The Government of Uzbekistan has been investing considerable effort into improving the provision of medical and social assistance to persons with disabilities, and enhancing their quality of life, while bringing better education and employment within their reach. Most notably, the focus was on creating opportunities and empowering environments for people with visual and hearing impairments. 

However, other categories of persons with disabilities still lack access to work, or to the skills development and education they need to participate in the labour market. There are no courses or workshops to train persons with disabilities in key professions, which should have their foundation in quality and inclusive education provided in childhood and adolescence. 

Within the purview of its commitment to promote the rights of people with disabilities, UNDP launched  small grants competition among the organizations of persons with disabilities (OPD), to support their social initiatives within the framework of the UN Joint Programme on Social Protection in Uzbekistan in 2020. The Republican Centre for Social Adaptation of Children (RCSAD) is one of 11 grant-winners: the OPD received funding for its ‘Kids’ art workshop’ project designed to teach artisanal handicrafts to children and young people with disabilities.

“The main goal of this inclusive workshop is to ensure the socialization of children with disabilities through working together with other children. They will communicate with and help each other, while learning various types of handicrafts. Likewise, the art classes will help develop physical abilities such as fine motor skills, mental abilities such as improved concentration, colour differentiation and environmental awareness, ” said Dr. Vasila Alimova, the project leader.

“Children with disabilities and their parents, will master a few types of handicrafts. In the future their works can go to sales exhibitions, and the participants may decide to continue making art and handicrafts at home.” 

This initiative was implemented together with the NGO ‘Hunarmand’ Artisans Association of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Parties agreed that the association’s trainers and crafts specialists will assist during the implementation phase of the ‘Kids’ art workshop’ and beyond the project life, which was sealed through signing a Memorandum of Understanding between RCSAD and NGO ‘Hunarmand’.

The inclusive workshop allowed children with disabilities not only to utilize their intelligence and develop fine motor skills and aesthetic perceptions, but also build friendships, refine social skills via communicating with peers, and sharing knowledge . The participants gain a sense of real accomplishment and greater self-confidence.

In March 2021 the Сentre inaugurated the the launch of the ‘Kids’ art workshop’ in a ceremony attended by UNDP, the ‘Hunarmand’ association, local government and other guests, including children with disabilities and their parents.

The workshops combined learning and social spaces for children and young adults with disabilities aged from 8 to 20 years old. Five groups consisting of 2 to 4 children tried “pottery”, “miniature painting,” “toy-making”, “beading”, and “traditional embroidery and felting” in classes, run by artisans from the ‘Hunarmand’ association.

Although this UN-funded project has been completed, “the work has not stopped”, tells Ms Vasila Alimova. This workshop served a good example on how to promote inclusivity in different areas of life for people and children with disabilities, in line with the norms and principles of international practice. Children continue attending the courses at the Center, while cooperating with the Hunarmand Association. To secure the good work continuation, The Hunarmand Association won a US$4,000 grant so they could support and contribute to the socialization, integration and rehabilitation of children with disabilities. We hope that there will be many more similar projects providing inclusive and barrier-free opportunities for persons and children with disabilities, that can serve as a pool of ideas for broader government programs.