We provide the conditions for the full and dignified life of people with Down
Syndrome, autism and learning difficulties.
Perspectiva 21.3 is a charity organization, which represents the
interests of people with mental disabilities.
Where we come from
During 2010-2019 we existed only as an educational project named Perspectiva 21.3
under the umbrella of the
All-Ukrainian Charity Organization ‘Down Syndrome’. The project has grown into an independent organization
Charity
Organization Perspectiva 21.3 which was established in 2019. CO Perspectiva 21.3 focuses on 18+ age people
and their
adaptation into adult life, meaningful day activity, employment and independent living.
Beginning
Our story began… with a little boy. Petro Vasylenko was born in the summer of
2003. Ukrainian doctors didn’t see any perspectives for his life and offered his parents to sign the denial
papers of parental rights. “This child will be severely handicapped, will not walk, talk, read etc. Better
have yourself healthy children…”. But Vasylenko family didn’t agree with the doctors. They decided to work
on
a better life perspective for their son. And with the prayer this family organized a commited team of
christians with the goal to influence and change the
society’s attitude about people with Down syndrome in Ukraine!
School
In 2010 a pilot compensatory-education project was started on the base of State
boarding-school # 26 in Kyiv. It was the first class in Ukraine, where children with Down Syndrome were
taught according to their needs, emphasizing their strengths, thinking with perspective about their future.
Since 2012, 21 children with intellectual disabilities have been studying
according to a program that follows to the child’s needs, based on the individual strengths and having
prospects for the future.
Our team
Arenda Vasylenko-van De Reefounder, educational project manager
Artur IhnatovSEN teacher
Tetyana LytvynenkoSEN teacher
Volodymyr NaumovSEN and SEL teacher
Nataliia Lishchukeducational consultant
Olena Indyloprofessional training teacher
Viktor Chepurnyyprofessional training teacher
Hanna Borovykprofessional training teacher
Svitlana IvanchenkoSEN teacher
Oksana AbbasovaSEN teacher
Practice lessons
Practical skills are essential for the future success of our students. They are
necessary for employment and for everyday life. So we focus on practice a lot!
Additionally to academical lessons our students from primary school had
educative excursions to possible workplaces in the future.
Since 2018 pupils of the 8th grade started having practice at our
partners.
Each year the hours of practice increase. Since 2019 senior class has 2 days of
practice outside the school.
We adapted the regular Ukrainian school program for children with SEN. And after
the daily practice with the children, we developed an alternative program and a "Learning with Joy" series
of school books that
fit the child’s needs.
“Learning with Joy” series is accredited by Ministry of Education and used all
over Ukraine in both Special- as Inclusive schools.
Sharing experience
Parallel to the educational process, the project organizes seminars/practical
workshops for specialists from whole Ukraine on regular frequency. We also participate in conferences
and congresses which are organized by the ministry of Education as well, to share experience we have
obtained.
So far more than 1000 specialists reached and got certificates.
At the moment we are developing online-courses which will replace the
workshops in the future, so people can learn about “Learning with Joy” education model out of home, and
after successful passing the tests will receive a certificate which is also acknowledged by the government.
Social and Vocational Training Center
On September 6, 2021, we opened the Social and Vocational Training Center, where people with intellectual disabilities can come to have meaningful day activities — a place where each of them will feel needed and happy. Today we have 8 students with intellectual disabilities who have begun their preparation for adult life and future employment.
We believe that everybody is a unique person created into the image of God.
So we built a safe environment where each of our clients is provided with opportunities to develop its potential and be able to enjoy their life to the fullest.
