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Between 27th of October 2025 and 29th of October 2025, the Deafblind Association of Slovenia DLAN hosted the Italian deafblind organization, the Lega del Filo d’Oro Foundation—long-standing advocates for the rights of people with deafblindness and partners in the new Erasmus+ project “Strengthening Interpreters for Persons with Deafblindness.”

The project, which began in October 2025, brings new opportunities for strengthening professional competencies, developing guidelines for interpreters in the language of the deafblind, and exchanging experiences among organizations that co-create a supportive environment for people with deafblindness.

The Lega del Filo d’Oro Foundation, established in 1964, now operates through twelve regional units across Italy and brings together more than 800 professionals and 700 volunteers. It was founded by Sabina Santilli, a person with deafblindness who, through courage and perseverance, wove a “golden thread of connection” – a symbol of full inclusion of people with deafblindness in society.

The DLAN Association was founded 41 years later, in 2005, born from the initiative of a sighted and hearing person who, with compassion, vision and commitment to justice, began transforming society from within. Today, we are guided by the same principle: to create bridges of understanding and accessibility for all.

During the visit, the Italian partners expressed great admiration for the achievements of the DLAN Association: the inclusion of the language of the deafblind in the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, the adoption of an independent Act on the Use of the Deafblind, the development of the profession, and the establishment of a haptic dictionary, which has been used in Slovenia since 2020. In these areas, they even regarded us as an example.

Next year, cooperation with the Italian partners will continue with a visit to Italy, where we will jointly develop recommendations for high-quality interpreting and the use of the language of the deafblind.

The Erasmus+ project unites us in a common goal: to build a society where respect, accessibility and human dignity form the foundation of coexistence. This spirit of shared creation also marked our meeting with the Italian partners, which will remain a cherished memory for the users of the DLAN Association.

A working meeting of both project partners, during which we dedicated our time to presenting both organizations and planning the Erasmus+ project activities for the coming year.

 

A meeting between the users of the DLAN Association and the Italian partners of the Erasmus+ project. The gathering was marked by connection, social interaction, and mutual encouragement to continue strengthening the rights of persons with deafblindness.
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A user of the DLAN Association together with the Secretary General of the DLAN Association, Dr. Simona Gerenčer (on the left), and the President of the Committee of the Deafblind of Lega del Filo d’Oro together with the Head of the Main Office for Institutional Activities and Volunteering, Erika Marra (on the right).
The tactile map of Slovenia and Italy symbolically represents the partnership between the two countries.
The hearts mark the seat of the DLAN Association in Ljubljana and the seat of the Lega del Filo d’Oro Foundation in Osimo.
Member of the Committee of the Deafblind, Stefania Piovesan (on the left), presenting a table flag to Secretary General Dr. Simona Gerenčer (on the right).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ljubljana, 29 October 2025