D’Driven Erasmus+ Project Midway Success: Employers and DHH Individuals Embrace Inclusive Training Date: 06/05/2024 The D’Driven Erasmus+ Project has reached a critical milestone, with significant progress being made toward fostering workplace accessibility for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals (DHH). Since its inception, the project has successfully developed a comprehensive training programme, engaged businesses across multiple industries, and introduced interactive tools designed to support inclusive recruitment and employment practices. As the project advances, its impact is becoming increasingly evident, with businesses and individuals embracing the training and implementing real-world changes. Workplace Communication via sign-language The development of the project’s online learning platform has been a key highlight, with its rich repository of training modules tailored for both employers and DHH employees. These modules cover a range of crucial topics, including workplace communication strategies, assistive technologies, legal rights, and strategies for fostering a supportive and inclusive corporate culture. More than just an educational resource, this platform catalyses change, providing businesses with actionable insights and practical solutions to enhance accessibility. Employers participating in the learning, teaching and training activities (LTTAs) have reported a transformative experience, with many implementing immediate changes in their recruitment policies and workplace environments. The integration of role-playing simulations has been particularly effective, offering employers a hands-on opportunity to understand the real-life challenges faced by DHH employees. This experiential approach has proven invaluable in shifting mindsets and fostering empathy, two key components in building an inclusive workplace. In parallel, these sessions have covered vital skills such as resume-building, interview techniques, and self-advocacy in the workplace. Many participants have expressed newfound confidence in pursuing career opportunities. According to Christiana Tartios, “We are seeing a positive shift in how businesses approach accessibility. Many employers are not just learning—they are actively implementing inclusive practices. This project demonstrates that with the right tools and knowledge, workplaces can become truly welcoming spaces for everyone.” As the project moves forward, the team is focused on refining the training materials, expanding outreach efforts, and finalising the digital hub that will serve as a permanent resource for businesses and DHH individuals. The upcoming pilot trials will assess the effectiveness of the training and provide critical feedback to ensure the platform remains a dynamic and evolving resource. For the latest updates, visit www.ddriven.eu

📢The Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry has announced a Call for applications within the framework of the 2nd Announcement of the "Scheme for the Creation, Modernisation and Digital Upgrading of Manufacturing and Trading Units of agricultural products" 💡 The Scheme aims to support existing and new Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which are active or will be active in the processing and/or marketing of agricultural products. Activities eligible for funding: ▶ The marketing of fruit and vegetables, i.e. packaging, standardization, sorting, preservation, cooling, and storage of fruit and vegetables, including potatoes (fresh fruit and vegetable packing houses). ▶The standardisation/packaging of olive oil, eggs and processing, standardisation/packaging of meat and dairy products. Meat repacking is not included in eligible activities. ▶The concentration / pre-cooling of milk and the pasteurization of milk. ▶Slaughterhouses for poultry, rabbits and other animals. ▶Retail markets and flower packaging and distribution centres (investments at the retail level are not eligible). ✉ 📞 For more information, interested parties can contact our company by phone at 22318403 or by email at info@cktbusiness.com

What qualities do you look for in a leader? You’d probably expect them to be powerful, charismatic, and decisive. However, you might overlook the value of being funny.   Research shows that humor has many benefits in the workplace , including drawing team members closer together, reducing stress, and increasing productivity. The truth is most employees need a little cheering up. While the average four-year-old laughs about 300 times a day, they're down to three chuckles by the time they turn 40! On the other hand, there are limits. You know you’ve gone too far if you make someone cry or you choose a comedian for your role model. Effective leaders know how to use humor to their advantage.  Join their ranks by studying these tips for remaining professional while you tap into your funny side.  The Benefits of Leading with Humor:   Enhances job performance.  Laughter can be profitable because it triggers brain chemicals that help you to concentrate and think creatively. A study by the University of Warwick found that introducing comedy into the workday increased productivity by 12%. Boosts your reputation. Other research has found that leaders who use humor are viewed as being more competent and credible,  and they receive higher ratings from their subordinates. Lightening up could help you too stand out. Reduces stress.  Heavy workloads are one of the major reasons job stress has increased steadily in recent decades. Having opportunities to relax makes it easier to accomplish more. Strengthens relationships.  Humor is often a social activity. You learn things about your coworkers that may not be listed on their resume, and you create happy memories that deepen your bonds. Protects your health.  There are also many benefits for your physical and mental wellbeing. For example, humor can help relieve pain, boost your immune system, and lessen depression and anxiety.  Tips for Using Humor at Work:   Stay safe.  Many standup comedians try to be controversial, but you need to watch out for your job security. Steer clear of sensitive topics like politics, religion, and any kind of stereotypes. Pace yourself.  Surprise your colleagues with a witty remark now and then. If you joke around from sunup to quitting time, it will be difficult for them to take you seriously when they need to. Consider your audience.  Different industries and companies have their own cultures. Pay attention to how others react in order to gauge whether you’re amusing them or offending them. Liven up meetings.  Zoom fatigue is a real thing (so does in person meetings). Make your presentations more memorable by setting them to music or throwing in animations and other moving elements. Tell stories. Humor can be especially meaningful when you tie it into an appropriate narrative.  Strengthen your connection by revealing something about your personal life. Find a case study that backs up your point. Stage events.  Encourage friendly competition with your own office Olympics. Host a movie night with popcorn and retro candy. As a leader, you can make your team laugh without getting into trouble with the HR department. You’ll be making your employees happier and your business more successful.

Success & Business Growth through Consulting Business consultants play a crucial role in helping organizations and companies achieve their goals and improve performance. Whether it is strategy development, market analysis, organizational design or technology implementation, a consultant's expertise and experience can bring valuable insights and solutions to a business. Here are some of the key benefits of using a business consultant: Objectivity - Consultants bring a fresh perspective and are not bogged down by the daily operations and politics of a business. They can offer objective advice and recommendations to help a business tackle complex problems. Industry Knowledge - Consultants often have extensive experience and knowledge in their field of expertise, which they can apply to a business's specific needs. This expertise can provide a competitive advantage and help the business stay ahead of industry trends and developments. Cost-Effective - Hiring a consultant can often be more cost-effective than hiring a full-time employee with similar expertise. Consultants can bring the specialized skills needed for a particular project, without the ongoing cost of a full-time employee. Improved Performance - Consultants can help businesses identify areas for improvement and implement changes that lead to better performance. This can include streamlining processes, increasing efficiency, and boosting revenue. Access to Resources - Consultants often have a network of resources, including other professionals and businesses, which they can leverage to the advantage of their clients. This can include access to the latest tools, technologies, and best practices. Reduced Risk - By bringing in a consultant, a business can reduce the risk of making costly mistakes or implementing ineffective solutions. Consultants can provide guidance and recommendations based on their experience and expertise, helping businesses make informed decisions. A business consultant can be a valuable asset to your organization. In conclusion, the use of a business consultant can bring a wide range of benefits to organizations and companies. Whether it is improving performance, reducing risk, or accessing industry knowledge and resources, a consultant's expertise can help businesses achieve their goals and stay ahead in a competitive market. So, whether you are facing a specific challenge, or just looking to improve your overall operations, a business consultant can be a valuable asset to your organization.

Inclusive marketing is crucial in today's world, where nearly 15% of the world's population experiences some form of disability. Historically, the portrayal of people with disabilities in marketing has rendered them all but invisible, but it's time to change that. The insights that follow were built with input from community partners and may be used as a starting point to help create marketing that positively and authentically represents people with disabilities – including, but more importantly, beyond key moments like Disability Employment Awareness Month campaigns. The premise of disability-inclusive marketing is that marketing should represent and be accessible to all people with or without disabilities. Not only is including people with disabilities the right thing to do, but it also makes marketing more authentic. Authentic marketing can do more to represent the wide range of abilities and neurodiversity in the world around us. Around the world, over 1 billion people live with some form of disability. In the U.S., 20.3 million families have at least one member with a disability, and one in four adults live with a disability. Ultimately, most people will live with some form of disability in their life. This market size doubles when considering family members, caregivers, and others. There is no single way to define disability – it’s an umbrella term with different meanings across different people. One thing is certain: the world is filled with people who have a range of apparent and non-apparent disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability as someone who has “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.” Yet many people don’t define themselves by or feel limited because of their disability — instead, they view disability as a strength. Disabilities are not always apparent. One U.S. study found that among people with disabilities, 74% don’t use anything that could visually signal their disability. Non-apparent disabilities can often limit daily activities, range from mild challenges to severe limitations, and vary from person to person. Disability is usually broken into several broad classifications, such as blind or low-vision, chronic health conditions, deaf or hard-of-hearing, learning disabilities, neurodiversity, physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and speech disabilities. Inclusive marketing, with a special focus on digital marketing, can make a positive impact on society and is also good for business. Inclusion must be a top priority in all marketing efforts, and it's up to us to make sure that every disabled person has the right to experience the creative put out in the world. By partnering with community organizations and using a disability-inclusive marketing playbook, we can create marketing that positively and authentically represents people with disabilities. Let's commit to making marketing more inclusive and working towards a more equitable world.

Transforming Workplaces: The D’Driven Erasmus+ Project Launched to Support Deaf-Friendly Environments Date: 03/10/2022 The D’Driven Project has officially commenced, marking a significant step toward transforming businesses into deaf-friendly environments. This ambitious initiative is designed to empower both employers and Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals by fostering a more inclusive workplace culture. Through an innovative dual-curricula approach and the establishment of a dedicated hiring pool, the project seeks to bridge the employment gap and redefine accessibility in modern organizations. Online Sign-language Communication Led by the University of Deusto in Spain and supported by a consortium of six partners from Cyprus, Turkey, Romania, and Italy, the project will span 28 months with a budget of €250,000, funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme. This multinational collaboration ensures a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach to workplace inclusion, ensuring that the needs of diverse populations are addressed effectively. The D’Driven Erasmus+ Project is dedicated in creating an asynchronous learning platform, providing employers with essential tools and strategies to enhance inclusivity. This platform will include comprehensive training materials, real-life case studies, and interactive resources that will enable businesses to seamlessly integrate DHH employees into their workforce. By fostering an environment of understanding and support, the project aims to make inclusivity a standard practice rather than an exception. The initiative also places significant emphasis on awareness and education, ensuring that both employers and employees recognize the value of diversity in the workplace. Through targeted training sessions, businesses will learn how to adopt best practices for hiring, training, and retaining DHH employees. Meanwhile, DHH individuals will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to confidently navigate professional settings, empowering them to thrive in their chosen careers. More information will be available shortly on the project's social media and dedicated website.