Driving schools system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs help veterans retrain to drive after injuries
Today in seven regions of Ukraine there are seven driving schools for people with disabilities. In each of them, Ukrainian defenders and defenders have the opportunity to undergo retraining after injuries. Moreover, in Dnipro fighters can learn to drive C1 cars.
In driving schools, students have the opportunity to undergo training and retraining after an injury, acquire the skills of driving a car converted for manual control. Schools work closely with regional service centers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where students can pass exams and get a driver's license. More than 40 instructors and examiners of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have undergone specialized training, each of them has the skills of inclusive communication and interaction with listeners.
The project of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine “Driving schools for persons with disabilities” is implemented within the framework of the National Strategy for creating a barrier-free space in Ukraine, which is implemented on the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine Elena Zelenska.
In total, the duration of training is 11 weeks, of which 64 hours are reserved for the theoretical training course. 40 hours are allocated to acquire and improve practical driving skills. Modern training cars with manual control are equipped for students, classrooms are specially equipped for convenient and comfortable learning. On the territory where classes are held, accessible infrastructure is provided, ramps and separate bathrooms are installed.
In the driving schools of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 79 people study, 37 people successfully passed the exams and received a driver's license.
Pavel — one of the trainees of the driving school in Kyiv region, before the beginning of the full-scale invasion, worked in a consulting company, was a graduate student of the capital's university. In March last year, he volunteered for military service in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After being wounded by a shell, he lost his left limb. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation in the city. Bucha. Paul began to master the basics of the theoretical driving course even during the service, because he is sure that every soldier should be able to drive different types of transport under any circumstances. After the injury, he promised himself that he would certainly study at a driving school and get a driver's license.
“While I was in the rehabilitation center,” Pavel noted, “my wife, in order to support me, found out about the initiative of Elena Zelenskaya “Without Barriers”, within which the flagship project of the Ministry of Internal Affairs “Driving schools for persons with disabilities” was launched. After that, I easily found a contact number on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, received the necessary information and immediately decided to study at a driving school. The cars here are quite comfortable. And most importantly, I can learn despite my trauma.”
Now Paul is waiting for prosthetics. After that, training will take place with both limbs.
Mykola is a migrant from the city. Berdyansk. He is a soldier who, after receiving a severe limb injury and being in Russian captivity, is also undergoing rehabilitation.
“For me, the main thing is our victory and speedy rehabilitation. My recovery is facilitated by studying at a driving school. Here I was given hope that I could be needed, mobile, which means that life goes on...”, - notes the man.
“We are interested in ensuring that citizens do not close themselves after injuries, do not remain alone with their problems, have as many opportunities as possible and are integrated as much as possible into public life. At the same time, we have created a comprehensive service that already serves as an example of inclusion for other driving schools in Ukraine. And we are ready to share the experience of our driving schools with communities and businesses, so that barrier-free access is really accessible to everyone,” said Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kateryna Pavlichenko.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
