«You can choose any profession if you know your rights»: KBSU supported schoolchildren with disabilities and special educational needs

A meeting entitled «Professional Start: Choice Without Barriers» was held at the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov. Its goal was to help schoolchildren with disabilities and special educational needs take a confident step toward choosing a profession, overcoming their fear of difficulties. The discussion brought together the students themselves, their parents, KBSU students, and university specialists.

During the panel discussion «How to Choose a Profession Taking Health into Account?», Fatima Tkhazeplova, Head of the Career Guidance Department at KBSU, presented a list of recommended training programs for various medical conditions, demonstrated a step-by-step procedure for submitting documents through the Unified State Services Portal (Gosuslugi), and explained how to correctly balance personal capabilities with university requirements.

«Choosing a career isn’t a rigid framework, but a map of possibilities where everyone has their own path,» emphasized Fatima Tkhazeplova.

This was followed by an art therapy master class led by Rimma Bagova, Associate Professor at the Institute of Pedagogy, Psychology, and Physical Education and Sports Education. Participants learned tools for self-regulation in stressful situations, practices of self-knowledge, and careful self-expression, adapted for different health groups.

«Art therapy turned out to be more than just creativity, but a real way to cope with stress. These skills will be useful for exams, in school, and later in life,» noted Rimma Bagova.
The «Ask a Specialist» session was led by Lyudmila Nastueva, Head of the Inclusive Education Department at the UOP. In an open dialogue format, she dispelled the fears of applicants and parents by detailing the admissions support mechanisms, such as:

a special quota and benefits (10% of state-funded places for individuals with disabilities of groups I and II, and children with disabilities);

the right to choose the form of entrance examinations: the Unified State Exam or the university’s internal exams;

special conditions for taking the exams (extended time, the presence of an assistant, sign language interpreter services, materials in Braille, etc.);

scholarship support and financial guarantees for students with disabilities.

KBSU students with disabilities and special educational needs shared their inspiring success stories. Erika Kertieva, a first-year student at Saratov State University of Humanities (History major), spoke about her entrance examinations, explained her choice of major, and shared what helped her persevere through difficult times. Saratov State University graduate Anastasia Semenova (fourth-year, Sociology major) spoke about her successful socialization at the university, how her studies became a space for creativity and self-expression, and her plans to work in the cultural sector.

The students offered three simple but important pieces of advice to the students: «Never give up»; «Don’t be afraid of anything»; «Don’t wait for concessions, but believe in yourself.»

The meeting was enhanced by hearing-impaired medical college students Zalina Sulieva, Alena Bzabzova, and Sofia Chuguevskaya. Under the guidance of sign language interpreter Raisa Tebaeva, they performed a musical composition in sign language.

The event, «Professional Start: Choice Without Barriers,» clearly demonstrated that barriers often exist only in our perceptions. The main conclusion reached by the participants was that modern education and legislation are fully on the side of those who strive to learn and build a career, regardless of their health conditions. The law, the university, and specialists are ready to support you at every stage—from choosing a profession to defending your diploma.