The Government of the Russian Federation has prepared a bill “On Amendments to Article 15 of the Law“On Education”and Articles 14 and 19 of the Federal Law“On Social Protection of Disabled Persons in the Russian Federation”, according to which a number of institutions will be obliged to provide a sign language interpreter when providing services to people with hearing disabilities.
The news about social support for the deaf and dumb was spread by the ITAR-TASS agency with reference to the words of the head of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection Maxim Topilin.
The Cabinet of Ministers has already considered amendments to the legislation in the field of social protection of disabled people regarding the use of the Russian sign language. As the minister explained to the news agency, this document will bring Russian legislation in line with the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In May, Russia ratified the Convention and is obliged to contribute to the creation of an anti-discrimination environment for people with disabilities.
Thus, in stages, state and non-state institutions of various orientations will be adapted for people with disabilities and those who communicate only with the help of sign language. They should “receive these services in a form accessible to themselves,” Topilin said. He explained that first of all he means all state and commercial health care institutions, social protection bodies, as well as institutions involved in the provision of material services.
Another example for the Finam FM publishing house was cited by the chairman of the State Duma Committee on Labor and Social Policy Andrei Isaev: “So, if a person with hearing problems, dumb or blind from birth, is elected a deputy of any government body, then at the expense of the budget he can highlight a sign language interpreter. This will ensure the full participation of the elected politician in the discussion and decision-making."
Moreover, another one has been added to the responsibilities of authorities at all levels: creating the most comfortable conditions for the hearing impaired to receive education, which will require additional training of teachers and translators, RIA Novosti reports. Thus, educational institutions will be added to the list of institutions with compulsory sign language translation.
