On November 1, a round table titled "New Opportunities for Professional Fulfillment of Deaf People in the Modern Sports Industry" was held, attended by Dmitry Rebrov, President of the All-Russian Sports Federation of Sports of the Deaf (OSFSG).

Relevant topics were discussed: sport as a tool for integration, professional fulfillment through physical activity, and the demand for labor resources in the sports sector. Issues related to addressing challenges in the vocational training process and the employment of participants of the Special Military Operation (SVO) in the sports industry were also raised.

The meeting was moderated by Natalia Krel, Director of the public association "Union of All-Russian and Leading Organizations of People with Disabilities 'AbiArt'".

The event was also attended by First Vice-President of the OSFSG Vyacheslav Ershov, Director of the Khabarovsk Krai State Budgetary Institution of Additional Education "Khabarovsk Krai Sports Adaptive School of Paralympic and Deaflympic Reserve" Amina Kataeva, Chairman of the Belgorod Regional Public Organization "Deaf Sports Federation" Yuri Shashnin, and President of the International Massage, Aesthetics and Rehabilitation Specialists Association (MASMER) Vladislav Melnik.

Senior coaches of the Russian national sports teams for deaf sports also participated in the round table: Vasily Kovalchuk (volleyball), Larisa Manuilova (beach volleyball), and Evgeny Tavirikov (curling).

In his speech, Dmitry Rebrov noted:

“Bringing deaf people with disabilities out of social isolation through sports is a complex task, solved by creating special events, developing professional personnel, forming a supportive infrastructure, and ensuring a regulatory framework for inclusive development”.

The President of the OSFSG paid special attention to the fundamental role of Russian Sign Language (RSL) interpreters in this process. They not only ensure communication but also contribute to the social integration and professional fulfillment of deaf people, especially in the context of physical activity and sports. Their function goes far beyond simply translating words.

The results of the round table will be summarized in a resolution of the "Abilympics" business program for subsequent submission to the Government of the Russian Federation.

Text: Olga Troinikova

Photo: Mikhail Starostin, Vera Mikhailova

Translation: Daria Kudelina