Ukrainian towns and villages remain inaccessible to people with disabilities, restricting their opportunities. Disabled people must contend with limited or no access to transportation and infrastructure, and are often regarded by society as incapable. Despite some steps improving accessibility in big cities there is much work to be done, especially in small towns and rural areas.
Natalia Osaulenko, Director of the Rehabilitation Center for Children with Disabilities in Romny, directs all her energy toward making sure disabled children are able to integrate into society. After a terrible accident put her in a wheelchair for 19 years, Natalia was certain that her purpose in life is to help people with disabilities. The Center in Romny that she opened became the first operating in a rural area of Ukraine.
As a young leader, Natalia had many ideas and ambition but lacked the experience to turn these into reality. She applied for the USAID Participant Training Program, “Mastering Modern Methods in Rehabilitation of Disabled Children,” initiated by the Ministry of Social Policy, and was selected. Natalia therefore had the opportunity to go to the U.S. to gain the experience she needed to turn her dreams and ideas into reality.
Natalia Osaulenko, Director of the Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Disabilities “
After returning to Ukraine, Natalia implemented the room design she had noted during the training to create a learning environment for children in the Rehabilitation Cener for Children with Disabilities, where she was manager.
“The first thing we did was introduce new teaching methods for children with disabilities who have severe speech problems. Communication skills is the most important thing for these kids to develop. One of the techniques used in U.S. schools involves using tablets with pictures. With these tablets, a child with a speech disorder can develop skills for coherent speech. Since tablets designed for disabled children are not available in Ukraine as they are in the U.S., specialists in our centre used ordinary tablets and adapted them, choosing and downloading the necessary pictures!” Natalia’s smile resonates with confidence and hope. “In June we held a trial lesson, and in September we fully introduced this methodology in our centre.”
During the program, Ms. Natalia befriended members of the Union of Ukrainian Women of America in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With their help she managed to implement a project that Natalia considers one of the most important in her life. “In May 2015, the Union of Ukrainian Women of America organized a bake sale. We used the funds to open a speech therapy school. We built a new office almost from scratch and bought the equipment. We also arranged a place for the parents where we distribute the latest information on education and social services for children with disabilities.”
In May 2016, Natalia and other Ukrainian PtP alumni visited Minsk to meet Belarusian rehabilitation specialists who had participated in USAID Community Connections programs. Natalia took advantage of the learning opportunity to further develop her Center.
Due to the experiences and knowledge she obtained during her studies, Natalia made Romny Centre one of the best in Ukraine. Currently, the Centre practices unique methods of treatment including sand animation, where children learn the technique of drawing with sand, which helps prevent emotional and psycho-physical diseases; alternative communication systems such as sharing pictures, which is beneficial for autistic children; and creating a transition period for children moving from home-based education to inclusive education.
Natalia Osaulenko still has many ideas to continue helping disabled people including developing grant projects, engaging highly qualified trainers, and supporting her own teaching staff to grow professionally. If everything she has already accomplished is any indicator, Natalia will achieve these goals and more.