DVC on Infantile Cerebral Palsy

2011/02/18

Anna Shirinkina speaks with American about ICP in Russia. (Photo: U.S. Department of State)

Changing the Lives of People with Cerebral Palsy for the Better

An audience of 20 people – local NGO leaders, parents of disabled children, specialists of rehabilitation centers, and representatives of local authorities - gathered at the U.S. Consulate in Yekaterinburg for a DVC on Infantile Cerebral Palsy on February 18. For an hour and a half they communicated with U.S. panelists Sue Swenson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office on Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education, and Lara Terrell, Manager of Information and Referral Services, United Cerebral Palsy. The DVC was initiated by a young and active “Klass Roditeley” NGO which advocates the rights of children with disabilities since 2009. The NGO leader Anna Shirinkina made a presentation on situation with ICP in Russia followed by U.S. presentations and Q&A series. The areas of discussion included government support, rehabilitation, special needs for education, and environmental accessibility for children with disabilities. Both parties found the conference informative and expressed the desire to continue the dialog.