Education without barriers: how Opishne creates conditions for inclusive education

Inclusive education is not just about lessons and programs. It is about a system in which every child feels valued and has the opportunity to develop their talents in collaboration with other students and teachers. It is also about creating a school environment where all students, regardless of their educational needs, have equal opportunities for development.

This was emphasized by Iryna Kalinichenko, national consultant on inclusiveness, head of the Department of Pedagogical Excellence and Inclusive Education at the Poltava Academy of Continuing Education named after M.V. Ostrohradskyi, during meetings held in the Opishnya territorial community. The events were held as part of the advocacy campaign «Communities for All: Creating Change Together with People with Disabilities!»

According to the expert, the main thing for a child is to be happy. That is why it is important that learning is interesting and comfortable for everyone, and that educational barriers gradually disappear.

Inclusive education is the path to a society of equal opportunities. It gives children with different educational needs a chance to learn alongside their peers, develop social skills, and feel supported and trusted. For other students, inclusion is an opportunity to learn compassion, acceptance, and mutual respect from an early age.

The key benefits of inclusive education include an individualized approach to the development of each child, the creation of an environment of equal opportunities where there is no discrimination, increased confidence in children who feel supported by teachers and staff, increased cooperation between schools, communities, parents and authorities, and the fostering of tolerance in the whole society.

The participants of the events «Education without Barriers: Support for Children with Special Educational Needs» and «Support for Children with Special Educational Needs in Educational Institutions» were looking for answers to important questions about how to make learning accessible and attractive for children who need additional support during their studies, what tools help to find an individual approach to each child, and what real steps the community can take to overcome educational barriers.
Parents, teachers, representatives of local authorities, medical and social spheres discussed practical solutions that can be implemented right now. Educators shared their experience and received tips to help make the educational process child-friendly.

Thanks to the openness and active cooperation of the participants, specific proposals were formulated: creating barrier-free educational spaces, opening new classes for children who need additional support during their studies. 

The events were held within the framework of the project «Multi-sectoral Humanitarian Assistance with Disability Consideration for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Repatriates, Veterans and Host Communities in Ukraine», implemented by the All-Ukrainian Public Association «National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine« (NAPDU) in partnership with the European Disability Forum (EDF). The project is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany (GFFO) and the Christian Mission for the Blind (CMF).

Oleksandra Perkova, Communications Manager of the Project