MADE training pilot in Poland

The pilot training took place in Poland through the popular ZOOM communication platform, which is recognized by the Deaf. The training was carried out with many breaks in the period from November 2020 to the end of March 2021. The breaks were caused by the very difficult epidemiological situation of the Covid-19 in Poland, where the third wave of the pandemic brought a number of strong restrictions hampering normal functioning, which in turn led to emotional problems of the trainees. Despite the difficulties, the training was completed.

The training was conducted on the basis of the previously prepared materials in the form of Modules presentations and virtual exhibitions available on the museum’s website.

In total there were 15 students, all of them were committed to the training. Students showed interest in training topics, however, sometimes it required a thorough and extensive translation of difficult words, concepts related to art, culture, etc.

During the training, a personal tour for the Deaf at the National museum in Lublin was planned, but due to the difficult epidemiological situation in Poland the museum was closed, so an open-air training was conducted in a possible place.

As part of the training, an attempt was made to show the museums available on the following websites:

• The National Museum in Lublin
• The Warsaw Rising Museum
• Museum of the History of Polish Jews POLIN
• District Museum in Tarnów
• Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau
• Łańcut Castle Museum

Taking into account the positive aspects among Deaf people (such as interest, involvement during classes) and negative aspects related to the epidemiological situation caused by Covid-19, it can be said that the training was successful, because it gave the Deaf people an opportunity to meet on the ZOOM platform, exchange observations, acquire positive attitudes and behaviours characteristic of a museum guide.