“Inclusion and meaningful participation in humanitarian programs for children with disabilities and their parents/caregivers”

On Monday, July 24, 2024, representatives of the Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding attended a training on “Inclusion and Meaningful Participation in Humanitarian Programs for Children with Disabilities and Their Parents/Caregivers” organized by UNICEF in Odesa.

The event was attended by Oleksandr Tur, Head of the ESCIC, Viacheslav Ivata,, Associate Professor, Dean of FEM, and Olesia Oleksiuk,, Associate Professor. The main purpose of the training was to discuss approaches to inclusion based on human rights in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The event covered practical aspects of adapting program activities, events, facilities and materials to the needs of people with disabilities. Participants also got acquainted with the barrier-free dictionary and a practical checklist for assessing the inclusiveness of programs. In addition, ways to involve children with disabilities in these programs were discussed.

The training was led by Hanna Usatenko, UNICEF consultant on disability inclusion, who shared her experience with case studies and the UNICEF DIPAS strategy for the social inclusion of people with disabilities. The event resulted in planning the next steps to increase the level of inclusiveness in humanitarian programs. Participants received additional materials and a checklist for planning and assessing the inclusiveness of current programs. This training provided important knowledge and tools for implementing inclusion in our daily activities.