The document contains meeting minutes from a January 2015 meeting in Zagreb, Croatia of the Hearing Impaired Children, Family Support project. Key topics discussed included: introducing new participants; reviewing and validating previous meeting minutes; presentations on family support practices from various countries; deciding on a logo and format for a brochure on family support for parents of hearing impaired children; and beginning work on the brochure content. Participants worked in workshops on the brochure, a final report, and analyses of parent surveys and testimonies. Plans were made to continue revising the brochure and present case studies at the next meeting in Romania.

1. HIC FS -Hearing Impairment Children, Family Support
Zagreb Meeting Minutes - HIC FS meeting n°3 –
Zagreb, CROATIA
-January 2015-
Monday 26th
Arrival evening – welcome of guests and hotel accommodation
Tuesday 27th
MORNING
9.00-10.30: introductory session,
 presentations of new participants
 welcoming speech of Croatian school principal Slavica Jelić
 Isabelle is giving introduction for the project for the new participantsin the meeting.Practices, experiences
and concepts and real outcome (leaflet aimed to parents) are our goals.
 review and validation of the minutes of meeting n°2 in Budapest
o problem with time in Budapest
o problem with number of days of meeting and time we didn’t do what we had to
o Hungarian guide translated form Australian 40 week exercises for parent
o Leafletwill startwithletterof parents (aimed to parents so it’s better to get leaflet closer to them)
 Introduction – EU, project parent introduction – letter for parents
 Definition glossary
 Legal help - administrative and legal help (where and when to go)
 Family support in our Centre
o Practices presentation: French team, Romanian team
 Leaflet accessible for all parents with difficulties or without them (accessible to all)
o Hungarian team: Depends of parents because there are parents with who are difficult to work and
other parents which are very active and easy to involve (the difficulties is to work with parents who
have any problems (who don’t want to be involved – why, social or which problem?)
 Direct link between parents is letter with explanation and introduction – also good for leaflet
 Present debate of parents form Budapest and talk again and validate questions in debate

2.  reading and validation of the agenda of meeting n°3 in Zagreb
o change in agenda Zagreb – everybody is doing brochure together
o after
 1st
group parents Isabelle
 2nd
group quantitative analysis questioners
 3rd
group qualitative analysis parents testimonies
10:30-11:00 Pause
11.00-12.00: Collective workshop
1. Clarifythe outcomesof the project:final reportfor project partners and Europeanagencies + familysupport
brochure (or leaflet) for parents
 Isabelle will make good practices guide in English (1st
outcome) – for communication in institution or
outside – then is to decide for every country to translate and to give whoever they want
 Family support leaflet – everybody is doing it – 2 years’ work (concepts, experiences, practices)
2. Choice of the logo of the project
 Lino Ujčić (Croatian team) proposes 3 logo samples and tomorrow we decide about logo
 Check the logos which we put on our published materials
 Croatia and Hungary will not put HIPEN logo and France and Romania will
3. Validation of the format, form and parts of the brochure
 Title of brochure: “Hearing Impaired Children Family Support”
 Intro in brochure – letter of parents Support to families with a hearing impaired child
12.00-13.30: lunch time
AFTERNOON
13.30-16.00: workshop with parents continues – proposal of add ins in brochure
Start thinking and creating a sample of the paper and Pdf English brochure for parents with all of its contents
Croatian proposals:
List the following institutions:
 Counselingcenters
 Institutionsprovidingdiagnostic
 Institutionsforeducationsandrehabilitation
 Legal (lawsandrightsregardingto familieswithdeaf children)
Professionalstaff engagedincertainareaswithexplanation
Where theycan getsupport(legal orsocial)
Informationaboutassociationsforparentsof deaf children
Internetpages
Possibilitiesof Integrationof children inregularkindergartens(vocal exercises, SignLanguage courses,
assistants)
Sendingbrochuresinmaternitywards, topediatrics, doctors

3. Infoaboutdifferenttherapies
Realizingthe rightstohearingaids,choices
Patronage inearlyintervention
Signlanguage forfamilyandprofessional stuff
Romanian proposals:
1st
page – project information, logo
2nd
page - short description of leaflet, target group, objectives of leaflet
3rd
page – difficulties of families and solutions, who can give them support
4th
page - info about deafness, hearing aids, specialists, early intervention, sign courses,
5th
page – needs about deafness, parents testimonies, family and children successful stories
6th
page - activities pictures form children and activities, useful links and contact
Hungarian team:
Where to get information as parent about hearing impairment in social
To what kind of expert I can visit?
Possibilities of changing experiments between parents
Possibilities of social insurance
Administrative, social and financial help
Rights, and laws
Hearing aid device choice
Pictures of the future (what kind of adult could became our child with hearing impairment)
French team:
To be reassured and informed – they have to know that child is in the middle of everything
They have to feel ok when they read leaflet
Reassurement, information and professional coordinator
Parents ask for consistency and clarity.
On the cover, you must write the concept of partnership, parents should not feel alone, isolated.
General remarks:
o This brochure will remain in each institution, we need all this information?
o This brochure should remainunusual,unique andnotrepeatwhat otherdocumentsgive as informationand
indication
o around the child, there are professional partnerships
o This brochure must be kept short and readable
o This leafletmustreinsuring,provide security,comfort,parentsshouldnothave to worry about the future of
their child
o it gives them a focus on any support and guidance
o Do not give them too complex array of possible interventions that might impress them, make them panic
before sucha multidisciplinaryteam.Whoto contact? How to choose?Do not itemize,nottoinvade parents
by institutional heaviness

4. o You have to give a single contact person who will accompany, guide, explain
o Information should be attractive, appealing and not disturbing and invasive
o Availability, legibility
Wednesday 28th
MORNING
9.00-10.30: back on workshops, comments, questions, time, organization
Deciding about logo – over 7 different choices everybody agreed on logo No.7
10.30-11.00: Coffee break
Workshop 2, FINAL REPORT: leader (Isabelle), start writing the final report for National agencies with all works and
information done and gathered from meetings 1 and 2
Workshop 3, EXPERIENCES
o Group 1, leader (Catherine Y), make a qualitative analysis of parents’ testimonies from meetings 1 and 2 +
debates of parents
o Group 2, leader (Gabriela), make a quantitative analysis of surveys sent to parents
o Group 3, leader (one parent), create and write collectively the letter of introduction for the brochure from
initial letters from partners
16.00-17.00: restitution of job done in the different workshops and action plan for Wednesday
Evening: organized dinner by the hosting team in city center of Zagreb
Wednesday 28th
MORNING
8.45 – meeting point in front of Hotel Ilica – meeting in High school part of the Centre
9.00-10.30: back on workshops
o Group 1, leader (Catherine Y), make a qualitative analysis of parents’ testimonies from meetings 1 and 2 +
debates of parents
o Group 2, leader (Gabriela), make a quantitative analysis of surveys sent to parents
o Group 3, leader (one parent), create and write collectively the letter of introduction for the brochure from
initial letters from partners
10.30-11.00: Coffee break

5. 11.00-12.00: visitof Centre inIlica and walkingupto mainbuildingNazorova– showingall partsof Croatianinstitute
including school, rehabilitation part, social part etc.
12.00-13.30: lunch time
AFTERNOON
13.30-15.00: back on workshops
15.00-15.30: tea time break
15.30-17.00: collective reviewof the workshops,leaders of eachgroup presentthe workdone to be validatedbythe
whole group
Evening free or organized by the hosting team
Thursday 29th
MORNING
9.00-10.30: a general view of the brochure aimed at parents (content and form) to be validated by the whole team,
logo version choosing, parent’s quotes validating, illustrations from Lino Ujčić to be added in brochure and his
signature “Lino Ujčić – deaf illustrator”
Cover page
Up: logo agencies (all in English version, country versions will have their own versions)
Logo
Mosaic of pictures form pictures from different centers
Flags from all countries
Last page
Questions with answers about project (who, where,,,)
This leaflet is the result of …
THE HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN
FAMILY SUPPORT PROJECT
Grundtvig Learning Partnership
European Life Long Learning Programme
HIC FS
About FAMILY SUPPORT…

6. WHO?
French, Croatian, Romanian and Hungarian
Parents of hearing impaired children
Professionals from specialized centers
WHAT?
Exploring, defining and analyzing concepts, experiences and practices of family support
WHAT FOR?
Optimizing family functioning in all aspects of life Well-being and success of hearing impaired children
Inclusion of hearing impaired children in society
Name and logos of specialized Centre’s
Down – Logo of centers
(Initiated by HIPEN network)
10.30-11.00: coffee break
11.00-12.00:
French parent presentation (Anita Chalopin)
Two Croatian mother are presenting their stories (Irena Drožđek- Belani, Anamarija Niče)
12.00-13.30: lunch time
AFTERNOON
13.30-15.30:
 Principal giving speech and certifications to guest
 study cases to be presented by
o Marie-Annick Poirier (French 1st
study cases)
o Catherine Dionneau-Gaborit (French 2nd
study cases)
o FerencBodvai (Hungary 3rd
study cases, mentoring program (network of professionals in Hungary)
to enrichPRACTICESof family support (45 minutes of presentation for each country + 15mns for questions)
15.30-16.00: teatime break
16.00-17.00: assessment of meeting 3, preparation of meeting 4 in Romania (dates, program, conference…)

7. Copy of Isabelle proposal of program?
ACTION PLAN FOR MEETING 4 IN ROMANIA
EXPERIENCES
Parents testimonies to be continued with new parents (Mrs. Bore from France/…)
Qualitative analysis of parents ‘testimonies and debates to be presented (Irena and Catherine Y)
Quantitative analysis of parents’ surveys (Gabriela)
PRACTICES
Study cases to be continued
LEAFLET
SendtoIrenalegal,administrative…informationtoputinthe leafletandphotosof activitieswithparents,childrenand
professionals for the cover page
CONFERENCE
Gabriela responsible
Project content and objectives (Isabelle)
Experience (one or two parents) + survey
Practices (professionals)
Leaflet and guide to be presented
University, doctors, representative of social protection services, parents, deaf association
DATES OF NEXT MEETING
2 days meeting+ half day conference
4th May travelling
5, 6, 7th May meeting and conference
8th
May traveling home
Evening organized by the hosting team in the restaurant “Kaptolska klet”
Friday 30th
Departure morning, afternoon or evening

9. Participants:
France:
IsabelleFrancois
Catherine Dionneau-Gaborit
Catherine Yakovlev
Marie-Annick Poirier
Anita Chalopin
Hungary:
Virág Szőllősiné Sipos
Ágnes Dr. Szigetiné Stefány
Zuzsanna Kovács
Judit Mészáros
Annamária Boiné Nagy
László Urbán
Ferenc Boldvai
Romania:
Gabriela Chirtes
Alina Boca
Tonia Kerekes
Diana Gavris
Croatia:
Irena Weigand
Jasmina Švelec
Angel Naumovski
Tereza Szavai
Martina Vrbanec
Slavica Jelić

10. Ružica Kežman
Irena Drožđek-Belani
Anamarija Niče
Lino Ujčić

11. Addition 1:
WORKSHOP WITH PARENTS FOR THE LETTER OF INTRODUCTION
PARENTSLETTER OR PARENTSQUOTATION TO PUT IN THE BROCHURE / LEAFLET
PARENTSTALKINGABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCEABOUT FAMILY SUPPORTOR HAVINGA DEAF CHILD
LIKE A PARENT:accept the problem thatyouhave a deaf child,have courage toask someone aboutyourproblem,
exchangeswithotherparents,parentshave manyquestions,Imusthelpmychild,how ?Accessto internetyoutalk
to parentswiththe same problem,youcontactthe specialistsandyoukeepthe information,youwantmore
informationandexperience fromparents,advice…
Notstayingisolated
Resultslongterm
1 semaine de rencontre de parents avectoute lafamilleparents+enfantsavecinvitationde professionnelset
spécialistes
Expérience roumaine surlescampsà l’échellenationale surlesregroupementsde parents,enfants,professionnels
1/an, activitésdiverses
BESOIN D’APPRENDREDES PARENTS
Groupe de parents lamaman roumaine parle de sesexpériences,de l’associationde parents,lamamanhongroisea
écritune lettre adressée aux parents,ungroupe partde cette lettre (parentscroates) pourentirerdesphrasesclés,
desmotsimportants),Anitaécritdesphasesclés,elle insistesurlaLangue desSignes.
PARENTS TALKING TO PARENTS
YOU ARE NOTALONE
THERE IS A SOLUTION
ALTOGETHER
YOU CAN GET SUPPORT
YOU CAN HAVEA GOOD FUTURE
Introductionproposedbyamother
“When you find out that there is a possibilitythat your child hashearing
problems or that she/ he is deaf what can you do? First of all you have
to know that there are solutions for deafness.”

12. PARENTS TALKING TO PARENTS
Irena from Croatia, hearing mother of a 7 years old child
“When you find out that there is a possibility that your child has hearing problems or that she/ he is deaf
what can you do? First of all you have to know that there are solutions for deafness.”
“You have the right to have mixed feelings”
Martina and Irena, Croatian hearing mothers of deaf children aged 7 and Annamaria, Hungarian hearing
mother of a deaf girl aged 21
“As hearing parents we had plenty of questions and uncertainties about our deaf child and deafness…you
may have the same questions as us…What is the hearing loss of my child?What is hearing impairment? What
does it mean for the state of the child? Who can I contact and get information and advice from?”
Diana from Romania, hearing mother of a 16 years old deaf girl
“Take action and focus on your child needs”
“I decided to learn together with my child in order to help her”.
“You have to be open minded to any social activity, to offer your child the possibilities to develop him/herself
in order to accept his/her disability.”
Anita from France, deaf mother of a 15 years old deaf girl
“It is important to give signlanguageas much as possibleand as soon possible, it is important very expressive
with the child to show emotions, feelings”
Anamarija from Croatia, deaf mother of a deaf boy aged 11 and a girl aged 5
“I advice you to belong to a deaf community to allow your child to communicate and share activities with
both deaf and hearing children from deaf and hearing parents”
PARENTS ALGOTHER FROM FRANCE, CROTIA, ROMANIA, HUNGARY
“Give love, affection, to you child and do not loose time with WHY questions but focus on HOW, WHAT,
WHERE, WITH WHOM questions”

13. Addition 2:
Selected logo

14. Addition 3:
Qualitative analysis based on parents’ testimonies and debate (with questions in
Budapest)
Emotional phases felt by the parents
 Difficulties to have a correct diagnose several meetings needed several doctors
 Shock at diagnostic time (several meetings, feeling of loneliness accompanied with denial)
 Battle to find the way in that situation and solutions (feeling of depression, confusion because of
misunderstanding)
 Accept the child with his difference and accept support needed
 Relief when they find efficient professional team
 Need to see realistic integration in society for the future of their child
Relevant practices
 Early support
 Multi-professional team
 Support groups (families, siblings, different parents…)
 Practical advices for real life (simple questions – simple answers)
 Deaf children playing groups (building identity, practicing communication)
 Administrative and financial help (meeting with social worker)
 Encounters with deaf professionals
Needs in family support
 Support to integrate into society (kindergarten, sport)
 Support closer to home
 Support for enlarged family (siblings, grandparents)
 Free communication and sign language courses and psychological help
 Wider knowledge about deafness (medical, social, psychological…)

15. Addition 4:
PARENTS TALKING TO PARENTS
Irena from Croatia, hearing mother of a 7 years old child
“When you find out that there is a possibility that your child has hearing problems or that she/ he is deaf
what can you do? First of all you have to know that there are solutions for deafness.”
“You have the right to have mixed feelings”
Martina and Irena, Croatian hearing mothers of deaf children aged 7 and Annamaria, Hungarian hearing
mother of a deaf girl aged 21
“As hearing parents we had plenty of questions and uncertainties about our deaf child and deafness…you
may have the same questions as us…What is the hearing loss of my child?What is hearing impairment? What
does it mean for the state of the child? Who can I contact and get information and advice from?”
Diana from Romania, hearing mother of a 16 years old deaf girl
“Take action and focus on your child needs”
“I decided to learn together with my child in order to help her”.
“You have to be open minded to any social activity, to offer your child the possibilities to develop him/herself
in order to accept his/her disability.”
Anita from France, deaf mother of a 15 years old deaf girl
“It is important to give Sign Language as much as possible and as soon possible, it is important to be very
expressive with the child to show emotions, feelings”
Anamarija from Croatia, deaf mother of a deaf boy aged 11 and a girl aged 5
“I advice you to belong to a deaf community to allow your child to communicate and share activities with
both deaf and hearing children from deaf and hearing parents”
PARENTS ALTOGETHER FROM FRANCE, CROATIA, ROMANIA, HUNGARY
“Give love, affection to your child and do not loose time with WHY questions but focus on
HOW, WHAT, WHERE, WITH WHOM questions”

16. Addition 5: