According to data supplied by the Committee on Education and Science for the Kursk Oblast (Region,) 66, 616 pre-school children and 102, 446 school age (6 to 17 years of age) reside in the region as of October 1, 2011. Of this number 3, 273 children have been classified as “invalids” or “disabled” in some way. This figure represents around 2% of the general student population. Of these 3,144 receive an education under the label of “Limited Health Abilities.” 1,207 receive it in a general-education school, 429 at home, and only 392 in the public, special education system. Even though our region has all types of special (corrective and rehabilitational) institutions for children with “limited abilities,” in some cases it is difficult for them to gain access to a quality education from the particular institutions in the area where they live.

Providing accessible high quality education implies implementation of an educational environment that would ensure successful socialization of every student including those with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities. In Kursk, such a range of services is offered in the Kursk Regional Center for Psychological, Medical and Social Support. The opening of the Center was received with rising hopes both by doctors and teachers.