7 non-profit organizations that improve the lives of people with disabilities

1. Charitable Foundation Inclusive Dance

Inclusive Dance helps the wards improve their health through dancing, holds inclusive concerts and competitions. The foundation also organizes training sessions where people with various disabilities can improve their skills. Employees of Inclusive Dance know from personal experience that dancing helps to make friends and rehabilitate after serious illnesses.

The Foundation has brought together hundreds of projects that also help people with disabilities to be creative. To apply and become a member of the movement, you can register on the project website. After that, face-to-face or online classes will be available: the foundation publishes free educational webinars.

2. Adult Help Fund "Zhivoy"

It is not uncommon for people with disabilities and severe injuries to leave the NPO's field of vision as soon as they turn 18. However, they still need help. For this purpose, the foundation was created

Alive». He raises funds for expensive treatment for his wards. During its work, the foundation has helped people with lymphedemaGulnaz Akchulpanova / Alive. Adult Help Fund», cancerYulia Dyatlova / Alive. Adult Help Fund» thyroid gland, strokeDmitry Demidov / Alive. Adult Help Fund» and other diseases that significantly impair the quality of life.

“Alive” also talks in detail about the types of cancer and how to go into remission. For this, the site has guidelines, which help to learn more about oncological diseases and existing methods of dealing with them.

To undergo a course of rehabilitation or receive treatment, you can leave an application for site. Help is available to citizens of Russia and the CIS countries.

3. Social project "Open Environment"

Volunteers of Krasnodar center help people with autism learn everyday skills, make friends and start living independently. To do this, volunteers work with wards in training apartments. Here, adults with autism learn to plan a day, prepare meals, and keep a budget.

Open Environment also arranges art therapy sessions and trips to the cinema. In addition, project staff help people with autism spectrum disorders defend their right to work, and also raise public awareness of mental characteristics. For example, in March of this year, "Open Wednesday" launched podcast "Everything is not like everyone else", hosted by people with autism.

To apply, a person with ASD or their relatives can call + 7 918 947-45-84, write to e-mail [email protected] or visit the center in person.

4. Inclusive workshops "Simple things"

Wu "simple things» seven workshops in St. Petersburg: ceramic, sewing, culinary, carpentry, flower, graphic, and art studio. Volunteers and their wards with mental disabilities create a variety of items - from small mugs and plates to tables and clothing collections. In the meantime, they get to know each other, make friends and gradually socialize.

In addition, "Simple Things" helps to find a decent job. According to project statistics, more than half of people with disabilities cannot find a job, which makes them feel isolated from society. The staff of the workshops help them to return to a full life. To do this, an applicant with a disability needs to fill out a preliminary acquaintance form. If it becomes clear that the center suits him, the applicant will be invited for an interview. Then he will be able to train in the workshops, and the "Simple things" will help him find a job. There are three programs for this:

• social employment;
• internships;
• production quotas.

Among those who help in finding employment are Gazprom, the Society of Parents of Children with Disabilities GAOORDI, the St. Petersburg Employment Committee. To visit the workshops or find a job, you need to write to the mail [email protected]

5. Creative Association "Circle"

Here, as in "Simple Things", people also learn crafts. An association, which is located in Moscow, helps wards with mental disorders, hearing and vision impairments. They create dishes, weave lace accessories, make soap and candles, and decorate clothes. As the creators of the "Circle" note, some of the workshops have no analogues. For example, according to them, almost no one in Russia and in the world does ceramics with deaf-blind people.

Finding a hobby isn't all that Krug helps with. Here, people with disabilities can consult a psychologist, learn a craft to work in production. Also, the employees of the association teach the wards to take care of themselves on the basis of training apartments. To become one of the members of the "Circle" and get support, you can write to the mail [email protected] or dial +7 (915) 332‑40‑91.

6. ROOI "Perspective"

Most of the employees and volunteers of this organization have a disability. They know from personal experience what the wards lack for a comfortable life, and they are trying to change the face of cities. For example, "perspective» promotes universal design - a concept that suggests that the urban environment should be convenient for everyone, regardless of individual characteristics. The organization trains specialists who audit public places and make sure that people with various forms of disabilities are comfortable outside the walls of the house.

In addition, they help to find a job and get legal support. Perspektiva arranges job fairs for people with disabilities and trainings for companies that are ready to take on employees with mental and physical disabilities.

Finally, the organization supports children, teenagers and their parents in their efforts to find the best place to study. Perspektiva helps to equip schools and universities for the needs of the students and consults with teachers. You can contact the organization by email. [email protected]‑inva.ru or +7(495)725‑39‑82.

7. Promotion Foundation

People who need an active wheelchair can apply here. With its help, you can make long walks without safety net of accompanying people and even go in for sports. Basically, the wards of the fund are small children, but “PromotionHelps adults too.

The organization raises funds in order to provide active wheelchairs to everyone who asks for help. Some of those who apply to Promotion have been in wheelchairs all their lives, while others have had to move into them quite recently. What unites the wards of the foundation is the fact that they want and can go shopping and cafes, meet friends, engage in hobbies and walk their dogs without anyone's help. To apply for fundraising and production of an active wheelchair, you need to fill out questionnaire.