Inclusion of sign language users via information and communication technology

The paper addresses the situation of sign language users (mostly deaf people) in the context of inclusion as a political goal. For several reasons, there is often still some confusion with the terms of deaf and hearing impaired. In order to overcome this confusion, a survey is given over the needs of people who have a sign language as their preferred language as well as the needs of people who decide on preferring spoken language (mostly hard-of-hearing people). One should also doubt that the whole target group of people with disabilities in the hearing area consists of two separate groups only. Starting from the right of self-determination, the better solution seems to be the individual right of a person to choose any offers which are useful for her/him. As for other groups of people with special needs, ICT is seen as a big chance for improving their situation in terms of life and job chances. Several projects and experiences are reported.