“With the charity discussion dedicated to the problems and opportunities facing children and youth with hearing impairments, we want to draw public attention to the difficulties they face and together try to create better conditions for their integration, to show empathy and solidarity with them.“ This was stated by the head of the Delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists in the EP, Christian Vigenin, who, together with MEP Tsvetelina Penkova, organized the charity event, which brought together all interested parties - representatives of the Association “Association of Parents of Hearing Impaired Children″ (ARDUS), medical specialists, educational centers, social and non-governmental organizations, parents of children and youth with hearing impairment.
„Caring for children and youth with hearing impairment is our common responsibility. Let's not forget that being empathetic and helping people in need are the most important European and Bulgarian values. In the days before Christmas, we try to help children and parents who face the problems of integration of this community every day. To overcome them, specific ideas and initiatives are needed“, he emphasized. Vigenin recalled his participation in the development and adoption of the Sign Language Act, which is a step in this direction.
The MEP from the Delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists in the EP Tsvetelina Penkova believes that it is necessary to improve inclusive education and to have easier and more informed access to modern technologies and therapies. She pointed out that for children and young people with hearing impairments it is absolutely necessary to take measures that guarantee them a dignified and fair life.
“Our duty is to direct public attention to the problems and solutions. We need to unite institutions, the NGO sector, business, academia and all families so that we can together promote solidarity and the inclusion of more support for this cause“, added the MEP.
The People's Representative of the Bulgarian Socialist Party - United Left, Petya Tsankova, who has 20 years of pedagogical experience, shared a personal story from her practice. She emphasized the role and efforts of teachers to include children with hearing problems, so that they can unleash their potential and develop social skills. “Only in this way can they ensure a quality of life. Let us all together - institutions, parents, partners, be the voice of these children and create an environment in which they feel calm and understood!“, she urged.
The President of the “Ardus“ Association, Maria Krasteva, thanked the children and youth with hearing impairments for the support they receive with this charitable discussion. “Access to new technologies is needed. Children need adequate help, support at school and at university. This exists on paper, but not in practice. The system is not working. An adequate legal framework is needed that covers all aspects“, Krasteva emphasized.
The director of the Special School for Hearing Impaired Students “Prof. Decho Denev“ Sevdalina Dzhongarska said that concrete solutions are needed, not just talking about problems. “If we help even one more child, we have achieved great success“, she is convinced of the small steps towards the goal.
The deputy director of the Regional Center for Support of the Inclusive Education Process in Sofia Nevena Nikolova pointed out another problem: “There are too many hearing-impaired children in the country and too few rehabilitators and specialists to deal with their problems and provide the necessary care and attention.“
The mother of a hearing-impaired child, Ana Dimcheva, shared that a large part of parents are forced to seek private options. Thanks to the "Yanika" center and the doctors from the Military Medical Academy, Ana's daughter speaks and hears. "Every parent wants their child to have a chance for a normal and independent life. The problem is the lack of access to early diagnostics, there is almost none," she pointed out with pain.
According to the head of the ENT Clinic at the "Tsaritsa Ioana-ISUL" University Hospital, Prof. Diana Popova, new technologies and easy access to information are the future. "Integration into mainstream schools cannot be a universal solution. Every child is different, so the right solution is to create specialized groups. The next important step is mandatory screening for preschool children," she recommended.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doncho Donchev, Head of the Audiology and Otoneurology Department at the ENT Clinic of the Military Medical Academy, it is better for specialists to visit schools for screening in order to detect hearing deficits in children earlier and prevent them from falling behind in their development.
Tanya Dimitrova from the “Yanika“ educational center emphasized that the efforts of institutions, doctors, educators and parents must be united - not just in slogans, but also in practice. “Together we will offer real solutions. Parents should know that a solution is not only the surgical approach, but they can also turn to the gesture methodology“, she noted.
The event was attended by children and young people with hearing impairments. Dobrina Petranova, a student at NBU, presented her interests - photography, yoga and fitness.
Ventsislav Velev, a 12th grade student at NGDEK, with an extremely rich speech, noted how important it is to know history. He shared his choice of profession - to be an archaeologist, which is what he is currently studying. He ended with the words: “We can all do it!“. Miroslav Manov, a 3rd grade student, greeted the audience with his favorite poem and shared that he loves mathematics and choreography.
The event raised funds that will be provided to support parents of hearing-impaired children. The donation will be used for hearing and speech rehabilitation, for the purchase of teaching materials and batteries.
For contact with the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament: https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/.
