The festival, held since 2010 by the All-Russian Society of Disabled People and the United Country Foundation for Supporting People with Disabilities, aims to recognize and promote the most socially, artistically, and technologically significant internet resources dedicated to the integration and socialization of people with disabilities. The project seeks to help overcome information and communication barriers for individuals with disabilities, create a comfortable information environment, and further unlock the creative potential of all participants.
“The 15th festival is not just a milestone anniversary but a reflection of the growing demand for inclusive digital spaces. Interest in our festival remains high, proving that the theme of socialization through technology unites people, building a world without barriers,” said Mikhail Terentyev, Chairman of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People, Coordinator of the United Country – Accessible Environment party project, and State Duma deputy, in his welcoming remarks. “Today, every website, blog, or online initiative is a step toward breaking stereotypes and fostering an environment where the talents of people with disabilities can flourish without limits. We see digital tools transforming into real stories of friendship, career achievements, and creative breakthroughs. I am confident that the participating projects will not only receive support but also serve as benchmarks for new volunteers and organizations committed to making the world a better place,” he added.
This year, 261 submissions from 49 Russian regions and the Republic of Belarus were received. Seventeen websites and social media communities were recognized as winners or awarded special prizes.
The winners were selected through a vote by the Expert Council, which included representatives from public organizations, the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, the Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ, and internet experts. Key evaluation criteria included usefulness for people with disabilities, ease of use, navigation, traffic, structure, update frequency, aesthetic appeal, and mobile compatibility. Social significance, creative content generation, and tolerance toward people with disabilities were also considered.
The 2025 festival winners are:
- “Status: Online” (personal blogs/accounts): Journey in the Dark: Vladimir Vaskevich’s Blog
- “Together We Can Do More” (All-Russian Society of Disabled People resources): Website of the Kaliningrad Regional Branch of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People and the social media page of the Kalinin Regional Branch of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People (Tyumen).
- “Kids Just Like Any Other” (resources on education, rehabilitation, and integration of children with disabilities): the Naked Hearts Online platform and the Active Together community with functional exercise programs for children with cerebral palsy.
- “Equal Opportunities: Sports” (adaptive sports resources): Website of the Spartan adaptive sports school and the Russian adaptive hockey community.
- “Facets of Creativity” (resources on inclusive cultural events and art): Website of the Invisible Cinema project and the Lnushki-toys wooden toy workshop group.
- “InvaOpportunities” (resources on business, employment, and social entrepreneurship): Website of the Master OK Center for Social and Labor Adaptation of People with Disabilities and the PeopleMODA adaptive clothing brand page.
Special prizes from event partners were awarded to: the blog Wheeling Together: Traveling in a Wheelchair, the website of the Lugansk Regional Branch of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People, VKontakte groups of the Krasnoyarsk Soviet District Branch of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People, the Zheleznogorsk Branch of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People, and the Singing Hands sign-language choir.
Representatives of the Coordination Center joined the expert panel for the first time and contributed to the prize fund – each winner received a thematic gift commemorating the 15th anniversary of the .РФ domain, in addition to a diploma and trophy.
“I believe the .РФ domain resonates with the festival’s spirit. Essentially, .РФ is also about inclusivity – providing simplified and convenient access to online resources, such as websites and email, for all Russian-speaking internet users. That’s why we prepared special gifts for each winner in honor of .РФ’s anniversary. We hope you’ll celebrate this milestone with us,” said Viktoria Bunchuk, Head of Social Projects at the Coordination Center, who participated in evaluating submissions and presenting awards in the Kids Just Like Any Other category. “I’m truly glad I took part in assessing the competition entries. It gave me new insights into inclusivity and adaptability, showing how multifaceted this world is – and how creative and resilient the people shaping it are. It’s inspiring!”
Viktoria also noted that the Coordination Center is keeping pace with trends, taking confident steps toward digital inclusivity: “For instance, our interactive project Study the Internet & Govern It! launched a training simulator for visually impaired users a few years ago. It now features 10 educational modules on digital technology, online safety, and internet culture, optimized for screen readers. The simulator has undergone rigorous testing and earned an accessibility certification. We invite you to visit Nezryachim.deti.”
Additionally, a special prize from Study the Internet & Govern It! was awarded to another contestant—the Usharik project. This information resource offers verified knowledge and advice while serving as a “warm and welcoming space for parents raising children with hearing impairments.” The team behind Usharik will receive the Study the Internet board game, helping their community explore internet fundamentals in an analog, interactive format.
