The project creates an interdisciplinary coalition with all V4 and EaP countries. It imparts knowledge and experience of V4 countries in terms of the accessibility of information for the deaf and the blind (D&B) in the EasternPartnership countries(EaP). It goes beyond the D&B, creating an international expert forum, connecting the D&B, media, and public administration entities. It educates specialists from EaP, prepared for professional cooperation with the media and public institutions in terms of sharing information accessible for D&B.

By founding the Accessibility Academy and Handbook-Bridge to Accessibility,it gives the know-how, sets new directions and shows, how to shape new communication strategies regarding the disadvantaged groups in the crisis. This creates model multimedia materials compliant with the rules for information accessibility. The project responds to problems, which emerged in EaP during the COVID19 epidemic. Missing or incorrect interpretation of the governments and sanitary service announcements into sign language on TV or online cut the deaf from any information about the epidemic. It jeopardized the life and health of the deaf.

The number of sign language interpreters in EaP and their professionalism differ from the EU average. There are no regulated forms of cooperation between the media or public institutions with the D&B. There are no standards for sharing information with D&B persons in crisis situations. The project focuses on the needs of the deaf but introduces also some improvements for the blind.

Handbook – Bridge to Accessibility is the first analytical work in EaP on the current situation in each project country, and a collection of good practices and recommendations on information accessibility, created under the supervision of V4 organizations, enlarged by video materials, compliant with accessibility rules.

Thanks to QR codes, videos will be available on smartphones. It’s a base of knowledge and specific activities to be taken to improve the status quo. It sets directions and responds to the challenge of increasing information accessibility in the future. It incorporates the perspective of D&B with the scientific, media, and governmental point of view, thanks to which solutions answer to local capabilities.

The Accessibility Academy constitutes online seminars conducted by V4 experts. Participants from EaP shall obtain comprehensive knowledge required in everyday work. They’ll receive tools boosting their professionalism. Online activities give access to a wider audience. In Georgia and Moldova, Regional Interpreters Schools for sign language interpreters accredited in public institutions and media will be organized – they’ll build a professional interpreter’s group, prepared to cooperate with media and institutions during broadcasts. “Round Tables” will connect the media, sign language interpreters, D&B, and authorities responsible for communication. They’ll learn about each other’s needs and expectations. This shall result in better understanding and sensitivity to the topics of D&B.

Meetings shall result in interpretation standards in audiovisual materials with the model video.

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