Hearing Impaired Support Center “Hear the Silence”
Fitness in Silence: Teens
Main values
Geography: Whole Russia
CSS contribution, rubles
Total budget, rubles
Implementation period, months
Project idea
The project's authors believe that health is an essential resource for every individual, crucial for the attainment of life's objectives. Individuals with hearing impairments and those who are deaf are no exception.
"Fitness in Silence: Teens" serves as an introductory program aimed at teaching individuals with hearing impairments health-preserving techniques, fostering a commitment to a healthy lifestyle, and encouraging the practice of regular exercise.
The project is an online software suite designed to teach fitness to deaf and hard-of-hearing teenagers through Russian Sign Language (RSL). The suite includes:
72 instructional video lectures on RSL.
In the video, a sign language interpreter will explain the exercises, their advantages, and the correct technique. A trainer will demonstrate the correct way to perform the exercises. The exercises are tailored to various muscle groups, taking into account the physical attributes of a teenager. The videos will be accessible on the project's website, as well as on the project's channel and YouTube channel. The lectures feature subtitles and enhanced audio for individuals with hearing impairments, who use hearing aids.
Customized exercise sets (for boys and for girls). The sets are intended to be carried out over a two-week period.
At least 5 online webinars.
Coaching support and feedback.
Once a week, project participants will have the opportunity to pose questions directly to the trainers through a form on the website. Throughout the week, the coaches will provide answers. In the chat room, members can communicate with one another, while group administrators will regularly post news and useful materials.
The course is tailored for participants at any level of skill and, due to its online format, becomes accessible to deaf teenagers throughout Russia.
Through these classes, teenagers with hearing impairments will start to embrace their bodies and the changes they undergo, preserve or enhance their health, and develop the habit of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In the future, they will mature into adults with proactive attitudes, become competitive professionals in the job market, and enjoy a high standard of living. Unemployment among the deaf will decrease, and the isolation of deaf individuals from the hearing community will diminish.
Relevance
Russia is home to one million children with hearing impairments, according to 2020 data from the Zdorovye Foundation. Of these, 278,000 are teenagers. According to the World Health Organization, this number is expected to rise by 40% by 2030. A hearing-impaired teenager is experiencing a challenging period. The body and inner world are undergoing rapid changes. Diffidence aggravates, self-esteem plummets, emotional sensitivity intensifies, insecurity mounts, and there is an increased rejection of oneself and one's body. It is necessary to embrace the body's changes, to learn how to perceive and enhance it. But 83% of deaf teens only participate in sports in physical education classes (data from Hear the Silence, 2020). The environment is not conducive to sports for the deaf. They lack a suitable environment to learn proper techniques. Over 50% of teachers are not proficient in sign language, nor are gym instructors, and online fitness programs lack real-time RSL interpretation. Text captioning is also unsuitable, as written language is effectively a second, foreign language to a deaf person, much like hieroglyphics are to someone who can hear. Consequently, deaf teenagers often exhibit compromised physical fitness, face health issues, harbor complexes, and demonstrate reduced work capacity. In the future, they may develop into passive adults suffering from poor health, diminished self-esteem, and a lack of willpower. They would possess a limited social network, get inadequate education, a low standard of living, and fragile civic engagement. Unemployment would increase, leading to heightened job competition among deaf individuals, and potentially resulting in greater isolation of deaf people from their hearing counterparts. The state will experience a loss of manpower and will incur additional costs.
The project's authors envision addressing these issues through the development of an accessible online course for sports in RSL. The online format gained particular relevance during the pandemic and will continue to be in demand post-pandemic due to its convenience. It also makes the project accessible to deaf teenagers from across Russia. The efficacy of educating the deaf through RSL has been substantiated by numerous researchers and public institutions.
Social effect
Enhancing health and fitness in teenagers with hearing loss via an accessible exercise program
KPI
KPI
Project Results
Based on the questionnaire survey results, the following positive changes were observed among the teenagers participating in the project: an increase in the self-esteem index, which includes self-confidence, self-perception of appearance, and self-criticism; at least 50% of the participants began engaging in regular sports activities; and a reduction in emotional stress was noted in 50% of the participants, as indicated by decreased levels of anxiety, confusion, fear, mood disturbances, passivity, or hyperactivity.
Certified teen fitness trainers engaged in both individual and group sessions. The format for presenting the material has been fully adapted for classes with deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
The webinar format was well-received by participants, covering essential topics such as emotional health, nutrition, and a master class on breathing techniques in yoga.
On September 24, in celebration of the World Day of the Deaf, a grand event took place at the "VForme" fitness club. They conducted master classes in dance, aikido, and fun races. Overall, approximately 100 people attended the event.
The plan to record 72 videos did not materialize as expected; we managed to complete only 62. The initial training level for the classes was set at an elementary level, but as the program progressed, the Foundation's team revised the training structure. Specialists designed 24 exercise routines—12 for boys and 12 for girls—organized into two separate two-week training plans. This method offers a holistic program designed to fortify the body and engage all muscle groups, despite having a reduced number of sessions.
Project progress after CSS funding
The project is not expensive to maintain. Costs are required for storing multimedia content and compensating the trainer, who is responsible for periodically updating lesson plans and providing feedback. Consequently, upon finalization of the grant from CSS, the project is intended to be financed through revenue generated from its operations and through fees collected from fundraising activities. Plans are also in place to extend the fitness project for the hearing impaired by creating a course designed for parents, at least one of whom is deaf. The course will teach parents how to participate in fitness activities alongside their children. Plans are also underway to develop a "Yoga for the Deaf" program.
