12 June, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The Swedish model of adaptation for people with disabilities is being successfully implemented in the Vitebsk region. This was announced to journalists by Ulf Bengtsson, head of the project "Social Integration of Children and Youth with Disabilities in the Vitebsk Region", as reported by a BELTA correspondent. The project "Social Integration of Children and Youth with Disabilities in the Vitebsk Region" has been implemented jointly with the Swedish city of Halmstad since 2009 and concludes in 2012. The Swedish government allocated €130,000 for it. Among the most important goals of the project, its participants name the improvement of living conditions and quality of life for children and youth with psychophysical development peculiarities, the promotion of their integration into society, as well as the change of negative stereotypes formed regarding people with disabilities. Within the framework of the project implementation, reference and methodological recommendations and manuals have been published, reflecting the best practices of Swedish specialists. Joint round tables and conferences for the exchange of experience and knowledge have been held. Ten specialists from the social service of the Vitebsk region underwent internships in Halmstad and studied the Swedish system of rehabilitation and adaptation of people with development peculiarities. According to Ulf Bengtsson, during the project implementation, positive changes in the quality of life of young people with disabilities have occurred in the region. Improvements in the integration of people with development peculiarities have become evident. Systematic work has emerged, the professionalism of employees has increased, and attitudes towards this category of people in society have improved. The forms of work with young people with disabilities have become more interesting and diverse. At the same time, much remains to be done for their socialisation. Swedish partners will stay in the region for four days. During this time, they will become acquainted with the activities of volunteers - students of the Faculty of Social Pedagogy and Psychology of Vitebsk State University, and will visit social institutions in the Sennensky and Orshansky districts. -0-

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