Moscow opens cutting-edge educational center for the deaf and blind

A new center in Moscow established by the So-edinenie (Connection) Fund, which is Russia's leader in assistance to people with visual and hearing disabilities, will educate deaf and blind children and also develop new rehabilitation technologies and gadgets.

In the 1970s, Russian scientists developed unique methods to teach children with visual and hearing limitations, and as a result four deaf-blind children from the Zagorsk orphange went to the country's best universities. Until recently, however, it was difficult for people with visual and hearing disabilities to receive comprehensive assistance.

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The 1,800-square meter center in Moscow is equipped with modern medical equipment for improving vision and hearing, and also offers computer classes and creative workshops. The center’s main feature is a science lab.

"Our center will provide facilities for projects aimed at developing new integration and communication technology for the deaf and blind," said Pavel Osipov, head of Soedinenie's program for enabling technologies. "For example, we are developing communication gloves and sensor devices for the deaf and blind that will facilitate their interaction with the world."

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