Barrierless in action: the Ministry of Internal Affairs continues the implementation of the project “Driving schools for persons with disabilities”
Vitaliy Pcholkin, a graduate of the first set of the “Driving School for Persons with Disabilities”, received his first driver's license.
The man took the course on a specially equipped car for people with disabilities. According to the program, he completed 40 hours of practical management and passed an internal exam in an educational institution.
At the age of 19, Vitaliy suffered a serious injury, so now he is forced to move in a wheelchair. This year, the man began studying at a driving school on the basis of the National Academy of Internal Affairs. For about a month, he underwent theoretical training, and then successfully passed the exam at the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“Finally, the nine-year story is over. It was then, in the distant 2014, that there were first intentions to obtain a driver's license. But the trauma caused me to live in a new way. Then I had to give up the dream of driving a car. And today I am happy, because I got my dream driver's license,” says Vitaly.
The flagship project of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine “Driving schools for persons with disabilities” is implemented on the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine Elena Zelenska “Without Barriers”.
“This is the barrier-free action that I always promote and that our country has committed to implement even before the Russian invasion: equal opportunities, comfort and convenience for all Ukrainians in all spheres. It is difficult to overestimate this project now, when, due to the Russian attacks, there are rapidly increasing numbers of people with disabilities every day - young, active, full of plans. But they will certainly realize everything conceived and implemented in Ukraine fully, confidently managing not only the car, but also their future”, - emphasizes Elena Zelenska.
“Driving schools for persons with disabilities” is a project about social adaptation to public life and equal opportunities for all persons with disabilities, seeks to master driving skills and obtain a driver's license.
The aim of the project is to create an effective and comfortable system of adaptation of persons with disabilities to driving vehicles, taking into account their capabilities and needs.
In driving schools for people with disabilities, 46 people are studying, among them 7 military personnel. 16 people have already received a driver's license. Another 20 - applied for training.
Persons with disabilities who seek to obtain a driver's license, within the framework of this project have the opportunity to study in mixed inclusive groups or individually, to study theory in a remote format.
“We want to help socialize our defenders and defenders, as well as cover those people who have acquired disabilities before the war and have long intended to become drivers,” explains Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Ekaterina Pavlichenko.
More information about the project at: https://driveability.mvs.gov.ua/
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
