Live sign language service at KEP - For the first time in our country

MUNICIPALITIES: 134 PRACTICES
Chalandri is an urban area and municipality of the Northern Sector of Athens of the Attica Region, with 77,102 inhabitants in 2021 and an area of 10,805 square kilometers. In ancient times it was the seat of the Municipality of Flya, the birthplace of Euripides. It was inhabited by Asians Minor after the Asia Minor Catastrophe in 1922.
The Municipality stands out for its even plan and extensive network of pedestrian and cycle paths. It is located at an altitude ranging between 185-230 meters and is accessible from major highways such as Attiki Odos, Kifissias and Mesogeion. It is served, among others, by the Metro and Suburban stations, Chalandri, Plakentias and Nimismatokopio.
Important monuments are the Asia Minor Fountain of Helios in memory of the homonymous fountain in Asia Minor, the church of Panagia Marmariotissa and the Asia Minor Xerizomos Monument.
The goal of the initiative is to make invisible people visible, as characteristically mentioned by the mayor of Chalandrio, Simos Roussos. To be able to serve the part of our deaf and hard of hearing fellow citizens who until now have been excluded from access to public services. Improving communication with these people is the key to a new social reality universally accessible to all.
See related video and photos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEFS57rQX7g
https://www.chalandri.gr/dhmotarxh/category16/category46/78721/
Deaf and hard of hearing
Ongoing
The initiative was launched after a proposal by the deputy mayor Haris Mavroudis, while it is included in the administration's general policy for the inclusion of people with disabilities. After special training from the federation of the deaf, which lasted for 2 years, four employees of KEP got their sign language diplomas.
The effect on the people served was particularly positive and those who were served once came back again and again.
Central KEP of Chalandrio Grigoriou Gyftopoulos 2
KEP Metro (Chalandri Metro)
The Federation of the Deaf trained four employees of KEP Chalandrio in sign language for 2 years. The accredited employees, after receiving their degrees from the Federation, started the rescue service for the deaf with great joy, as they themselves pointed out, it is particularly important to be able to offer their services to all citizens.
Four employees of the Municipality of Chalandrio were trained - Sofia Kollia - Argyris Kapnisakis - Dora Spanou and Maria Stamoula who described the experience they gained from learning sign language as very important but also moving.
The specific action is considered an act of high symbolism and value as it removes the social inequalities for people with disabilities that arise due to the lack of infrastructure and lays the foundations for a different self-government with a human face.