Suspilne presented its DEI Concept, approaches to sign language, and content for national minorities at the annual EBU Access Services Community DEI conference in Bonn, hosted at Deutsche Welle. The event brought together over 100 media professionals from 31 countries to discuss accessibility, inclusion, diversity, and audience services.
Anastasiia Hudima, Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities Department at Suspilne, opened the morning session, highlighting Suspilne’s experience in ensuring content accessibility during wartime. Her presentation focused on:
- implementing the DEI Concept in content production and team practices;
- working with national minorities;
- subtitling and sign language interpretation during crises;
- sign language translation of Eurovision songs;
- developing accessibility services as a core responsibility of a public broadcaster.
The Ukrainian case drew significant interest, especially from Northern European participants. Despite ongoing attacks, power outages, and crisis conditions, Suspilne maintains a systematic focus on accessibility and inclusion.
“Inclusion is not charity. It is our duty as a public broadcaster. Subtitles, sign language, and content for national minorities are not optional — they allow people to access information, understand, act, and participate in society,” emphasized Anastasiia Hudima.
During the two-day conference, participants discussed: AI in subtitling and localization, lessons from sign language avatars, accessibility for major events such as Eurovision 2025, balancing subtitles and sign language, and advocacy for inclusive practices by public broadcasters.
Suspilne also shared its results from the 2025 Access Services Community Survey, marking the first time it participated alongside 41 other public media organizations.
Earlier this year, Suspilne publicly released its DEI Concept approved by the Supervisory Board, defining strategic approaches to equality, accessibility, and respect for diversity within the organization and in its content.
