IFES’ First Dialogue Group for Deaf Citizens

IFES/Armenia has been actively working to strengthen awareness and participation of all citizens in Armenia, including women, children, youth and citizens with disabilities. Recently, the IFES/Lori office organized a Dialogue Group for residents with varying degrees of hearing impairments to address urgent issues and their full participation in community life. The meeting was organized in association with the Lori branch of the “Union of Deaf of Armenia” NGO. Participants discussed steps that can be taken to solve pressing problems facing the deaf community in the region. For example, the absence of a specialized school for deaf children and the inability to obtain special discounts for using public transportation to travel to the specialized school in Yerevan (this is where the only specialized school remains after the 1988 earthquake.)

An important outcome of the meeting was the creation of an Initiative Group (IG) focused on the creation of a special school for deaf children in Vanadzor. The Union will again work with IFES instructors and plans to file a request to the governor, the Ministry of Education, entrepreneurs, and other organization for funding. As a result of Armenia’s current school reforms, there may be space available in a number of school buildings. The Union will look into utilizing such space for a new school. In addition, members will apply and send applications to the regional and local authorities to secure transportation discounts for those who have to travel to Yerevan to attend the special school.