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This paper presents a Learning System (LS) which offers Greek Sign Language videos in correspondence to every text in the learning environment. The system is designed notably for deaf adults for the purpose of their lifelong vocational and educational training. In the LS, the special needs of Deaf learners are satisfied, e.g. bilingual information (text and sign language), high level of visualization, interactive and explorative learning, and the potential of learning in peer groups via video conferencing. In this environment, for the first time, Greek signers are able to learn in their own language, the sign language. In addressing the above context, the LS is adapted to the specific learning problems of the target group, i.e. deaf adolescents and young adults. The provided content is bilingual. Bilingual experiments (spoken and signed language) in schools of the deaf and hearing impaired have shown that the use of sign language in the classroom enhance reading competence significantly. The basic objective of the present e-learning environment is the support of the equal rights of Deaf people for their access and real attendance in the vocational and educational training. The development of LS and this paper has been supported by Leonardo Da Vinci Framework Program, "DELFE" project, of European Union.

Deaf individuals present differences compared to their hearing peers in terms of their learning profile. In addition, deaf adults seem to still be socially excluded nowadays, given that the transition from school to work is more difficult for people with hearing loss. This study aims to analyze the cognitive characteristics of deaf adults, as well as the way they learn better, for the development of an innovative and user-friendly e-learning platform, which will be adapted to the educational needs of the target group. Fifty-three deaf or hard-of-hearing adults participated in the field research for the needs of this study. According to the results, participants prefer e-learning modules with continuity in terms of the content, which offer comprehension questions during the sessions, as well as practice exercises after their completion. Furthermore, participants had positive attitudes towards the use of special graphics and explanatory videos.

Abstract. The teaching of the English language as a second language to deaf and hearing impaired individuals, whose mother language is the sign language, through the prism of the project 'Dedalos', is the main topic of this article. More particularly, a special e-learning platform was developed, which incorporated special pedagogic methods of distant linguistic training as well as innovative and high-quality educational e-content, suitably adapted to the needs of hearing impaired people through the use of contemporary animation and digital video technologies. In addition, audits and evaluation tests were incorporated within the platform, in order to assess and evaluate the linguistic skills of the hearing impaired students and the educational e-content was divided into various levels according to the educational level of each e-student. Both the evaluation process and the setting of the e-content to the appropriate level are achieved through the use of an intelligent taxonomy system.

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