Since the 1990s, with the emergence of non-government organisation for persons with disability, support groups and the passage of disability legislation, significant changes have occurred to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities in Russia. However, government officials on many occasions have publicly acknowledged the problem of continued lack of availability and accessibility of facilities for the disabled as well as the dearth of federal support for the disability community.
Traditionally in Russia, children with special educational needs were educated in special day institutes, boarding schools or by private tutors. In recent years, efforts are being made to use the Internet and involve disabled children in distance learning, but the level of provision for special needs lags behind other advanced countries. Today, employment programmes for disabled people and a handful of integrated educational programmes have been launched in several Russian cities.
Nevertheless, disabled people in Russia continue to face challenges in their daily lives, as well as encounter significant and formidable physical barriers to education, employment, recreational activities, family life and participation in community life.
To address these shortcomings, a call for action has been made for large corporations to play an active role and to put more effort into giving back to the society. To influence and create change where it is needed and to render help and support for vulnerable communities whose stories could be much different. Such assistance could be game changers and change the lives of an entire community, and help build a better future for its children. It is with this in mind that RYTHM Foundation seeks to empower and create opportunities for marginalised and vulnerable children in any way that it can.
The children of Uspenskoye Residential School in the Slobodskoy district of the Kirov region, have embarked on a journey with QNET and RYTHM Foundation as part of efforts to help build a better future for those with special educational needs.
After spending some time with the children at the school, QNET’s Independent Representatives (IRs) in Kirov comprising of compassionate and caring individuals with big dreams, found that the school was in critical need of much needed basic and essential teaching equipment, and a new playground.
With QNET’s support, the school is being provided with a fully-equipped playground, complete with sports and exercise equipment which will benefit 72 pupils and 29 teachers. QNET and RYTHM Foundation hope that with this project, the children of Uspenskoye Residential School will have better access to physical therapy and educational opportunities, which will help raise themselves in confidence and everyday life.
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop”.
(Mother Teresa)
