At the initiative of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, in the Governmental contact center in 2017, a web-communication for hearing impaired people was introduced in the test mode. Thus, on the management platform of the reception organization, a sector of reception of applications using the sign language for the possibility of hearing impaired people by means of video communication was created to turn to the government hotline of 1545 with proposals (remarks), statements (petitions), complaints addressed executive bodies.
From the beginning of 2018, the Center accepts such calls with the help of Skype-calling by the following names: Government hotline 1545-1, Government hotline 1545-2, Government hotline 1545-3. To this end, the issue of the staffing of the sector of reception of conversations using sign language was resolved. Special requirements for such employees: practical experience of sign language interpreter, recommendations of professional associations of sign language interpreters in Ukraine, possession of Ukrainian sign language, as well as experience with hearing impaired citizens. Leading consultants in the sector, Vistnik Lidia and Ionov Aliona, trained at the Ukrainian Language Society Center for the Deaf (UTOG).
On May 22, 2018, the Government Contact Center hosted an examination for Vyshnik Lydia and Ionova Aliona in order to determine the level of knowledge of the Ukrainian sign language for receiving applications to the executive authorities from hearing impaired persons. Members of the Examination Commission took part in the event: Chepchina I.I. – Head of the CPU Ukrainian Society of the Deaf, Krivko T.O. – First Deputy Head of the UTOG; Director of the Cultural Center UTOG Goncharenko V.M .; Head of the School of Sign Language Zhurkova T.V. and school teachers. All of them are partners of the Government Contact Center for expanding the communication of civil society organizations with executive authorities. Also, the leadership of the Government Contact Center was present.
According to the results of the exam, the Center’s employees were presented with certificates certifying that they had passed the basic course of studying the basics of the Ukrainian sign language.
Summing up the event, Acting Director of the Governmental Contact Center Olena Antonenko noted that joint efforts for citizens with a violation of the functions of speech and hearing have created the possibility of full and effective participation in the life of society on an equal basis with others, which promotes the realization of their rights, the adoption of public authorities important decisions taking into account the opinion of this category of citizens.