Information about COVID-19 reaches people with disabilities

The Paraguayan government launched a communication service with the aim of being able to offer full and accessible information about COVID-19 to people with disabilities. 

The rapid implementation of this service was possible thanks to the contribution of the project financed by the European Union Bridging the Gap and there were two essential actions in this regard. On the one hand, the broadcasting centre was strengthened, a telephone communication service that enables the deaf to be in contact with hearing people, entities or services that they may need. Furthermore, it contributed to the purchase of equipment and software in 2019 for the communication department of the National Secretariat for Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SENADIS). 

Thanks to these contributions by Bridging the Gap, managed by the FIIAPP, and the existing cooperation agreement between SENADIS and the Technical Planning Secretariat (STP) for adapting information to accessible formats, disabled Paraguayan citizens can receive accessible and updated information on the current situation of COVID-19. 

Daily accessible video summaries are produced to reach all people with disabilities. These videos include sign language for the deaf, subtitles for people who are hard of hearing, audio for people with visual disabilities and simplified language for people with intellectual disabilities. 

The video capsules, disseminated through the SENADIS Facebook page, inform not only on how to prevent COVID-19, how to act in the event of contagion or the progression of the disease in the country, but also on all the measures taken by the government in this emergency situation.