DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PEOPLE AS AWARE RECIPIENTS AND CREATORS OF THE CULTURAL OFFER

The article attempts to approach the subject of making culture accessible for people with hearing impairment from the perspective including social, cultural and linguistic issues. The most important matters discussed in the first part of the article are: history of the sign language and the Deaf culture in Poland as well as ambiguities related to communication methods, i.e. differentiating between the sign language and the manual code for spoken language. Based upon the considerations above, the following issues are presented: the role of a sign language interpreter in the process of making culture accessible, and the role of Polish language as an uncertain medium of conveying information to people with hearing impairment. In the article, theoretical considerations alternate with practical guidelines and solutions, which might facilitate the process of creating an offer for this particular type of museum visitor. The concluding part contains a list of the most interesting projects being conducted in Poland, which might be valuable as an inspiration for beginners in organising events dedicated to the deaf and hard of hearing people.