Uzbekistan has officially launched its inaugural online platform (www.s-access.uz) dedicated to enhancing anti-corruption awareness among individuals with hearing impairments. This innovative platform offers critical legal information in sign language, aids users in identifying corruption in everyday scenarios, and fosters the development of skills necessary for evaluating the reliability of information.
The initiative has been established by the Bukhara Regional Branch of the Society of the Deaf of Uzbekistan as part of the Low-Value Grants programme, which operates under the joint project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) entitled “Strengthening the National Anti-Corruption Ecosystem in Uzbekistan.” This project receives funding from the European Union (EU).
The website aims to empower individuals with hearing impairments to gain a deeper understanding of legal matters associated with corruption and to apply this knowledge in their daily lives effectively. It features 48 key anti-corruption terms translated into sign language, educational video lessons on citizens’ rights and legal protection mechanisms, resources for assessing the reliability of information and mitigating misinformation, as well as interactive videos based on real-life situations.
“We work with people with hearing and speech impairments. Many came to us with tears in their eyes because they had been deceived in different areas, for example, they were asked for money but promises were not kept. They didn’t know their rights, and that’s exactly why we decided to create this website: so they can see examples of corruption and learn how to protect themselves. Since the platform was launched, we’ve seen fewer people coming to us with such problems,” said Ruziya Rasulova, Director of the Bukhara Regional Branch of the Society of the Deaf of Uzbekistan.
“I used to see the word ‘corruption’ often, but I didn’t quite understand what it meant. Then I experienced it myself when I was enrolling my older daughter in kindergarten; I paid money so she would be accepted. After watching the content on the website, I found out that I didn’t need to pay anything at all. Now I understand what corruption looks like in everyday life, and I tell everyone: know your rights and stand up for them,” added Firuza Badruddinova, a representative of the regional society of the deaf.
As part of the initiative, four discussion sessions were held with approximately 100 members of the deaf community in the Bukhara region. Participants explored how to recognise corruption in everyday situations and discussed legal tools to protect their rights, thereby enhancing legal awareness and understanding of inclusive approaches to combating corruption.
