Yerevan, December 3, 2012

 

Today two websites specially designed in Armenian Sign Language were launched for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, by the efforts of Yerevan Special Educational Complex for Children with Hearing Impairments, and the French Armenian Development Foundation, and with the support of Orange Armenia Foundation. For people who have hearing problems since small age, it is often difficult or even impossible to learn reading texts based on phonetic alphabet, so the existence of content with sign language makes it more accessible. In the same time, the textual content gives the possibility to get information on the issues of this community to large audience. 

Francis Gelibter, Chairman of board of the Orange Foundation, said:  “The issues of people with hearing disabilities are very important to the Orange Foundation we are happy to support initiatives that make life easier and more interesting for this community. Both websites have important information for people with hearing disabilities and also for people interested in the problems of this community and it is good to see that internet can make a positive change to people with these issues.”

www.deaflife.am, is designed by the teachers and students of the Yerevan Special Educational Complex for Children with Hearing Impairments: It is a best mean to preserve and transmit the history, language and culture of deaf people, get information independently and be integrated to the society. 

Ashot Avetisyan, director of Yerevan special school for children with hearing disabilities, said: «First I would like to thank Orange Foundation for their financial support to the creation of this special website, for creating a computer room in our school and providing internet access, a video camera and TVset. In this modern era of information technologies, the creation of Deaflife website, the provision of internet at the school make a crucial change for people with hearing disabilities, who generally have difficulties in getting information alone. We believe this is not the issue of the deaf but hearing community, which has been addressed in a way our school with the support of the Orange Foundation»

Pupils of the school have been directly involved in collecting and presenting the materials, with their wishes, propositions and opinions. 

The website is also valuable in a sense that it is accessible to elderly people with hearing problems, children, and is useful for different social groups: parents of deaf children, their teachers and other interested parties, both with or without hearing disabilities. 

www.deaf.am  website, financed and designed by the French Armenian Development Foundation will raise positive awareness on the cultural and linguistic aspects of the Deaf experience and will promote the exchange of information and experiences between the Deaf and persons without hearing problems.

Mr. Alain TOUHADIAN, President of the Board of Trustees of  French Armenian Development Foundation, said: «The creation of this portal is our modest contribution to reduce the social exclusion of the Deaf and hard of hearing persons because all human beings are equal in Dignity and Rights. The services provided by the WDC are in  line with the Foundation’s “Dialogue-Training and Social Integration Center for Deaf and Hard of hearing persons” created in 2008 with the support of the European Union and Association Arménienne d’Aide Sociale (AAAS-France)». 

The Educational, Cultural and Awareness video materials in Armenian Sign Language will enhance the teaching, learning and performance among 3,500 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons and their families in Armenia and contribute to Equality in Education. 

 

  -   Сharity