An innovative project «From an inclusive school to an inclusive city» is being implemented in Novopolotsk

Inclusion implies the real inclusion of people with disabilities in various spheres of public life. This new perspective on the place of the individual in society is associated with the process of humanizing human relations, and our country is moving in line with modern transformations. The concept has been approved at the state level and a plan of relevant measures has been developed. By 2020, it is planned to cover about 80% of children with psychophysical development features with inclusive forms of education.

International experience is being disseminated, taking into account the specifics of each region. It is significant that Novopolotsk was at the forefront of the movement to implement the principles of sustainable development; it was the first in Belarus to join the global UNICEF initiative and became the holder of the honorary title "City Friendly to Children".

The project is designed for three years, its funding volume is 514 thousand euros, of which 82% of the funds will be provided by the European Union and 18% by the city executive committee. Partners include the Belarusian Transport Workers' Union and the Belarusian Society of Disabled Persons.

– Our main goal is to change society's attitude towards people with disabilities, to create equal opportunities for them in education and the development of their abilities. At the same time, it is important not only to create a barrier-free environment, but also to break down psychological stereotypes, to teach city residents to understand the essence of the issue and the rules of interaction with this category of citizens, – noted the project curator, Deputy Chairman of the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee Dmitry Samuskov.

To improve the competence of different population groups, Novopolotsk residents are conducting a series of training seminars. The first of them brought together educators and took place at Secondary School No. 8 – one of the eight experimental sites. Children with disabilities

capabilities, including wheelchair users, study here alongside regular students who do their best to help their special classmates.

– We have been applying a differentiated approach to education and upbringing for over twenty years. Conditions have been created under which every child has a chance to achieve success, – said **Nina Odynets, Principal of Secondary School No. 8**.

An interactive seminar on promoting inclusive education was also conducted by teachers from Secondary School No. 8, who had previously undergone special training in Minsk: Svetlana Litvin, a psychologist of the highest qualification category, and Tatyana Paradnya, Deputy Principal for Academic Affairs, a defectologist teacher of the highest qualification category, and a member of the republican coaching team for inclusion. In just four days, they managed to unite their trainees into a team of like-minded people, dispelling initial doubts and wariness.

– People must be accepted as they are. Every person is special, and they should have opportunities to unlock their potential. I consider this the main message for our future work, – noted **Dmitry Kuznetsov, a young geography teacher**.

The inclusive space is to be gradually formed throughout the city. As part of the project implementation, equipment for distance learning will be purchased, a lift will be built and the sports ground of Secondary School No. 8 will be reconstructed, and the infrastructure of the Palace of Children and Youth and the "Izumrudny" health camp will be adapted to the needs of children with special needs.

**Larisa Malashenya, photos by the author. "Vitebskiye Vesti".**