INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN UZBEKISTAN

There are two main approaches to understanding what “disability” is. The first one, traditional approach is medical. According to it, disability is an illness. Cure an illness, and all problems of the person will be resolved. In accordance with the medical approach, all efforts should be aimed at cure or “correction” of violations or deviations in the person, his approaching to “normal”. According to the social approach, the main problems of a person with disabilities are not in healthrelated condition or disease, but in inadequate environmental and social support system.

After all, not all people with disabilities can be cured. For example, the blind person in many cases will never be able to see, but the reason that he does not use a library is not in his poor eyesight. The reason is in the absence of audio books or books printed in Braille script in the library. No matter how the person moves – by feet or on a wheelchair, the main thing is that he could reach the place he needs. The concepts “un-teachable”, “disabled” are absent within this approach. And medical care is perceived as not the only one important, but on a par with the social conditions in ensuring the quality of life of people with special needs.

More than 100 new staff positions for bachelors of social work, lawyers, psychologists, defectologists and medical professionals are being created in “Muruvvat” Orphanages for children with severe intellectual disabilities. Reforms in social protection of people with disabilities, both of children and adults, introduction of advanced social technologies in this sphere are implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In particular, staffing structure and performance standards of “Muruvvat” Orphanages for children with severe intellectual disabilities are revised.

Contrary to the traditional medical approach the pupils of these orphanages are not perceived as “unteachable”. Like all the children in our country, they have the right for education. Perhaps, Physics or English will remain incomprehensible for understanding by some of them, but the self-care skills, education on the skills of communication, games, basic work activities will be developed. Qualified defectologists and psychologists introduced into the staff of “Muruvvat” orphanages will work in order to make development of children the most intensive and life – more joyful.

In accordance with the social approach, children with intellectual disabilities, as well as all other children must live in a family. Professional social workers introduced into the staff of “Muruvvat” orphanages will workwith the pupils’ families to ensure that children could return home to his family and friends. The lawyers who are also staffed will ensure that the rights of children are not violated, and their property and housing will wait for them in case of release from the orphanage.

The next task of the Ministry is to develop and implement performance standards for the “Muruvvat” orphanages, innovative programs on social adaptation and rehabilitation, training and education of children with intellectual disabilities, which proved the efficiency in Uzbekistan and abroad. Partners of the Ministry in this work will be the Republican Centre for Social Adaptation of Children, Ministries of Public Education and Health.