Barrier-free access means that you can get an education regardless of your health status. This approach is being implemented in educational institutions in the Kharkiv region.
«"In the conditions of a full-scale war, we continue to develop the educational sphere in the Kharkiv region. Together with UNICEF, within the framework of the project "Strengthening Inclusive Education for Children with Special Educational Needs in the Kharkiv region", we are working comprehensively to develop and strengthen the system of inclusive education for children with special educational needs. This area of work is under the personal control of the head of the KHOV, Oleg Synegubov. We thank the relevant ministry, international partners, public organizations and local governments for their fruitful cooperation. Our common goal is to create equal and barrier-free conditions for the comprehensive and harmonious development of our children," said Vita Kovalska, deputy head of the KHOV.
Given the request for access to modern and high-quality inclusive education for children with special educational needs, the Chuhuiv community in the 2024-2025 academic year actively participated in the project "Strengthening Inclusive Education for Children with Special Educational Needs in the Kharkiv Region", which is implemented with the support of the KHOV and funding from UNICEF. Among the project partners are the KhNPU named after G.S. Skovoroda, the charitable foundation "Kharkiv with You" and the public organization "Community of the Careful "Diya".
In 2024, 17 children with special educational needs who were previously deprived of such support were reached with community-based developmental services. In 2025, 11 children with SEN are receiving relevant services.
As part of their professional development, the consultant and rehabilitologist of the IRC completed advanced training courses at the pedagogical university in 2024. Training of two more specialists is planned for September 2025.
The human resource potential of the community's educational institutions is consistently increasing. Currently, six specialists with special education work in the institutions. Another six people are obtaining the relevant qualification in the magistracy with funds from the regional budget. Thus, as of January 1, 2026, the community will be provided with 12 qualified specialists. Personnel training is ongoing.
Within the framework of the Project, the material base of the IRC of the Chuhuiv community has been significantly strengthened. Equipment and educational and correctional materials worth over 87 thousand hryvnias have been purchased. These include didactic and methodological tools, a flannelgraph with thematic content, a speech therapy mirror for working on pronunciation, a set for cerebellar stimulation, educational games and books. In the classroom where the equipment is stored, windows have been covered with protective film.
Comprehensive assistance to children is also provided by the Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Children with Disabilities «SHANS», which operates with the support of the local budget and international partners, in particular GIZ. Thanks to the Center, about 250 children with disabilities who lived in the Chuguiv community before the start of the full-scale war received rehabilitation services on site, without the need to travel to the regional center.
The Center's activities began with a psychological and pedagogical department, and in 2024–2025 it expanded with the opening of early intervention and day care departments. All of them responded to the real needs of families and requests of community residents.
Currently, the Center continues to provide comprehensive support to children with disabilities and their families. Its services cover residents of the Chkalovsk, Malynivska, Novopokrovska, and Pechenizka communities of Chuguiv district, contributing to the rehabilitation, social adaptation, and improvement of the quality of life of children.