The MAUP Institute in Khmelnytskyi hosted a scientific and practical seminar with training elements entitled “Ukrainian sign language as one of the main means of communication for sign language users”
On September 25, 2024, the MAUP Institute in Khmelnytskyi hosted a scientific and practical seminar with training elements entitled “Ukrainian Sign Language as One of the Main Means of Communication for Sign Language Users” for first-year bachelor's and master's degree students studying psychology full-time.
Sign language is one of the most important means of communication for people with hearing impairments, as it allows them to fully interact with society. Learning this language is an important part of psychologists' training, as it helps them to better understand and communicate with sign language clients, providing effective psychological support.
Ukrainian sign language has its own unique grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, which distinguishes it from ordinary spoken language. It is not just a set of gestures for conveying words, but a full-fledged language with its own rules for constructing sentences and expressing emotions. For psychologists who work with sign language users, knowing this language is not only a professional advantage but also a necessity for building trusting and deep relationships with clients.
Sign language also provides access to understanding the cultural aspects of the hearing-impaired community, helps eliminate barriers that arise in the process of interaction, and promotes an inclusive environment where everyone can feel understood and accepted.
The aim of the seminar was to familiarize future psychologists with the basics of Ukrainian sign language and its importance in communicating with people with hearing impairments.
The speakers were: Natalia Nikolenko, Chair of the Khmelnytsky Regional Organization of the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf; Alla Melnychuk, psychologist at Khmelnytsky Special General Education School No. 33; Maria Yaremchuk, lecturer at the Department of Psychology of the Khmelnytsky Institute of the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management; beneficiary of the Khmelnytsky Regional Organization of the Ukrainian Society of the Deaf. They shared their many years of experience working with sign language users, spoke in detail about the importance of sign language in the daily lives of people with hearing impairments, and demonstrated basic communication techniques.
The professionals emphasized that sign language is not universal in all countries, as each country has its own national sign language. The speakers also talked about the peculiarities of Ukrainian sign language, its development, and adaptation to the modern needs of society.
Thanks to the professional experience of the speakers, students had the opportunity not only to gain theoretical knowledge, but also to see how those who are highly proficient in sign language work in practice.
Students enthusiastically studied the exercises in the master class that accompanied the scientific and practical seminar. During the practical part of the event, they had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the process of learning Ukrainian sign language and try their hand at communicating with gestures. The speakers conducted a series of exercises aimed at mastering basic gestures that help in communicating with people with hearing impairments.
The students actively participated in the training, carefully repeating the movements of professional interpreters and specialists, which helped them to learn the new material more quickly. Performing these exercises allowed them to better understand the structure of sign language and experience it in practice.
During the seminar, participants learned about the basic principles of sign language, its structure and characteristics, as well as the importance of sign language communication for ensuring the social integration of people with hearing impairments. The seminar also included practical exercises and training, during which students had the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practice by communicating with gestures and mastering basic communication skills.
The event contributed not only to the theoretical assimilation of the material, but also to the practical development of skills necessary for future psychologists in working with sign language clients. The seminar not only provided students with basic knowledge of Ukrainian sign language, but also allowed them to apply this knowledge in practice through training exercises. This contributed to the development of professional competencies and a better understanding of the needs of sign language users, which is important for providing them with psychological assistance and support.
We would like to thank Natalia Nikolenko, Alla Melnychuk, and Maria Yaremchuk for their cooperation!
