregated, anonymised data will be shared with the DeafSign team and with the European Centre for Modern Languages / Council of Europe, and may also be used in reports or scientific and non-scientific publications.

The survey will start on November 1, 2025, and end on January 30, 2026.

If you have any questions about this study or your participation, please contact the DeafSign Team at: DeafSign@ecml.at

Thank you very much for your support and valuable contribution.

• I agree and continue by clicking "Next" button.
• I do not agree and will leave the survey.