Turn barriers into opportunities
How your support helped Ulyana with cerebral palsy continue studying at school
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"Six months ago, I faced a problem: Ulyana needed to switch to homeschooling, and I needed to quit my job and stay with my daughter," says Elena, mother of Ulyana (15) who has cerebral palsy and severe visual impairment.
Ulyana studies in the 7th grade in an integrated class at a general education school. Until recently, the girl couldn't sit on a chair that wasn't adapted for her needs – she was simply slipping off it. She couldn't see the educational materials without an enlarger or a TV. Thanks to the donations from the Move4Good project organized by UNICEF Belarus, Ulyana will continue her studies at school in the 8th grade. We will tell you more about the special equipment that helped the girl stay at school and why it is so important to study with other children, and not at home.
Study together
"Ulyana is looking forward to the lessons. She knows the timetable by heart. Sometimes I forget and ask her: 'Ulyana, what lesson do we have now?' She responds right away," says Inna, a special needs teacher, as we look around the classroom at school No.1 in Berezovka, where the classes take place.
Ulyana is at a school summer camp now, but during the school year she would have a lesson in the Russian language, literature and computer literacy (a lighter version of computer science) this day. These lessons are individual and conducted by a speech pathologist. Children with special needs have a combined program in integrated classes. Children are given more time to master the material: in elementary school there are 5 classes, in secondary school – 4. That's why Ulyana has been studying for 8 years, but she is in the 7th grade now.
"Ulyana has a very good memory," continues Inna. "But visual impairment makes it more difficult to work. If it was possible to compensate for it, her achievements would be much higher (Ulyana has optic nerve atrophy, which, unfortunately, is not treated and is poorly corrected – ed.). She has a quite high level of intellectual development, but visual impairments interfere with her studies. Her marks are 6, 7, 8."
Ulyana is shy because of all the attention, but she talks about the lessons with pleasure. "Biology is my favorite," says the girl, prolonging some vowels and smiling. She is especially looking forward to the lessons with the other children.
"They have a small class of 8 people. But they are quite united," says Inna. Ulyana's mother nods approvingly: "She likes the class and the kids. She even shares with me which boys she likes. She is in that age now."
Ulyana learns a lot from the children – that's why it is so important for children with disabilities to study at school together with their peers and not stay at home.
"I can go to a cinema or a shop together with Ulyana," says Elena. "Children who study at home can't do it, even when they have a milder diagnosis. It is unusual for them, they are afraid of people and the society. It is very difficult. Such children are stressed even when a person walks by or someone shouts something nearby. School means socialization, communication, and friends. I can't remember a single day when I had to wake Ulyana up and force her to go to school. If it had happened at least once, we would not continue going to school."
Besides, such an educational model is beneficial for everyone: early studies in the 2000s showed that children without disabilities who study in inclusive classes are more successful in learning and communicating with peers, they are less anxious, it is easier for them to establish close relationships.
Lonely lessons
We started talking about homeschooling and Elena became gloomy. Six months ago, the question of leaving school was seriously discussed. The chair and the desk at school did not suit the girl. The desk was not adjustable and the girl couldn't have the textbook at eye level. And the chair did not hold Ulyana properly – she was slipping off it. Ulyana couldn't see the educational materials because of her poor eyesight. The text needed to be printed in large letters. But when enlarged, the pictures lost quality and were unrecognizable.
Besides, Ulyana and her mother live on the 5th floor without an elevator. To go all the way down every day is a trial. The house management hasn't installed a device for automatic descent on a wheelchair, despite numerous requests from Ulyana's mother.
The school organized a barrier-free environment as well as they could. There is a ramp and handrails at the entrance, Ulyana's classes are held on the ground floor. Every morning Ulyana is met by an attendant – Zhanna Stanislavovna, who helps Ulyana move around the school. The girl's mother says that Ulyana loves her like a close relative. But there was not enough funding for assistive equipment. It is rarely possible to create a working inclusion model only at the expense of budgetary funds.
"After another fall, I realized that my child was afraid to fall even at home," says Elena. "She was squeezing the chair arms until her hands were red. I even had to feed her because she refused to let go of the chair."
"Yes," Inna confirms, "during lessons she was also afraid to fall and thus was distracted a lot. She didn't feel safe."
What is the problem?
In Belarus, about 186,000 children have a disability or psychophysical developmental disorders. Every tenth such child does not go to school. The reason is both physical barriers (only one school out of ten provides a barrier-free environment) and the society's attitude towards children with disabilities. Our task as adults is to create learning conditions for all children.
So, for example, Petya from Ulyana's parallel class has poor eyesight – myopia. He needs glasses to read. This is his special need. Olya studies with him. Olya writes better with her left hand. She needs to be taught how to properly position her hand for writing. This is her special need.
Uliana has cerebral palsy, scoliosis, hip dysplasia and serious eyesight problems. She needs special equipment – a comfortable spacious desk, an adjustable chair with fixation and a magnifier or TV to see the materials. This is her special need.
All children have the right to education. And all children need to be helped so that they use this right and unleash their full potential.
To help children with special needs to study in general education schools together with other children, UNICEF Belarus is promoting the idea of inclusion. The office buys assistive equipment – devices that help children with disabilities to study at school.
In 2021, using funds raised as part of the Move4Good sports charity project, we helped Ulyana: we bought equipment for the school so that she could continue her education. A specialized chair and a desk were purchased for the girl – now her position is fixed (Ulyana no longer slips off), and educational materials can be placed at eye level. And a large TV with a computer processor – now Ulyana can see bright photos and videos.
"We were relieved – Ulyana was going to the 8th grade!" Elena says with a tired smile. "You have no idea what it means to us. Thank you so much for helping us. The child's eyes light up again as she wakes up and gets ready for school. It's worth much!"
How you can help
To support other children like Ulyana, you can take part in the Move4Good inclusive sports project and make a donation.
The Move4Good charity project will begin in July with some online activities – there will be training sessions for adults and children, including famous athletes and popular bloggers. And it will end with the Children's Run at Minsk Half Marathon on September 11.
The goal of the project is to draw attention to the problems associated with inclusive education and raise funds for assistive technologies – special equipment that allows children with disabilities to study at school.
You can find all the details here. Any help you can provide will allow more children with disabilities to go to school.
