Sign language courses for employees of various institutions and organizations have begun in the city of Rivne.

Over the course of 2.5 months, participants will study 28 topics, mastering basic gestures for effective communication with people with hearing impairments. Upon completion of the training, students will receive certificates.

The training is attended by:

👮‍♂️ Police officers — 27

🚒 State Emergency Service employees — 20

🏢 Central Emergency Service employee — 1

🤝 Charity fund "Bethesda. House of Mercy" — 2

💼 Individual entrepreneur — 1

🔥 Gas distribution network employee — 1

⛪ From the church — 1

👉 Total students: 53

The first lesson has already taken place, and the participants began their training with the basics — learning the dactyl (the alphabet in sign language). This is a fundamental step towards further mastering sign language.

At the opening of the courses, teachers were introduced, including two people with hearing impairments, which is particularly inspiring and demonstrates real inclusion.

The following welcomed the participants:

– Pavlo Smal, Deputy Head of the NGO “Gesture of Help”

– Ruslan Zhirkov, Head of the Department of Psychological Support and Social and Humanitarian Work of the Center for Supporting the Activities of the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Rivne Region

– Oksana Ostapchuk, representative of the Department of the Main Inspection and Human Rights Compliance in Rivne region

– Andriy Pehotin, deputy of the Rivne Regional Council

They wished the participants good luck, inspiration, and perseverance in their studies, emphasizing the importance of steps towards barrier-free access and understanding people with hearing impairments.

NGO "Gesture of Help" sincerely wishes all participants successful training and further implementation of knowledge in practice.