Autonomous non-profit organization "Philantropist"

Project idea

“Let's Be Friends!” is a series of 48 educational TV programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

 The programs will be broadcast weekly in Russian and Russian Sign Language.
 Each program lasts 20 minutes. Ten minutes are dedicated to educational or informative content, and ten minutes feature cartoons with sign language interpretation or cartoons in sign language. The hosts of the shows will be deaf young people aged 16 to 30, who will integrate into the filming team of hearing individuals.

 Each program is consulted by a sign language teacher and a specialist in sign language grammar and interpretation. Communication with deaf children on set and with the host is facilitated by a sign language interpreter and a sign language teacher.

 Thanks to this, children with hearing impairments overcome the disability complex, become active citizens, and prepare to continue their education.

The lessons are designed to help children with disabilities adapt to society. At the same time, all programs are voiced and are accessible to any children's audience across the country. 

Relevance

The “Let's Be Friends!” project holds high social significance as it addresses the issue of limited access to quality education for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in the Republic of Tatarstan.

 According to statistics from the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Protection of Tatarstan, as of January 1, 2020, there are 4,339 deaf individuals aged 18 to 55 living in Tatarstan.

 Among them, 201 individuals are recognized as first- and second-degree disabled, and 2,016 individuals as third-degree disabled. Out of these, 1,411 individuals are unemployed, 1,875 individuals work in state enterprises, 750 individuals have secondary education, and 2 individuals have higher education. A total of 574 people are studying in schools, colleges, and vocational schools.

 These figures indicate weak integration into society and self-realization for people with hearing disabilities. One of the reasons for this outcome can be considered the informational vacuum in which deaf and hard-of-hearing people find themselves.

 From January 1, 2020, in order to ensure information accessibility via television, radio broadcasting, electronic, and information-communication technologies, broadcasters are required to ensure the accessibility of media products for people with hearing disabilities.

 This requirement was introduced as part of the Russian Federation's obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

 According to the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media, content adapted for people with hearing disabilities must make up at least 5% of a television channel’s total weekly broadcast time.

 Referring to the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, the regulator suggests subtitling, including closed captioning, scrolling text, and sign language interpretation as options for adapting content for deaf and hard-of-hearing people (source: RIA Novosti).

 There are about 90,000 deaf people in Russia, which is 112 people per 100,000 residents.

 In the country, 90,000 people consider Russian Sign Language (RSL) their native language.

 Only 5% of media content is accompanied by scrolling text (not even sign language interpretation!). This leads to the creation of an information vacuum among people with hearing disabilities and, consequently, to problems in socialization.

Social effect

Increasing the vocabulary and broadening the horizons of deaf people. Socialization and adaptation in society for deaf people. Motivation for the development of deaf children.