Disability is not a sentence: five successful examples of inclusion
In Ukraine, the number of people with disabilities is now about 6% of the total population, which is about 2.6 million. According to data for 2017, there were 240 thousand people with disabilities of the 1st group, 900 thousand people with disabilities of the 2nd group and more than 1.3 million people with disabilities of the 3rd group. But there were more than 156 thousand children with disabilities. However, the relevant organizations note that the number of people with disabilities in the country is much higher than official data.
Unfortunately, Ukrainian infrastructure and society are not particularly adapted for people with disabilities, and people with disabilities themselves are very often discriminated against and suffer from the fact that their rights are violated everywhere. However, there are good examples of inclusiveness in Ukraine. We have collected the brightest events, drastic changes and unusual stories that prove that we are developing in the right direction, and people with disabilities are becoming more and more opportunities.
The first model school for people with disabilities
In July 2019, the first model school in Ukraine for people with disabilities was opened in Kharkiv. It is here that professional models with disabilities will be trained to participate in shows and photo shoots. Already at the end of July, the first 28 participants began their training.
At this school, they will be taught fashion shows, photo posing, make-up, stylistics, stage movements, plastic arts, acting, self-presentation and even nutrition. This is the first school in Ukraine that will train professional models with disabilities to participate in shows, photo shoots, advertising and clothing design.
Classes of the first group will last until the end of October. The organizers assure that after graduation, graduates will be able to participate in fashion shows and become professional models.
In addition, this innovation has given people with disabilities the opportunity to do what they like, without being limited by certain frameworks and prohibitions. The founders of the school and public figures are convinced that inclusive fashion will be a great way to socialize and integrate people with disabilities, so we can only hope that in time such institutions will become more.
Children with hearing impairments will show the play
"Grow Healthy" NGO implements the project Inclusive Theater "Hear the World!" - for children with and without hearing disabilities. The theater invites everyone to its first performance in which children with hearing impairments will take part. The first performance of "Weird Witchcraft" took place at the Kyiv Theater for Young Spectators on August 20.
In order to create this play, children from different parts of Ukraine gathered in a children’s camp and thought through the smallest details. Many of the participants in this inclusive play have partial hearing impairments. It is planned that the performance will have further life in a series of performances throughout Ukraine.
Now more and more Ukrainian cities are dealing with the problems of children and adults with disabilities. Special clubs are created, trainings, sports competitions and various cultural events are held, which help people with disabilities not to feel detached from life.
"Hear"
Another social project that deserves attention is " Hear " . This is a project where art finds new forms and ways of interaction. Well-known writerspoetry is told in the Estonian language . The authors of the project create theatrical performances, literary evenings, book events, music concerts, school lessons, because cultural and social life can and should be accessible to everyone. At various levels - from museums and cinemas to hospitals, classrooms and government agencies. Now the project travels throughout Ukraine, organizing literary evenings and concerts.
Dubbing the Music Festival for the Hearing Impaired Unfortunately
, Ukraine does not often boast of excellence in some positive achievements, especially if it is inclusive.However, this year we became the first country in Europe to implement an inclusive project inviting people with hearing impairments to the large-scale Atlas Weekend music festival.
Yes, people with hearing impairments were able to come to the festival and enjoy its atmosphere. A separate zone was created for them, where the vibration of musical instruments was amplified by special devices. In addition, experts from the United States were invited to help reproduce musical compositions with gestures. Thanks to sign language, translators were able to convey not only words but also music and sounds.
A large screen was set up near the main stage, broadcasting a sign language translation of what the musicians were singing. It was a specially designed adaptation, where gestures conveyed musical instruments and song content, and rhythm was conveyed through the movements of the translator.
Restaurant where people with Down syndrome
will work In Kyiv, it is planned to open a restaurant where people with Down syndrome will work, in particular, among them will be pupils of Darnytskyi and Sviatoshynskyi boarding schools. The design of the restaurant has already been developed, and they want to hang reproductions of "The Last Supper", "Birth of Venus", "Mona Lisa" and other famous paintings on the walls.
Now the founders of the restaurant are raising money for its construction, which they plan to begin this fall. The profits of the restaurant will be sent to various charitable projects.
A guy with Down syndrome with a higher education
Not all people with disabilities can get an education and get a job. Many lack support, opportunities or resources. And besides, the Ukrainian education system is just beginning to be rebuilt for inclusive needs. However, there are already people whose strength of will and perseverance we can be proud of. Thus, a resident of Lutsk, 24-year-old Bohdan Kravchuk, became the first person with Down syndrome to get a higher education in Ukraine. This year, Bogdan received a bachelor’s degree in history, despite the fact that he and his family had to fight for the opportunity to get into college.
After Bohdan received his diploma, he was invited to work as a guide at the Museum of the History of Education in Volyn, which is located at the Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education.
“First of all, I will help and make presentations. What tasks will be given - that’s what I’ll do. I get worried when I go to work. But, nothing, everything will be fine ", -commented Bogdan Kravchuk .
The institute is confident that the guy will cope with the work and will not sit idly by, and Bogdan himself is optimistic.
Such stories prove once again that one should not give up even when one has to deal with serious difficulties in one’s life. After all, if you go in the direction of your goal - then everything will work out.
Author Anastasia Ishchenko
Photo : objectiv.tv, Ukrinform , hromadske.ua, Big Hug
Read also: Be honest and do not hide your emotions: tips for volunteers who go to the orphanage The
Unfortunately, Ukrainian infrastructure and society are not particularly adapted for people with disabilities, and people with disabilities themselves are very often discriminated against and suffer from the fact that their rights are violated everywhere. However, there are good examples of inclusiveness in Ukraine. We have collected the brightest events, drastic changes and unusual stories that prove that we are developing in the right direction, and people with disabilities are becoming more and more opportunities.
The first model school for people with disabilities
In July 2019, the first model school in Ukraine for people with disabilities was opened in Kharkiv. It is here that professional models with disabilities will be trained to participate in shows and photo shoots. Already at the end of July, the first 28 participants began their training.
At this school, they will be taught fashion shows, photo posing, make-up, stylistics, stage movements, plastic arts, acting, self-presentation and even nutrition. This is the first school in Ukraine that will train professional models with disabilities to participate in shows, photo shoots, advertising and clothing design. Classes of the first group will last until the end of October. The organizers assure that after graduation, graduates will be able to participate in fashion shows and become professional models.
In addition, this innovation has given people with disabilities the opportunity to do what they like, without being limited by certain frameworks and prohibitions. The founders of the school and public figures are convinced that inclusive fashion will be a great way to socialize and integrate people with disabilities, so we can only hope that in time such institutions will become more.
Children with hearing impairments will show the play
"Grow Healthy" NGO implements the project Inclusive Theater "Hear the World!" - for children with and without hearing disabilities. The theater invites everyone to its first performance in which children with hearing impairments will take part. The first performance of "Weird Witchcraft" took place at the Kyiv Theater for Young Spectators on August 20.
In order to create this play, children from different parts of Ukraine gathered in a children’s camp and thought through the smallest details. Many of the participants in this inclusive play have partial hearing impairments. It is planned that the performance will have further life in a series of performances throughout Ukraine.
Now more and more Ukrainian cities are dealing with the problems of children and adults with disabilities. Special clubs are created, trainings, sports competitions and various cultural events are held, which help people with disabilities not to feel detached from life.
"Hear"
Another social project that deserves attention is " Hear " . This is a project where art finds new forms and ways of interaction. Well-known writerspoetry is told in the Estonian language . The authors of the project create theatrical performances, literary evenings, book events, music concerts, school lessons, because cultural and social life can and should be accessible to everyone. At various levels - from museums and cinemas to hospitals, classrooms and government agencies. Now the project travels throughout Ukraine, organizing literary evenings and concerts. Dubbing the Music Festival for the Hearing Impaired Unfortunately
, Ukraine does not often boast of excellence in some positive achievements, especially if it is inclusive.However, this year we became the first country in Europe to implement an inclusive project inviting people with hearing impairments to the large-scale Atlas Weekend music festival.
Yes, people with hearing impairments were able to come to the festival and enjoy its atmosphere. A separate zone was created for them, where the vibration of musical instruments was amplified by special devices. In addition, experts from the United States were invited to help reproduce musical compositions with gestures. Thanks to sign language, translators were able to convey not only words but also music and sounds. A large screen was set up near the main stage, broadcasting a sign language translation of what the musicians were singing. It was a specially designed adaptation, where gestures conveyed musical instruments and song content, and rhythm was conveyed through the movements of the translator.
Restaurant where people with Down syndrome
will work In Kyiv, it is planned to open a restaurant where people with Down syndrome will work, in particular, among them will be pupils of Darnytskyi and Sviatoshynskyi boarding schools. The design of the restaurant has already been developed, and they want to hang reproductions of "The Last Supper", "Birth of Venus", "Mona Lisa" and other famous paintings on the walls. Now the founders of the restaurant are raising money for its construction, which they plan to begin this fall. The profits of the restaurant will be sent to various charitable projects.
A guy with Down syndrome with a higher education
Not all people with disabilities can get an education and get a job. Many lack support, opportunities or resources. And besides, the Ukrainian education system is just beginning to be rebuilt for inclusive needs. However, there are already people whose strength of will and perseverance we can be proud of. Thus, a resident of Lutsk, 24-year-old Bohdan Kravchuk, became the first person with Down syndrome to get a higher education in Ukraine. This year, Bogdan received a bachelor’s degree in history, despite the fact that he and his family had to fight for the opportunity to get into college.
After Bohdan received his diploma, he was invited to work as a guide at the Museum of the History of Education in Volyn, which is located at the Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education.
“First of all, I will help and make presentations. What tasks will be given - that’s what I’ll do. I get worried when I go to work. But, nothing, everything will be fine ", -commented Bogdan Kravchuk .
The institute is confident that the guy will cope with the work and will not sit idly by, and Bogdan himself is optimistic.
Such stories prove once again that one should not give up even when one has to deal with serious difficulties in one’s life. After all, if you go in the direction of your goal - then everything will work out.
Author Anastasia Ishchenko
Photo : objectiv.tv, Ukrinform , hromadske.ua, Big Hug
Read also: Be honest and do not hide your emotions: tips for volunteers who go to the orphanage The