The primary objective of the Institute is to deliver services in the following areas:
- Conducting fundamental, exploratory, and applied scientific research in Russian Sign Language (RSL), other national sign languages, and related disciplines—in order to identify fundamental patterns underlying the structure and functioning of signed linguistic systems;
- Supporting the training, retraining, and professional development of researchers and interpreters of RSL and other national sign languages;
- Providing services that directly fulfill the Institute’s mission;
- Supporting and comprehensively developing the Electronic Reference and Analytical System: Explanatory Dictionary of Russian Sign Language.
The Institute carries out the following types of activities:
- Conducting fundamental, exploratory, and applied scientific research on RSL and other national sign languages;
- Organizing and implementing fundamental, exploratory, applied, and analytical research, experimental-design work, and project development in the field of RSL and other national sign languages;
- Providing expert consultation, information, and reference services within the scope of the Institute’s activities;
- Organizing and conducting certification and attestation of RSL interpreters, monitoring compliance of personnel providing interpretation services with professional competency and attestation requirements, as well as with position-specific qualifications outlined in the Professional Standard “Interpreter of Russian Sign Language” and GOST R 57636-2024;
- Facilitating professional retraining and continuing education for specialists in RSL and other national sign languages, human sciences and culture, humanities and social sciences, economics, management, entrepreneurship, law, employment, education, health-promoting technologies, and other relevant fields;
- Establishing and regulating a system of honours—including orders, medals, and honorary titles—for RSL interpreters and researchers;
- Translating, publishing, distributing, and disseminating scientific, academic, methodological, and popular-science literature, as well as periodicals—on both printed and digital media;
- Conducting expert assessments in the fields of education, science, culture, arts, economics, management, entrepreneurship, employment, law, and other domains;
- Collaborating with Russian and international scientific and educational institutions to facilitate the exchange of researchers, best practices, expertise, and know-how;
- Organizing and hosting seminars on RSL and other national sign languages, as well as educational and developmental programs aimed at fostering moral-spiritual growth, creative development, and the fulfillment of non-material human needs;
- Participating in international organizations and projects—including international educational and research initiatives, congresses, symposia, conferences, and seminars—either jointly or independently, as well as exchanging academic literature bilaterally or multilaterally;
- Participating—in accordance with established procedures—in programs and initiatives implemented by governmental bodies, local authorities, public and non-governmental organizations concerning the development and implementation of regulatory and legal frameworks relevant to the Institute’s field;
- Engaging with mass media—both domestically and internationally—to raise awareness and disseminate information about the Institute’s activities;
- Promoting the creation and maintenance of online information resources that cover and support the Institute’s mission and work.