Deputies proposed to allocate places in health camps for inclusive recreation for disabled children

A group of senators and deputies proposes to amend the article of the law “On Basic Guarantees of the Rights of the Child” concerning children’s recreation. The authors of the bill (available from Vedomosti) propose to define inclusive recreation and health improvement as ensuring equal access for children with disabilities and children with disabilities together with those who do not have health restrictions. Access is proposed to be ensured by the annual allocation of quotas – at least 10% for children with disabilities and disabilities from the total number of places in children’s camps and health organizations. The authors will submit a bill in the near future.

The explanatory note says that in Russia now there are practically no full-fledged inclusive shifts, “where children with special needs could rest together with ordinary children,” and rest in specialized organizations does not give disabled people the opportunity to integrate socially. The authors also note that recently such children are not allowed into children’s camps. “The situation needs to be resolved, because every year the number of needy children with disabilities and disabled children in Russia is growing and now amounts to about 2% of the total number of children in the country,” a State Duma deputy from United Russia, a member of the Committee on Education Alena Arshinova.

The annual allocation of places for disabled children in the amount of 10% will be allocated only in health-improving organizations included in the register. Arshinova explains that such registers already exist in every region, they are regularly updated, most often it is maintained by the ministry or department of education of the region. “Only those organizations that have complied with all the requirements established by law, including in terms of safety of stay, availability of conditions for storing medicines and specialized medical food products, organization of first aid and medical care for children, are included in the register,” the explanatory note explains. . The authors suggest that the regions themselves determine how exactly the quota will be distributed between children’s camps, provided that they have the necessary equipment and conditions for children with disabilities.

“The bill will create additional opportunities to ensure the social integration of children with disabilities and children with disabilities into the environment of ordinary peers, as well as conditions for successful adaptation of children, developing their independence skills in everyday life,” the authors summarize in an explanatory note.