Niesłysząca doktorantka UŁ wygrywa konkurs doktoratów wdrożeniowych

Mgr Agnieszka Kołodziejczak, a student of the University of Lodz Doctoral School of Humanities and a graduate of #Unilodz, has won the industrial doctoral programme competition as part of the event entitled “Kadry Przyszłości – 5 lat Doktoratów Wdrożeniowych” [Staff of the Future – 5 Years of Industrial Doctoral Programmes] organised by the Łukasiewicz Research Network. Mgr Agnieszka Kołodziejczak has hearing impairment and her project is to assist people with a similar disability.

Presentation by mgr Agnieszka Kołodziejczak – industrial doctoral programme

Facilitating the reception of culture

In a specially prepared video, the winner presented assumptions of her industrial doctoral programme entitled "The problem of information accessibility in public institutions and social economy entities in the field of culture and art for people with disabilities and hearing impairment in Poland. Recommendations and standards” under the supervision of dr hab. Aneta Pawłowska, UL Professor. Its objective is to conduct an analysis and verification of the currently applied methods that support accessibility and perception of the content of culture and art, as well as the "cultural mediation" as a whole in the social and cultural life in Poland. 

A portrait photo of the winner wearing a coat with colourful parts and a violet hat which compliments her red hair

Mgr Agnieszka Kołodziejczak, places special emphasis on cultural and visual education, as well as social support. When asked about the adaptation of Polish institutions to people with hearing impairments in terms of the accessibility of information, she easily indicates areas that require modification.

Information accessibility is significantly improving; however, it still requires a change of thinking in numerous public institutions. Subtitles, both live and for video materials, especially for people who do not know sign language is the greatest weakness.

This is my career path!

The winner, as a person with a disability, struggles with difficulties in public places on a daily basis.

As for me, I encounter all kinds of difficulties due to the stereotypical thinking and fear of the unknown. This distinction means a lot to me and confirms it’s been a good choice of professional and scientific path.

mgr Agnieszka Kołodziejczak

Source: Weronika Jędruszek, Promotion Centre, University of Lodz