The presentation of Russia's first manual on the primary social rehabilitation of people who have lost their sight and hearing, prepared by the charity foundation "House of the Deafblind", took place.
At the presentation, issues of early rehabilitation of veterans of the SVO who lost their eyesight and hearing were discussed. The specialists of the House of the Deafblind shared their experience of helping people with severe injuries in hospitals — at a time when a person especially needs support and understanding of future prospects. Rehabilitation includes not only learning new skills, but also familiarization with modern technology, accessible communication methods, social and legal support measures, and opportunities to return to independent living.
"The House of the Deafblind has summarized and systematized in a methodological manual the experience gained over four years of primary social rehabilitation of veterans of their military who have lost their eyesight and hearing. The foundation's specialists, most of whom have visual or hearing disabilities themselves, communicate with children in hospitals, showing by their own example that the lack of vision and hearing does not prevent them from having a favorite job, family, friends and hobbies. And such communication increases the level of trust and helps to adapt to new living conditions. And the success stories of the rehabilitators of the Houses of the Deaf and Blind resource center presented in the manual confirm this," said Veronika Leontieva, head of the Department of assistance to people with Disabilities at the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service.
At the presentation, participants in rehabilitation programs and the foundation's wards told how, after severe injuries, they were able to rebuild their lives: continue their education, play sports, create families and return to active activities.
According to the experience of the foundation's staff, more than 90% of the participants overcome the main difficulties thanks to early support, systematic support and the work of a team of specialists. The event also discussed the difficulties faced by people after losing their sight and hearing due to military trauma, legal issues of paperwork and receiving government assistance. The participants paid special attention to proposals to improve legislation in the field of support for veterans with disabilities.
The presented manual can be used in the activities of social workers, nurses, psychologists, rehabilitologists and volunteers.
The presentation was attended by specialists who work with veterans of the Russian Armed Forces and have practical experience in accompanying people with severe disabilities: representatives of the Elvira Society for Social Support of the Deafblind, the Fund for Veterans and Invalids of Combat Operations "We do not abandon Our Own", the A.I. Meshcheryakov National Rehabilitation Center, the Synodal Department for Charity, the St. Petersburg Theological academies, as well as medical and social communities.