ASTANA – A new centre for children with special educational needs has opened in the Kostanai region.
Comprehensive professional assistance by specialists, including a therapist, psychologist, speech therapist, visual impairment specialist, deaf and hard of hearing teacher and massage therapist is offered for children and their families.
The project was launched as part of the Different-Equal: We Are for Inclusive Education project initiated by the Dara Fund with the support of the Kostanai region akimat (governor’s office).
The correction centre plans to provide support for more than 150 children from birth to seven with developmental disabilities who are unable to visit other places and prepare them for inclusive education.
Kostanai region Akim (Governor) Arkhimed Mukhambetov granted a certificate for 1 million tenge (US$2,999) for the purchase of special equipment for an audiology room and a certificate for the purchase of computer equipment.
“There was only one regional psycho-pedagogical centre 25 years ago. Now there are more than 15 organisations in the region. Today, we are opening a new psycho-pedagogical correction centre for children. I wish success to the fund specialists and benefactors in their work. There are 13 centres in the country thanks to the fund’s activities,” Mukhambetov said at the centre’s opening ceremony.
According to Dara Fund founder Gulnar Dossayeva, children with challenges are in need of such places.
“Our task is to promote the principles of an inclusive society. The children with special educational needs have access to the specialists free of charge at the correction centres. We also provide training for the specialists and support inclusive education implementation in our country,” Dossayeva said.
The centre is designed to be a barrier-free environment, including wide doorways, no thresholds, colour signals and handrails. The offices are equipped with modern equipment and teaching materials. There is also a Montessori room equipped with special books and games and a room for physiotherapy exercises.
