On 23 November, a special event took place in Nazareth, a charming town near Ghent in Belgium. Organised by DoofBewust and DoofVerleden, this study session celebrated their 10-year anniversary while diving deep into the impact of VGT Nieuws, the Flemish Sign Language News.

The event gathered an impressive 130 Deaf and hard-of-hearing participants. Hearing attendees were not included, allowing the Deaf community to focus on their unique perspectives. DNieuws, a Dutch Sign Language news organisation, joined to explore how the Deaf community in Flanders views VGT Nieuws and what lessons other countries could take from their experiences.

Understanding the Study

One highlight was a presentation by Jorn Rijckaert on research about Deaf people’s understanding of news presented by hearing interpreters. The study focused on whether Deaf viewers fully grasp the content interpreted for them. It revealed that although interpreters play a crucial role, many Deaf viewers felt more connected to Deaf news anchors who better understand their culture and communication needs.

VGT Nieuws has taken steps to improve accessibility and cultural relevance. For example, they include daily life topics such as health and family, making news relatable to their audience. Their approach is a result of collaboration with organisations like DoofVlaanderen, who regularly engage with the Belgian Ministry of Media to ensure the Deaf community’s needs are met.

The Role of Collaboration

Collaboration emerged as a key theme. VGT Nieuws is a Deaf-led project working closely with organisations such as the Vlaams Gebarentaalcentrum to improve content quality. This includes adding new signs to their dictionary and enhancing news production practices. Participants emphasised the importance of unity among Deaf organisations to sustain and grow similar initiatives in other countries.

Looking Ahead

The event concluded with inspiring words from the first Deaf news anchor presenting L’Hebdo, who shared the challenges and triumphs of delivering news in sign language. Her story highlighted the importance of empowering Deaf professionals and creating content that resonates with the community.

This study session was a powerful reminder of the value of Deaf-led news services and the need for strong partnerships to foster inclusive and accessible media worldwide.