A Centre for receiving and transmitting information from hearing-impaired individuals to emergency services has been launched in Vitebsk today, as reported to BELTA correspondent by Lidiya Sokolovskaya, Chairperson of the Vitebsk Regional Organisation of the Belarusian Association of the Deaf.
The Centre will operate around the clock at the premises of the regional organisation of the Belarusian Association of the Deaf, employing four sign language interpreters. The resource operates as follows: a person contacts the reception centre, a sign language interpreter relays the message to emergency services, and then informs the caller that their request has been received, specifying, for example, the estimated arrival time of an ambulance.
"The establishment of such a centre significantly eases the lives of hearing-impaired individuals. Now, they can contact an emergency assistance centre employee via Skype at any time to resolve their issue. The main requirement for assistance is that the caller must have a mobile phone, tablet, or computer with video communication capabilities," explained Lidiya Sokolovskaya.
According to her, Vitebsk residents will also receive assistance with everyday matters (e.g., calling a plumber, booking an appointment at a clinic). For callers from other cities and districts of the region, only the ability to contact emergency services will be available for now.
Specialists at the reception and transmission centre can be contacted via Skype (9191-vitebsk), as well as by phone (including via Viber and WhatsApp): 8(0212) 23-57-29 (landline) and 8(025) 919-10-10 (Life).
The provision of social intermediary services for receiving and transmitting messages to emergency services from hearing-impaired individuals is organised through a state social order.
The Belarusian Association of the Deaf has just over 1,000 members in the Vitebsk region.