What is the VGTC?
The VGTC is a forum where members of the Flemish deaf community, persons working for services or organisations designed to benefit the deaf, the hard of hearing and the deaf community and linguists with experience in sign language research can meet for discussion and project creation. These initiatives are aimed mainly – but not exclusively – at teaching and doing research on Flemish sign language.
In January 2008, the Flemish Government recognised the Flemish Sign Language Centre as "knowledge and coordination centre for Flemish Sign Language". Among the VGTC's primary tasks are:
- conducting research on the grammar of Flemish Sign Language
- • disseminating the results of that research in reports (in Dutch and in VGT), lectures, workshops...
- • providing information on Flemish Sign Language to the deaf and non-deaf at home and to answer requests for information from abroad
- • supporting other associations' and services' projects and endeavours regarding Flemish Sign Language.
Also important is that the Flemish Sign Language Centre serves as partner in discussions with Flemish and/or Belgian policymakers when they treat subjects relating to the linguistic aspects of the deaf community.
The VGTC's Origins
The Flemish Sign Language Centre was established as a non-profit organisation (NPO) in 1997. This NPO is the official continuation of a steering committee set up in 1995 by Cultuur voor Doven [Culture for the Deaf] – now called Fevlado Diversus [Federation of Flemish Organisations for the Deaf]. Its purpose was to bring together representatives of the Flemish deaf community (in practice: Fevlado and Cultuur voor Doven) and linguists with experience in sign language research.
The national committee that had done research in 1996-1997 on the status of Flemish sign language as part of the EU's Sign on Europe project also expressly desired its establishment.
Recognition for the VGT
In 2005 and 2006 we worked hard to prepare for VGT's recognition. In January 2005, DAF (Deaf Action Front) presented to the Flemish Parliament a petition to recognise the VGT. 71,000 people had signed this petition. VGTC's "recognise VGT" task force worked with DAF and Fevlado to prepare an explanatory memorandum to the application for recognition. On 04 March 2005, many organisations working in the field met to discuss the document and – if they were agreeable – to sign it. Those invited to attend included: Fevlado, Fevlado-Diversus, Fevlado-Passage, Jong-Fevlado, CAB, VVTG, CORA (the association of Flemish schools for the deaf), interpreters' training programmes, ODOK, VLOC, 't Signaal, vzw Welcom, Opdoss and De Teugel.
During the hearings that the Flemish Parliament held on 21 April 2005, Maartje De Meulder (DAF), Thierry Haesenne (Advisory committee for Belgian Walloon sign language) and Filip Verstraete (Fevlado) addressed the parliamentary Commission for Culture, Youth, Sport and Media. They interpreted the explanatory memorandum and answered the commission members' questions.
Afterwards, Helga Stevens, Nick Mouton, VGTC's recognition task force, DAF and Fevlado started work on a draft recognition decree. Representatives of government parties met to discuss the draft. The meeting brought up quite a few questions some about a "Centre for Flemish Sign Language" that would have to be established. This led to several VGTC members being invited to meet with government advisory staff for Culture. The draft decree became law on 26 april 2006. The VGTC's staff was closely involved in preparing the decree's implementation orders in the fall 2006 and 2007.