Our project promoted equitable access to astronomy for deaf children and adults in Venezuela and Germany. It began at the Centre for Astronomical Research in the Andes with mobile planetarium sessions (Astro-Bus) and sky observations at Mérida's observatory. A core component involved systematic co-creation of neologisms in sign language to address the lexical gap in astronomical terminology—a critical barrier to conceptual learning. Digital platforms proved effective for sharing astro-news in sign language. Since 2023, the project moved to Germany, integrating events in schools and summer camps through the "juteo" program (Federal Association for the Deaf), enabling comparative analysis of pedagogical infrastructures and inclusion policies between South American and European contexts.

About Contreras-Quintero Jhoel

Born in Mérida, Venezuela. 1985
Deaf after birth through the use of antibiotica because of an infection.
Special School and High School for deaf in Mérida, Venezuela.
Member of the first graduated group in Education with focus on deaf culture at the University of Los Andes in Venezuela.
Project officer at Centre of Astronomical Research CIDA (Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomía) in Mérida, Venezuela.
Project officer at Federal Association for the Deaf (Förderverein der Gehörlosen Bund) in Germany.