The core value is to understand and to be understood
About Signo
Signo offers nation-wide services with nine different units and presently provides services to more than 750 deaf and 180 deafblind persons.
The kinds of services offered vary greatly and they are as different as the people that take advantage of them. Signo provides housing, culture and leisure, education, sheltered work and work assistance. We do some research, assessments and guidance. We provide competence building and seminars on different subjects. In addition, Signo is a participant in international networks and development assistance.
Signo is located in Oslo, Andebu and Sandefjord, Bergen and Trondheim.
Throughout the whole organisation of Signo you will find competence and focus on communication. To us the impact of the Latin word “Signo” is “I’m signing”. We use sign language and various alternative and supplementary communication. The core value is to understand and to be understood. Communicating includes doing things together and this is something that Signo takes seriously.
The People Signo Works For
Signo has great experience of and knowledge about the challenges deaf and deaf-blind people face. In Signo, we are concerned with understanding, tolerating and also supporting people’s differences. Some seek an offer of service for a shorter period of time, while others need comprehensive offers of serviced housing.
The Organisation
Signo is an independent freehold diaconal foundation within the Church of Norway. Signo is a non- governmental, non-profit foundation. . The Council of the foundation appoints the Board members and adopt the foundation’s regulations. The main board holds the superior management of the foundation’s work. Each of the nine units has their own board.
The Secretary General is the manager of the foundation
The Secretary General is responsible for implementing the decisions of the main board as well as initiating new activities and projects, coordinating activities and being visible and available to the public.
The nine units have their own boards. Three of these units are stock companies. Financial support is based on agreements with the public authorities.
We have a total of 950 employees, with a gross turnover of NOK app 400 millions in 2008. Signo is Norway’s largest work place for deaf people, and approximately 140 deaf people are employed in all kinds of job positions.