Results of UNICEF project «Promoting inclusive communities for children with intellectual disabilities» in E Kazakhstan
Ust-Kamenogorsk. December 6. KAZINFORM - The pilot project "Promoting inclusive communities for children with intellectual disabilities in the East Kazakhstan region" was carried out in the region during the current year. It involved both children with such disabilities and their families.
Implementation of the joint project of UNICEF, international organization "Special Olympics" and East Kazakhstan governorate led to good results, according to Zhanna Zhibraeva, adviser at the UN Joint Programme in East Kazakhstan.
She cited figures, which show that 51 children aged 2-7 with intellectual disabilities took part in events of the "Young Athletes" program. Other programs of the project were "Physical Activity", "Family Forum", "Unified Sport" and "Healthy Athletes". "More than 300 children with intellectual disabilities were screened, we trained 210 volunteers from the Semey State Medical University and Ust-Kamenogorsk Medical College. The "Physical Activity" program brought together 42 children with severe intellectual and physical disabilities".
The "Unified Sport" program gathered 191 athletes at one playground. 64 children acted as partners. A two-day workshop for 49 physical training teachers from secondary and special schools was held to share on experience in organizing training sessions for mixed teams. 500 teaching aids were printed for teachers. Z.Zhibraeva added that 75 families had participated in the program "Family Forum". A dialogue venue was created for a fruitful conversation of parents and specialists from state authorities, who explained opportunities offered by the existing programs to their special children.