Vladimir Zakharov
Features of the Russian reality carry disabled children to so-called groups of risk alongside with such groups of children and teenagers as homeless and neglected, drug addicted, offenders etc.
The difference between handicapped children from the mentioned groups is absence of a social and destructive behavior in a society, and, in general - social exception, non-acceptance by society of such children with their problems.
Aggravation of problems of the disabled children is caused by absence of effective methodic of work with such children, young men and their parents, presence of the big number of the closed social establishments (psychoneurologic and children's boarding schools) for handicapped children and teenagers with problems (containing at times from 600 up to 1000 person); and also weak structure of the integrative education and the formation, an insufficient social infrastructure of social service for families with such children.
Initiatives of the organizations of a noncommercial structure and, first of all, parents of disabled children are directed on three basic purposes:
1. Change of the attitude in a society to disabled children.
2. Stimulation of creation and development of the state support of such
children.
3. Associations of initiatives NGO in the field of development, adaptation
and introduction of new forms and methods of work with disabled children.
Experience of St. Petersburg association for the societies of parents with disabled children "GAOORDI" is one of successful kinds of the organized help to families with disabled children.
St. Petersburg association for the societies of parents with disabled children "GAOORDI" is a non-municipal non-commercial public organization that unites seventy-five public organizations. It was founded in 12.06.1992 and started its activities by 13 parental unions and citizens of St. Petersburg with the purpose of cooperation of public and state structures to find the solution to a problems, experiences by physically and mentally disabled children.
Sources of financing of its activity are: the budget of St. Petersburg, the grants, the involved means of sponsors, charitable and target payments. It cooperates with state and nongovernmental organizations, executive and legislative authorities of St. Petersburg, persons interested in the problem.
The main activities of GAOORDI are the spectrum of actions devoted to the social protection of disabled children, young persons and families with such kind of persons. They are: special programs on professional, creative and social rehabilitation; organization of festivals, concerts, exhibitions, seminars, conferences and consultations for disabled children and their parents; preparation the summer rest programs; development and dissemination special informational and methodological materials for the specialists and the society; professional orientation, supported employment; social help for families in hard life situation, etc.
There are three Centers in GAOORDI:
- Social Rehabilitation;
- Creative rehabilitation;
- Informational and methodological.
More information at info@gaoordi.ru or www.gaoordi.spb.ru