Moscow Integrating Disabled

From Russia Today:
"Disabled students given chance to study in Moscow schools"

Millions of Russian students are returning to school after a three-month-long summer holiday, getting back down to work with mixed feelings of enthusiasm and trepidation.

This year officials in Moscow are piloting a scheme aimed at integrating disabled students into mainstream schools. Some schools have already been integrating disabled pupils for a number of years. Now Moscow is officially starting such integration based on the decision of Moscow’s State Duma. A bill has been passed that says there could be up to three disabled students in a classroom, but this number cannot exceed 10% of the overall student body.It is difficult for people living with disabilities to get around on the streets, more so for them to integrate into society because of the stigma attached with being disabled. However, this new program is meant to tackle that at an early age. Students do not describe their classmates as disabled or not disabled – they all are just regular students. They are not allowed to use those terms in a classroom. The program is aimed at changing the attitudes towards disabled students; to treat them with tolerance, respect and acceptance. It also gives the body of students living with disabilities the chance to experience something that all kids want to be a part of: going to a regular classroom, making friends, and playing. As a first year pupil, Gosha Bychkov said, “I really want to go to school and I'm happy I can study now, because so many schools refused to take me before, just because I can't walk.” His mother told RT that “Of course I'm worried about him, but I want him to be more social, to be independent and to get a real profession in the future.” Unfortunately it is not possible to introduce all disabled students to start integrated lessons in ordinary schools this year. Nevertheless, up to 200 Moscow schools welcomed such students today. Many of them are coming to Moscow from quite far away for an opportunity to have this kind of educational experience. By next year all schools will be obliged to be ready with special desks to have more integrated classrooms.

^ I think this is such a great idea. Russia is one of the worst countries I have been to with regards to how they treat their disabled. They have not heard of the phrase: disabled accessible. Ordinary people's attitudes towards the disabled are also one of the worse I have ever seen. When I lived in Russia I visited a "children's home for the disabled." It was very run-down and neglected. The director of the school said she did her best to educate people - especially the children's parents - that the disabled can lead a regular life, but not many would listen.

My teacher (who was in her 60s-70s) and who took me there didn't even know it existed and then when I told her about it she didn't want to visit it. The Russians I spoke to (not at the school, but in general) seem to think that being disabled is against nature and that if a "normal" person associates with a disables person they (the "normal" one) can catch the disability.

I hope that this new program in Moscow will help teach a new generation of Russians the truth about the disabled and bring about more freedom and acceptance. ^

http://rt.com/Top_News/2010-09-01/disabled-students-moscow-schools.html?fullstory