A Model Design and Development of Lifelong- Education Program for the Deaf - Focused on Communicating With Magic in Citizen Education -

This study aims to expand lifelong learning opportunities and promote social integration for individuals with hearing impairments by designing and developing a citizen-participatory lifelong education program titled “Communicating Through Magic.” To achieve this goal, the study pursued three key research objectives: (1) to identify user needs for developing a magic-based citizen participation education program tailored for individuals with hearing impairments; (2) to examine the feasibility of program development and construct an educational model accordingly; and (3) to evaluate the field applicability of the developed program through expert reviews and refine it based on their feedback. The study focused on analyzing the effects of magic activities on the social skills, self-esteem, and non-verbal communication abilities of individuals with hearing impairments, as well as assessing the program’s validity and practical applicability as a form of citizen-participatory education. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including literature analysis, surveys, Delphi studies, and focus group interviews (FGIs). The findings revealed that engagement in magic activities had a positive impact on participants’ self-efficacy and social interaction skills. Moreover, the developed program was rated highly in terms of relevance and feasibility in real-world settings. This study holds theoretical and policy implications by presenting a creative and actionable model for inclusive lifelong education specifically designed for the hearing-impaired population.