Inclusive schools

Sign language becomes a school-leaving examination subject at AHS

(Bild: stock.adobe.com/Екатерина Абатурова)

Sign language has been a constitutionally recognized language in its own right since 2005. However, it is rarely taught in schools as an optional subject or course. This is now changing as part of an amendment to the curriculum. From the coming school year, pupils will also be able to complete their A-levels in Austrian Sign Language (ÖGS).

In a press release on Wednesday, Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP) spoke of an important step towards more inclusion in the school system and a "sign of appreciation and respect for all of the approximately 9,000 deaf people in Austria". The President of the Austrian Federation of the Deaf, Helene Jarmer, saw a "first important step" towards the recognition of ÖGS in schools. However, for an inclusive society in which all pupils have equal opportunities, further measures must follow.

However, the new A-level subject will be introduced in the coming school year.

(Bild: APA/HERBERT NEUBAUER)

In its latest report, the Independent Monitoring Committee, which monitors the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Austria, criticized the fact that there is currently no sign language curriculum or approved textbooks for primary and special schools. Sign language cannot be officially used as a language of instruction either, although according to the monitoring committee, this is still done at a dozen locations in Austria.

A few locations offer non-binding exercises
According to the Ministry of Education, sign language is currently only available in compulsory schools as part of the compulsory exercise "therapeutic-functional exercises" or in combination with other manual and sign systems. Some schools offer sign language as a non-binding exercise within the framework of school autonomy, which pupils can take voluntarily. For hearing children of deaf parents (CODA pupils), there is currently no offer at all, although they grow up with sign language.