The non-governmental organization Public Movement "Social Unity" signed a Memorandum of Partnership with the Kharkiv City Council within the framework of the project "Barrier free Ukraine for the Deaf". As a part of this cooperation, almost all municipal institutions and organizations of Kharkiv were adapted to the needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. The partnership with the Kharkiv City Council, which aims to create a barrier-free space for the hearing impaired, was highly praised by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
In a year of project’s work in Kharkiv:
- ~5200 Kharkiv residents used the services of sign language interpreters via modern digital solutions and took part in events initiated by the NGO Public Movement "Social Unity"
- 4054 appeals of Kharkiv residents to municipal institutions were accompanied by sign language interpreters thanks to Connect PRO
- 818 Kharkiv residents used a special web widget Connect WEB installed on the sites of state institutions
- 226 hours of sign language translation were provided by interpreters of LLC "Technologies for People" during 11 calendar months
As part of the project, various events are held with the support, participation, and initiative of the NGO Public Movement "Social Unity", the Kharkiv City Council, and technical partner. Here are some of them:
- Reception of citizens using Connect PRO. All institutions are equipped with information guides about services for Deaf people. Experienced sign language interpreters from the contact center provide professional and high-quality translation in 24x7x365 mode.
- Training of personnel on the use of the software. A training video course https://youtu.be/LjYs1s8UJ8o has been developed. The training of employees of government agencies serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens of Kharkiv is conducted.
- Accessibility map: Kharkiv city authorities provided almost all city institutions with special means for comfortable communication with Deaf people. These institutions are marked with unique stickers "We serve the Deaf" and placed on the interactive accessibility map https://se.org.ua/availability-map
- Pilot project QR Code. QR codes for quick communication with a sign language interpreter were installed in Kharkiv polyclinics. QR codes are placed near the reception, in the doctor's office, and on the territory of the polyclinic. Thanks to this system, a Deaf person has an opportunity to call a sign language interpreter, leave a response, complaint, or suggestion regarding service in a state institution.
- With the support of the non-governmental organization Public Movement "Social Unity" and the social initiative of MEGOGO "See how it is heard", a free film screening with a sign language translation was held for Family Day! The event took place on July 8 at 18:00 in Kharkiv.
- NGO Public Movement "Social Unity" held a bowling tournament dedicated to Youth Day! The event took place on June 28, 2021. Address: Kharkiv, Nikolsky shopping mall, bowling club "LuckyStrike".
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW TO THE PROJECT "KHARKIV FOR THE DEAF"
- 01.08.2020 – 31.12.2020 A joint initiative of the Kharkiv city authorities to solve the communication problems of people with hearing impairments in society. Carrying out a pilot project for people with hearing loss and introducing modern digital services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing visitors in more than 60 healthcare facilities in Kharkiv.
- The non-governmental organization Public Movement "Social Unity" has established a separate support center in Kharkiv. Members of the non-governmental organization help Deaf and Hard of Hearing Kharkiv residents, involve people with hearing impairments in the use of the latest communication services in municipal institutions, and train representatives of public institutions to use applications.
- Specialized licensed software Connect PRO and Connect WEB is installed in almost all municipal institutions. The full list of institutions is at the link. A web widget is installed on the websites of the organizations, which allows Kharkiv people with hearing loss to solve important issues online.