An inclusive forum "A World Accessible to All" was held in St. Petersburg as part of the International Beauty and Talent Contest for girls and women in wheelchairs "Nevskaya Krasa".
The University of Industrial Technologies and Design was represented at the forum by the students-participants of the championship movement on professional skills "Abilimpics" and the director of the scientific and methodological resource center for inclusive and dual education of Ƶ Irina Yanyk. Members of the delegation shared their experience of socialization of university students with disabilities and disabilities in the competitive movement.
Irina Yanyk on the participation of students of the University of Industrial Technologies and Design with disabilities in professional skills competitions such as "Abilimpix" and "Professional Tomorrow":
"When a student with special needs decides to show his talents in competitive tasks, we start a big complex work, and not only with the student himself, but also with his environment. Very serious work is carried out with university teachers. We regularly send them to improve their qualifications in the field of teaching and communication with students with disabilities. In addition, we need a special platform for the training of contest participants. For example, the library of Ƶ has special publications for students with visual impairments, which we use. The support of family members is important, and sometimes their help, for example, in accompanying the student to the competition, especially if it is held in another city. The preparation of the family is also handled by us."
Olesya Stepanova and Ilya Nazaryan, students of the Institute of Applied Art of Ƶ, also shared their experience of participation in professional competitions at the forum. Last year they successfully represented the university at the regional stage of the Abilimpix championship.
"It is very important for students with disabilities to get out of their cocoon, leave home, communicate and develop as professionals. And participation in such competitions gives them the opportunity not only to show themselves, but also to hone their skills and even acquire new ones. This is very useful for their further adaptation in adult life," Iryna Yanyk added.