INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN UZBEKISTAN

Ikuo Khirayama International Caravan saray of Culture in Tashkent was decorated by beautiful and touching paintings from October 28 to December 4. Hearts filled with Love, the exhibition of the artwork of children with disabilities was held here.

The works for the exhibition were presented by children enrolled at two creative arts centers, working with children with disabilities – Iqtidor from Kokand and Sanvikt in Tashkent. 

The exhibition was organized by the number of partners including the Academy of the Arts of Uzbekistan, the Embassy of Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of Population. 

A number of authors from of these works from Kokand and Tashkent were invited to the opening and their visit was organized. For the children from Ferghana valley this also became an opportunity to see Tashkent, fulfil their lives with bright impressions including by admiration their works by the audience and the landmark sites of the capital city. Everyone who came to the opening of the exhibition, their hearts were filled with love at the sight of these sincere works of talented young people, who, despite their problems with health, find the strength to create and improve their art. Iqtidor and Sanvikt, unique artistic centers - NGOs help them in this, demonstrating the example of transforming and enriching the life of children with physical disabilities through care and instilling the artistic skills. 

A number of authors of these works were awarded in the grand opening. They include the artist Lutfullo Kodirov with both arms missing from birth, artist Uktam Mamadiev with congenital absence of the right arm, Sarvinoz Sattarova, artistic carpet-weaver with disabilities of internal organs, metal caulker – engraver Giyos Masaidov with hearing and speaking impairments since childhood, and engraver Zarifjon Saliev, a wheelchair user, artist Mavluda Abdunazarova with congenital absence of both arms. All these children represent Iqtidor, the Center for support of children with disabilities and in need of social support in Kokand. Also the children from Sanvikt, the Artistic Research Center, were also awarded, including three artists: Jasur Jumaev, who became Category 1 disabled after an accident, Andrey Grechkin and Fahriddin Yahshiev with cerebral infantile spastic paralysis. Rustam Babajanov from Sanvikt, master of computer graphics with Category 1 disability was also noted. 

As Akmal Nuriddinov, the chairman of the Academy of the Arts of Uzbekistan, noted at the opening, organization of this exhibition is a special event. He noted that he knows many of these children, including those from Sanvikt center, and this exhibition represents both their creative growth and improvement of the skills by young authors, although life put them through these tests. Kind words were said for selfless organizers of these artistic centers – Uktamhon Ahmadalieva (Iqtidor) and Gulsora Rajabova (Sanvikt). In his emotional speech, Mr. Fumikhiko Kato, the ambassador of Japan in Uzbekistan, underscored that he will be very much pleased if the exhibition Hearts filled with Kindness will help every viewer to understand the value of the works done by these special people. He also noted the major contribution of Yumito Kano, a Japanese volunteer, who had been working at Iqtidor center in Kokand for about 2 years, in promoting the idea of organizing this exhibition. 

As Aziz Abdukhakimov, the minister for labor and social security of population noted at the opening, the first ten days of December is a significant period in the life of the country. 

— It is the time, when we celebrate several important dates including those dedicated to human rights. December 3 – Day of Persons with disabilities, December 8 – is a major day in the history of our country – Constitution Day of Uzbekistan. December 10 is the Day of Human Rights. In the preamble of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Disabled Persons, it is underscored that the persons with disabilities have all human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaraton of Human Rights and International Covenants on Human Rights, and reaffirms the universality, integrity, mutual dependency and linkages between all human rights, said Abdukhakimov, A.He underscored that the reason for adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Disabled Persons was that despite adoption of miscellaneous documents, often the persons with disabilities continue facing barriers on the way of participation in public life as fullfledged members and violations of their rights in different parts of the world. 

Head of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population also noted that this exhibition is one of the first activities of this traditionally celebrated Month, which envisages events to be held in all regions of the country with the focus on social protection and social integration of the persons with disabilities. 

Also it should be added that art can not only enrich the lives of the persons with grave physical challenges but also become their financial support. An example may be the works of already wellknown master Jasur Jumaev. His amazing straw pictures were also displayed on the exhibition. Today he already has his own workshop in his home village of Sejak in Bostonliq district. His works can be purchased in the souvenir shop at Barak Khan madrasah of Khast Imam complex.

-I have been doing this over 10 years. I started my training with the acquaintance of mine, master Otabek Yuldashev. I used to like his works a lot. He became my teacher. What attracted me in this art from the very beginning?

Probably, it is the unusual nature of this material. For creating my pictures I only use straw and nothing else – neither paints nor other materials. Straw is a purely natural material and it emanates warmth. We collect the stock for pictures on wheat fields in the mountains. 

In the hands of this artist, straw gains life. His pictures are full of light and good humor. Many of them are purchased by guests from abroad and this reminds them of Uzbekistan in different corners of the world. Despite being busy and problems with movement, as Jasur moves on a wheelchair, he manages to visit Sanvikt center from time to time, where he runs master classes for children. Master classes not only as an artist but also as a human being, who find own decent place, overcoming the fate.

(Contibutor: Luiza MAHMUDOVA, Turkiston press)

For the entire length of her activities Yumi understood that these exhibitions constitute big incentive for children with special needs and her aspiration to implement this idea has grown constantly. She made many efforts for implementation of this exhibition, noted the Ambassador of Japan.

Compliance with the rights of the person with disabilities is an easy indicatоr of the extent of overall compliance with human rights

Art can not only enrich the lives of the persons with grave physical challenges but also become their financial support