MDA offers sign language teaching. In Maldives there is a mixture of sign language. The signs are completely different in the islands where they have developed a language through their own signs and there is difference between the older and younger generation as well. Special education teachers also use a unique form of communication which is a blend of their own gesticulations as well as signs learnt from the children and from two dictionaries, one American and one British. MDA conducts standard sign language training for teachers from islands. MDA also provides three months long training for parents and community members. Since MDA uses the recently released Maldives Sign Language Dictionary for training it is expected that a common national sign language will be established. MDA has begun vocational training for deaf persons. On 21 July 2009 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme of the Ministry of Human Resource, Youth and Sports (MHRYS) signed a contract with MDA to provide arts and crafts training in Male’ for deaf people in the Maldives. The broad objective of the programme is to build the skills of deaf adults, so that they can find work and live more independently. Under this programme, the MDA has received RF 224 000 from government to roll out an arts and crafts course for deaf youth between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age. The schedule was to inaugurate the eight-month long program on 28 July 2009 at Jamaluddin School. There are also plans to commence another five courses in cooperation with the government towards vocational training in photography and videography, culinary skills and hospitality, household mechanics, automotive ACTIVITIES ADDRESSING RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES mechanics, and fashion design. This is a good example of partnership between government and ... 56 civil society to better the lives of persons with disabilities. MDA organises sports activities for the deaf in collaboration with Olympic Committee of the Maldives. The MDA teams competed with the national football and basketball teams to mark the World Disability Day 2008. 8.3 Association for disAbility and Development The Association for disAbility & Development (ADD) is a support group on disability that brings parents and caretakers together. ADD (http://www.addmaldives.org/blog/) provides one-stop practical information, success strategies, and moral support for persons with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities. The mission of ADD is to connect persons with disabilities or their parents/caregivers to answers to the questions they have and build their