Featured Country: Russia

— filed under: Eurasia

Discover more about the amazing country of Russia, steeped in historical, cultural and political significance. Find exchange programs, including programs to study Russian language, and utilize the disability resources to assist you during your stay there.

Featured Country: Russia - Brightly lit St Basil's in red Square, Russian coat of arms, and pictures from around Russia

About Russia

The Land

Map of Russia Russia is located on two continents - Asia and Europe - stretching from Arctic Siberia and China in the east to the borders of Ukraine, Belorus and Finland in the west. It occupies a historic and strategic place on the globe between the countries of south Asia and the Arctic Ocean. Russia is the largest country in the world based on land mass and consists of plains, tundra, permafrost, mountains, and a coastline with several islands.

History

Did you know that the Kremlin is surrounded by a red fortress wall with 20 towers - one of which is called the Tower of Secrets because of its secret passage to the river? Ever wonder how a building could be built without a single nail like the 22-domed 18th century Church of the Transfiguration on the small island of Kizhi in Lake Onega? Find out more about these and other interesting facts while in Russia.

During pre-Christian times, Russia was a country of tribes including the Turkic people, Slavs, Mongols and Varanians (a Scandinavian people). Russia was was an empire ruled by czars - from Ivan the Terrible to Nicholas II. It was during this time that much of what was to become the Soviet Union was brought under the control of the Russian Empire. The Bolsheviks, or Communists, seized power in 1917 during the 'Bolshevik Revolution' and the Soviet Union was formed. The Soviet Union rose to super-power status after World War II and became the dominant power in eastern Europe and Asia until its collapse in 1991. White, Blue and Red flag of Russia During the early 1990's, the Soviet Union splintered into 15 independent states after an effort to modernize Communism resulted in an unsuccessful military coup. Russia is now an independent country within the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Disability Information

In 1995, Russia passed a law protecting the rights of people with disabilities. The emphasis in this policy is on rehabilitation, prevention and individual support. According to the government, the main emphasis of the national disability law is on anti-discrimination. General legislation applies to persons with different disabilities with respect to education, employment, the right to marriage, the right to parenthood/family, and the right to privacy and to property rights. The benefits guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities are health and medical care, training, rehabilitation, counseling and financial security. According to the government, the benefit of employment, independent living and participation in decisions affecting people with disabilities is guaranteed by law. Read more about Russian disability legislation at Independent Living.

There are many active disability organizations and offices in Russia, some run by people with disabilities and others led by charities or the government. Accessibility is generally challenging and varies widely throughout the country, with larger cities and newer buildings more likely to be accessible.

Accessibility in the Main Cities of Russia

St. Petersburg

According to the Society for Accessible Travel and Accessibility (SATH), the official authorities of St. Petersburg have recently launched a new social program "Culture without Thresholds" the goal of which is to allow access to city museums for people with reduced mobility.

Moscow

Considered more accessible especially at its tourist sites such as the Pushkin State Museum or Tretyakovskaya Gallery.

Babushkas - older Russian women with colorful head scarves chatting in a park

Transportation & Accessibility

The Society for Accessible Travel and Accessibility (SATH) reports that more than 100 Russian passenger railroad cars are in service that are specially equipped for passengers with special needs. Entrance into the passenger rail car has a special elevator, which enables passengers in wheelchairs to get into the train. The lavatories are also wider and larger, and handrails are installed.

A young boy catches a ride on the bumper of a tram in Moscow All Moscow railway stations are supposed to be equipped with ramps and elevators for passengers with disabilities although some travelers report that they are not always working or installed.

For those with visual disabilities, plug sockets, switches, and call buttons for train attendants are supplied via tables with raised text for finger reading, and a special audio device provides necessary information (in Russian) aloud.

Many disability organizations are working to improve access and several projects have been undertaken to install ramps and elevators, as well as accessibility features for people who are blind.

Disability Organizations in Russia

When preparing for your exchange program, contact international and Russian disability organizations to assist with planning, information about accessibility, and equipment and medical needs. For a comprehensive list, Search Disability Organizations in Russia.

Exchange Programs

There are many organizations that offer programs for professionals, students, and volunteers to experience an international exchange in Russia. To find a program in Russia that interests you, search these databases available on the web: www.GoAbroad.com, www.StudyAbroad.com, www.Idealist.org or contact the international programs office at your school.

'Hello' in Russian

Russian Language Programs

Learn Russian in Russia! Russia is steeped in rich cultural traditions - knowledge of the language will greatly enhance your experience and be your doorway to into the 'real' Russia.

There is no better way to learn a language than to live where it is spoken every day!

Listed below are a few examples of the hundreds of programs and opportunities to learn Russian language in Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union. For more options, 'Google' "Russian Language Courses in Russia"

Eurocentres
101 North Union Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: (703) 684-1494 or (800) 648-4809
Fax: (703) 684-1495
E-mail: alx-info@eurocentres.com

Eurocentres offer intensive language study exchange programs for students, educators, professionals and other citizens. The Russian language program takes place in Moscow. Eurocentres is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing international understanding and has an official policy to assist people with disabilities who attend Eurocentres courses to learn languages abroad. Almost all of the centers have wheelchair access. Eurocentres has accommodated many paraplegic, blind, dyslexic and partially deaf students.

School for International Training (SIT) Study Abroad
Russia: Ethnic and Cultural Studies
Kipling Road, PO Box 676
Brattleboro, Vermont 05302
Phone: (888) 272-7881 or (802) 258-3212
E-mail: studyabroad@sit.org

SIT offers fall and spring semester programs in St. Petersburg and the Siberian city of Irkutsk. The program consists of 5 weeks homestay in St. Petersburg, 3 weeks in Irkutsk, and 1 week in rural Irkutsk, Tuva, or Buryatia. The program includes visits to sites and communities in the cities of St. Petersburg, Karelia, Moscow, and Irkutsk and in the regions of Tuva, Buryatia, and/or Irkutsk.

LanguageSchoolsGuide.com
Language Schools Guide has 36 Russian Language schools in Moscow and St. Petersburg listed on the website

AMBergh Education
Language courses in universities and school all over Russia and Ukraine

Language Link
Language courses, including short-term intensive courses all over Russia.

Privet! Russian Language School in Kaliningrad

Moscow State University – Summer language courses

Funding, Scholarships and Fellowships

Russian 1000 ruble note You can find opportunities to fund these opportunities or participate in U.S. Department of State programs by visiting the NCDE financial aid pages for a partial listing of scholarships, grants, publications and search engines, fundraising and the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs programs.

IIE Passport also lists programs and scholarships to Russia. The U.S. Embassy website under Education and Culture can provide further information on programs to Russia. Some of the U.S. Department of State programs include:

The Fulbright Program (for professionals and students)
Institute of International Education (IIE)

The Institute of International Education's website offers information and application procedures for Fulbright opportunities for U.S. students and professionals.

Office of Citizen Exchanges (ECA/PE/C)
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
U.S. Department of State
SA-44, 301 Fourth Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20547
Tel: 202.453.8181

Programs are designed to give Americans international and cross-cultural perspectives. Subject areas for Office of Citizen Exchanges include conflict resolution, environmental protection, trade unions, education administration and curriculum reform, media development, judicial training, local government, intellectual property rights, rule of law, public administration, small business development and management training, citizen networking, and other academic and professional disciplines.

Gilman Scholarships
Institute of International Education
520 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 740
Houston, TX 77027-9407
Contact Information for Applicants
Email: gilman@iie.org
Tel: 713.621.6300, ext 25
Fax: 713.621.0876

Eligible U.S. undergraduates can apply to receive financial support for study abroad programs. The Gilman Scholarships provide up to $5,000 for American students to pursue overseas study for college credit. Students studying critical need languages are eligible for up to $3,000 in additional funding as part of the new Critical Need Language Supplement program. Critical Need Languages include Russian.

ECA Russia & NIS Academic Exchanges
European Programs Branch, U.S. Department of State
SA-44, 301 4th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20547
Tel: (202) 205-0525
E-mail: exchange@pd.state.gov

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States. Department of State administers a variety of special programs for Russia and the New Independent States, including activities involving individual fellowships or institutional linkages. Other Russian/NIS exchanges are included in the Fulbright program.

Disability Projects in Russia

Kremlin walls in Red Square Canada / Russia Disability Program
Faculty of Social Work
521 Tier Building
Winnipeg, MB. R3T 2N2
Tel: (204) 474-7879

The Canada - Russia Disability Program is a four year project that began in April 2003 and is scheduled to continue until June 2007. This $4.0 million undertaking is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and managed by the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS).

The purpose of the program is to promote citizenship development by pursuing the social inclusion of Russians with disabilities and the transformation of key disability related cross-sectoral policies and practices as they affect people with disabilities, including psychiatric disorders. This will be done through the education of professionals and consumer group leaders in concepts derived from disability studies, community based services approaches to mental health and social work, by developing innovative alternate community based service models, by promoting policy change and by developing active knowledge networks that support continuing change and reform.

"Schools for One and All" & "About Love"
"Schools for One and All" is a film looking at a variety of integrated classrooms in and around Moscow. It provides an introduction for English speaking viewers to understand the level of development of the concepts of disability education and awareness in contemporary Russia.

"About Love," is an award-winning documentary featuring opinions about love volunteered by youngsters with physical disabilities who attend a school in Moscow for children "in poor health." For more information about these resources contact Perspektiva.

World Institute on Disability (WID)
WID currently has two projects funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and a third funded by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to promote inclusive education and to develop emerging disabled leaders in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Georgia proper and Abkhazia.

WID is supporting Perspektiva in creating a legal network in Russia, which protects the human and legal rights of persons with disabilities to an equal education. As the first disability project to receive Human Rights funding from USAID through its Moscow Mission, Perspektiva and WID work with USAID, Russian government policy-makers, lawyers, parents and disability NGOs to ensure that human rights, civil society, and education becomes more accessible to people with physical and mental disabilities in Russia and are creating a model, multi-regional legal advocacy network that works in partnership with community coalitions to promote and defend the human and legal rights of disabled children and adults to an equal education.

Universities and Disability Issues in Russia

Moscow University
Lomonosov Moscow State Social University (MSSU) is a leading educational institution in the highest level of university education in Russia. It plays a major role in the education and preparation of personnel for the health and social sectors through undergraduate, graduate and continuing education of professionals in areas of social work, psychology and social rehabilitation.

North Caucasus State Technical University (NCSTU) is one of the leading universities in North-Caucasus region and has four campuses outside of Stavropol. The University is recognized nationally and internationally for its educational and research work. The University has made its facilities accessible for people with physical disabilities and continues its contribution to systematic changes in the areas of education, policy and promotion of social model of disability and integration.

Postsecondary Education Network-International (PEN-International) a multinational partnership of colleges and universities worldwide, was created in 2001 through grants funded by The Nippon Foundation of Japan. Its goal is to improve and expand postsecondary education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students around the world. PEN-International is improving teaching and learning for hundereds of deaf and hard of hearing students in Russia at four universities: Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Novosibirsk State Technical University, Vladimir State University and The Academy of Management at Kazan.