Prıorıtıes and Topıcs

According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 190 million deaf or hearing-impaired people in Europe, which corresponds to about 20% of the European population. Around 30% of the population over 60 years old has some form of hearing impairment. Recent studies (Gibson, 2010; Senghor et al., 2017) reveal that about 90% of deaf and hearingimpaired individuals face numerous difficulties in accessing healthcare. The biggest barrier to healthcare access for this community is communication, as most healthcare professionals are not trained to communicate with this population using Sign Language or other specialized communication methods for people with hearing loss. These communication gaps have led to severe consequences, such as misdiagnoses, inadequate medical treatments, and, in more serious cases, death (Tiway, 2008). Among the various areas of healthcare that lack communication accessibility, palliative care stands out. Research on palliative care for deaf and hearing-impaired people remains very limited. In their study, Madallena et al. (2012) identified that deaf and hearing-impaired individuals have a very limited understanding of their options when it comes to end-of-life care. The same study pointed out that one of the biggest challenges in palliative care intervention is communication between deaf patients and healthcare professionals, as most of these professionals are unable to communicate using Sign Language, which is a crucial aspect in facilitating the relationship between caregivers and patients. Even in large urban centers, it is very difficult to find Sign Language interpreters who work outside conventional hours, such as nights and weekends. This situation is even more challenging in rural areas. Another aspect highlighted in the same study is the physical environment in which deaf individuals receive palliative care. Therefore, our target audience consists of deaf individuals in need of palliative care and the healthcare professionals who work with them. To address this, we will develop an online learning platform, create a Sign Language curriculum at A1, A2, and B1 levels for professionals working in palliative care for deaf and hearing-impaired individuals, develop Sign Language-adapted tools for palliative care—such as the Wong-Baker Pain Rating Scale, create informational materials in Sign Language with subtitles on palliative care and build a dictionary with the main vocabulary in sign language related with palliative care. By achieving these objectives, we will meet the identified priorities and contribute to inclusion and diversity across all fields of education and training.