Objectives
In 2022, the Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) has implemented the service department GESTU für students with hearing impairments. It is the contact point for students with hearing impairments of all universities in Graz. GESTU offers
- counseling and interpretation
- support from student staff
- promotion of accessible teaching
- awareness and training of university staff
Already in 2010, the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) had set up a GESTU service department. This is regarded as best practice that will be expanded to all Austrian universities. This project runs from 2022 to 2024. The TU Graz carries out the project for and together with other Austrian universities in the city of Graz and supports also students from other universities in Graz.
Implementation
The evaluation is carried out in the term 2023/24. It aims to contribute to quality assurance and further development of GESTU. The provisions of GESTU are manifold and comprise not only councelling and support of students but also awareness raising activities for the university staff.
The evaluation monitors the project aims and generates insights that help to optimize existing provisions or develop new ones. The issues at stake require a mixed-methods approach: analysis of documents, focus groups with students and student staff, online survey for interpreters, interviews with teachers. The results are presented in a workshop where their implications for the future development of the GESTU are discussed.