The program “Barrier-free Ukraine for the Deaf” is one of the first programs of the non-governmental organization Public Movement “Social Unity” at the national level. It was launched at the end of 2019.
For people with hearing impairments, everything that surrounds them is different.
- Sign language is native and unique. Deaf people think in images and even in dreams they see dialogues in sign language.
- More than 40% of Deaf people have difficulty understanding textual and graphic content. Therefore, the presence of texts and subtitles is not a solution.
- Lip reading gives 25-30% of visual information and does not always fully convey the essence. The basic ability to make a phone call or ask for help in a dangerous situation - all this is not available for people with hearing impairments.
Employment and career growth, receiving quality services in public and private institutions - everything that others do freely, turns into a number of barriers (language, psychological) for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing.
How to pass an interview without a sign language interpreter?
How to communicate with a doctor, tell what hurts, and what drugs there is an allergy to?
How to confirm the identity during the authorization in the bank if it is done by voice?
Deaf and Hard of Hearing people have equal rights, and we have to create opportunities for them to feel involved and accepted. After all, barrier-free life should become a social norm.
Through this program, we strive to draw the attention of society and the state to its citizens, people with hearing impairments of various degrees, with a view to implementing ready-made solutions that will help break down communication and psychological barriers in interaction.
The team of the non-governmental organization promotes modern digital services by which people with hearing loss have round-the-clock access to online sign language interpreters. It means that Deaf Ukrainians have the opportunity to obtain the services of a sign language interpreter without prior registration, wherever and whenever this need arises.
Together with relevant ministries and other partners who are not indifferent to the problems of the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, the non-governmental organization Public Movement “Social Unity” implements various projects and programs, such as "Available National Police", "Combating Violence against Hearing Impaired Women", "Creating Conditions for Social Adaptation of People with Hearing Impairments" and others.
