The educational mini-course "Conspiracy by gesture" is available on the YouTube channel "1+1 media"

In the last week of September, a two-day educational course on sign language was held for "1+1 media" employees. Since October 4, the videos have been posted on the YouTube channel so that everyone can listen to the recording and learn the basic words and phrases of sign language.

About 50,000 deaf people are registered in Ukraine, although in reality, they are much more, since not all Ukrainians are registered. Today, a deaf person, in case of need, does not have the possibility of quick and easy access to communication with emergency services. Therefore, it is important when someone can help to call an ambulance or other service. We never know when we may find ourselves in critical situations alone with a hearing impaired person. How to understand what she is explaining in order to help her promptly?

That is why the idea of a mini-course to teach Ukrainians the basic words of sign language arose. The educational course "Conspiracy in Gesture" was developed by Tetyana Radchenko and Lyudmila Rudenko, sign language interpreters of the Television News Service (TSN).

In addition to phrases for communication in critical situations, the listeners had the opportunity to learn the alphabet, their first and last name, learn greetings and learn more about the people with deafness who surround us (and among them: politicians, athletes, and models, and poets, and even dancers). At the second meeting of the course, there was an introduction to the deaf and talented Ukrainian architect Oleksiy Nashivchnik, and all those present learned and performed the song "Ukraine is you" in sign language.

"Deaf people always have a very positive perception of people who address them in their language. Even if you just say "Thank you" to the deaf cashier in sign language and smile, you will do much more than you might think at first glance. And if you learn a little more words, you will be able to communicate without barriers and meet very interesting people," says Tetyana Radchenko, a sign language interpreter for TSN news.

"In our society, there are a lot of stereotypes, superstitions and misconceptions about people with hearing impairment. I really wanted to break them and show that deaf people are the same people as everyone else. Sign language is no more difficult to learn than any foreign language. We strive to create a society of equal opportunities, so let's improve ourselves and be more tolerant of people who differ from us only in their lack of hearing," says Lyudmila Rudenko, sign language interpreter for TSN news.

"Words on the tips of the fingers" is a very beautiful description of sign language, which we touched during the two days of training. I attended both lectures, since, in my opinion, everyone should have this knowledge. We live in the same city, country with people with hearing impairments, and it is important to learn to understand each other," says Maria Komisarova, participant of the educational course, coordinator of the Kidsguide project, about her impressions.

On October 3, 4, you can learn basic sign language phrases by watching video lectures on the "1+1 Media" YouTube channel.