Mass Media as a Tool for Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities: Thematically Universal and Specialized Editions (on the Example of Deaf-Press)

Abstract

The study examined the role of national press in the process of social inclusion and integration of deaf community. We found that in the light of the problems of social inclusion, it is necessary to address the characteristics of certain groups of people with disabilities, in particular, specific needs of people with hearing impairments. Different life practices of people with hearing disabilities make it important to study this particular segment of population and various communication strategies that facilitate the process of their social integration. Russian academic community does not consider people with hearing disabilities as a separate cultural and sociolinguistic group but as a part of a bigger group of people with different kinds of disabilities. The present study described the differences between the concepts of “socialization”, “adaptation”, “integration" and "inclusion", and also highlighted the importance of studying the process of inclusion. Additionally, the authors described the features of the deaf community and approaches to study this particular segment of population. The article presents statistical, documented and theoretical sources to be used as the basis for empirical research. In order to get the most complete picture of the role of the press in matters of social inclusion, the authors considered both socio-political press and specialized press directly targeting deaf community. Identifying drawbacks of current media coverage the authors explored and showed different ways to improve it. A content analysis of socio-political and specialized publications was implemented, which made it possible to form a basis for the formation of recommendations for domestic media.