CITS to Present the Accessible Linguistic Environment Project at the Opening Ceremony of the Abilympics Championship

On May 19, the Caspian Higher School of Interpreting and Translation participated in a very significant event for all those involved in creating an inclusive environment, namely the opening ceremony of the 4th Regional Vocational Skills Championship for Disabled and Physically Challenged Persons called “Abilympics”.

Uliana Savelieva, Head of CITS, was invited to the opening ceremony of the championship as well as to the plenary session during which the trajectories and perspectives of inclusive education development in Astrakhan region were discussed. The venue for the event was the Astrakhan Provincial College, which is the basic professional educational organization in the system of inclusive professional education in the region.

The meeting highlighted important issues related to education and employment for people with disabilities. Reports were made by representatives of the regional Ministry of Higher Education and Science, Astrakhan Regional Employment Agency, Astrakhan State Medical University, Astrakhan Regional Public Organization for Harmonious Development of the Person “Movement-1”, regional branch of the All-Russian Society of the Deaf, regional branch of the All-Russian Society of Parents of Disabled Children in Astrakhan Region, regional organization of the All-Russian public organization of the disabled «All-Russian Order of Red Banner of Labour Association of the Blind».

Uliana Savelieva shared with the participants the project on development of accessible linguistic environment, CITS’ experience and the prospects for teaching interpreting with Russian Sign Language. This activity was of great interest to all the attendants and many noted the acute need for trained personnel to teach and interpret Russian Sign Language.

We are proud to note that the graduates of the Russian Sign Language and Deaf Culture course were invited to participate in the closing ceremony of the Abilympics Championship with a sign song “Peremen!” (Changes!) by Viktor Tsoi.