Training institute
The Training institute (S.T.R.I.D.E.) offers training of hearing, Deaf and handicapped teachers and technicians. This is done in spoken and written Arabic and in Arabic Sign language. Emphasis lies on special and inclusive education of deaf and deafblind children, audiology, theory and methods of education and the development of educational resources, as well as the techniques for teaching Sign language, etc.
The department aims to promote and raise the quality and scope of the institute’s work to the greatest possible extent. It likes to share theoretical and practical know-how and experience, which is made available on a national and regional level.
The department produces and publishes books, educational material and resources on Deaf education, rehabilitation and theory and methods of education, Deaf culture and the history of Deafness, Sign language dictionaries and research on Sign language grammar, etc. S.T.R.I.D.E. aims to provide longer-term educational and technical support for its trainees and their schools and projects. S.T.R.I.D.E. is based in Jordan but it provides services throughout the poorer countries in the Middle East. Some 150-200 trainees attend S.T.R.I.D.E. training and resource programmes annually. Courses have been held in Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, the West Bank and other countries.
Since 1997 an old and historic hospital building in the town of Salt is being renovated. Progress is slow due to the enormity of the task and limited financial and human resources, but the building will eventually accommodate the S.T.R.I.D.E. centre and its various activities.