Vigenin and Penkova with a commitment to new solutions for including children and young people with hearing impairment

„With this charity discussion, devoted to the problems and the opportunities facing children and young people with hearing impairment, we want to draw public attention to the difficulties they face and, together, to 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 Kristian Vigenin, who together with MEP Tsvetelina Penkova organised the charity event, which brought together for a frank conversation all the stakeholders, representatives of the Association of Parents of Children with Hearing Impairment (ARDUS), medical specialists, educational centres, social and non-governmental organisations, and parents of children and young people with hearing impairment.

„Caring for children and young people with hearing impairment is our shared responsibility. Let us not forget that being empathetic and helping people in need are the most important European and Bulgarian values. In the days before Christmas we are trying to help the children and the parents who face the problems of integrating this community every day. Overcoming them requires concrete ideas and initiatives“, he emphasised. Vigenin recalled his part in drafting and adopting 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 it is necessary to improve inclusive education and to have easier and better informed access to modern technologies and therapies. She pointed out that for children and young people with hearing impairment it is categorically necessary to take measures guaranteeing them a dignified and fair life.

„It is our duty to direct public attention to the problems and the solutions. We must bring together the institutions, the NGO sector, business, academia and all the families, so that together we can encourage solidarity and bring more support to this cause“, the MEP added.

The MP from the parliamentary group of the BSP, United Left Petya Tsankova, who has 20 years of teaching experience, shared a personal story from her practice. She stressed the role and the efforts of teachers in including children with hearing problems so that they can unfold their potential and develop social skills. „Only in this way can they secure a quality of life for themselves. Let all of us together, institutions, parents and partners, be the voice of these children and create an environment in which they feel calm and understood!“, she urged.

The chair of the ARDUS association Maria Krasteva thanked them for the support that children and young people with hearing impairment receive with this charity discussion. „Access to new technologies is needed. Children need adequate help and support at school and at university. This exists on paper but not in practice. The system does not work. An adequate legal framework covering all aspects is needed“, Krasteva emphasised.

The director of the Prof. Decho Denev Special School for Pupils with Hearing Impairment Sevdalina Dzhongarska said that concrete solutions are needed, not just talk about problems. „If we help even one more child, we have achieved a great success“, she is convinced of the small steps towards the goal.

The deputy director of the Regional Centre for Support of the Inclusive Education Process in Sofia Nevena Nikolova highlighted another problem: „There are too many children with hearing impairment in the country and too few rehabilitation specialists and other specialists to deal with their problems and give them the care and attention they need.“
Ana Dimcheva, the mother of a child with hearing impairment, shared that a large proportion of parents are forced to look for private options. Thanks to the Yanika centre and the doctors from the Military Medical Academy, Ana’s daughter speaks and hears. „Every parent wants their child to have the chance of a normal and independent life. The lack of access to early diagnosis is a problem, there is almost none“, she pointed out with pain.

In the view of the head of the ENT Clinic at the Tsaritsa Yoanna 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, which is why the right solution is the creation of specialised groups. The next important step is compulsory screening for children of preschool age“, she recommended.

In the view of 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 tour the schools for screening so that hearing deficits in children are detected earlier and the children do not fall behind in their development.

Tanya Dimitrova from the Yanika educational centre pointed out that the efforts of institutions, doctors, teachers and parents must be brought together, not merely as a slogan but in practice. „Together we will propose real solutions. Parents must know that the surgical approach is not the only solution, and that they can also turn to the sign language method“, she noted.
Children and young people with hearing impairment were at the event. Dobrina Petranova, a student at New Bulgarian University, presented her interests, photography, yoga and fitness.
Ventsislav Velev, a pupil in the 12th grade at the National Gymnasium of Ancient Languages and Cultures, with exceptionally 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 studying at present. He finished with the words: „We can all do it!“. Miroslav Manov, a pupil in the 3rd grade, greeted the hall with a favourite poem of his and shared that he loves mathematics and choreography.
Funds were raised at the event and will be provided in support of the parents of children with hearing impairment. The donation will be used for hearing and speech rehabilitation and for buying learning materials and batteries.