Polski Zwiazek Gluchych Oddzial Lodzki

The Polish Association of the Deaf in Łódź was founded in 1946. We currently employ 30 people. We provide help to nearly 2,000 people with hearing impairment.
The main goal of PZG is gathering of deaf adult people in the aim of supporting them in all life matters, within them in basic skills and human rights and act for equal developmental, educational, occupational and social opportunities. We are regional department of countrywide association, although we realise our tasks and project not only in Łódzkie region, but also all over the country. We have experience in international projects, as Spread the sign (2012-2015, 14 European countries).

Our specific fields of interests are: vocational inclusion of deaf people (increasing chance to get the job by several means of support), sign language interpreters support, social service, support for hearing parents of deaf children, influencing education system of the deaf, influencing public sphere so that it would be accessible for deaf people.

In pursuing their statutory goals, PZG OŁ cooperates with government and local administration, research and scientific institutions, agencies of health, education, culture, tourism ministries, with associations, foundations and institutes supporting its activities.
Representatives of PZG OŁ are members of several commissions taking care of deaf and disabled people matters, such as: Human Rights Defender Bureau or Łódź City Office.

In recent years we have received 3 important awards:

• Service without Barriers 2015
• The Innovation in Politics Awards 2017
• EDUinspiration title in the adult education category 2019

We publish books related to the activation of people with hearing impairment, including:

• Deaf studies w Polsce, vol. I
• Deaf studies w Polsce, vol. II,
• A guide for Parents of deaf children
• Social and cultural identity of the deaf