The Inclusive Orientation Manual is a guide implemented throughout France since 2022 by its Ministry of Education, which aims to provide tools to the community to improve the care of students with special educational needs. As this project is funded by the European Union, representatives of the Ministry and the European Agency for Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Education met in Nice in October 2023 to exchange information and experiences of the implementation of the Manual in schools. Cultures Connection was there to offer an interpretation service for special education from English into French and vice versa.
Interpreting special education in French schools
In 2021, the French Ministry of Education first proposed the project “Improving French Implementation of Inclusive Education Inclusive Guidance Manual”, which began operating throughout the country the following year. While initially intended for principals and teachers, since the start of the 2023 school year the Inclusive Guidance Manual is also accessible to families.
The choice of Nice to discuss the progress of the project was not random. Along with the Normandy academy, the Nice academy was one of the schools that most widely disseminated the Inclusive Guidance Manual. At its Rectorate, on October 10 and 11, representatives of the French and European institutions exchanged views face-to-face with participants from the educational community on their experiences and views on the implementation of this inclusive model in schools at regional and local level.
Three working groups of 15 people each were organized over two days, representing three different sectors of the academic community, all participants in the educational project: school principals, teachers and families.
They took into account a survey that was sent in June 2023 to all the schools in the country involved and a series of questions that the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education had specially prepared in advance for each working group.
The meeting then consisted of a dynamic conversation between English and French speakers, which required 3 professional interpreters and technological equipment for the professionals to carry out their work.
With a microphone and 20 headphones, the interpreters were able to transfer the presentations from one language to the other without interruption and those present were able to participate fluently. The number of translators assigned to the event was determined by the need to guarantee quality work and relaxation throughout the event.
At the request of the event organizers, in addition to managing the interpreters and equipment rental, Cultures Connection also recorded the meetings and provided catering and transportation for the participants.
With offices in Nice and experience in hosting projects for international organizations, Cultures Connection was once again present in the places where important decisions are made for the future of society.
