Mykolaiv Launches Inclusive Sensory Room for Children with Disabilities

An inclusive space for children with special needs has been created in Mykolaiv. This space will become a safe place to study and work with specialists who will help children with developmental disabilities and those who have experienced psychological trauma due to the war.

This was reported by Rubrika.

In January, the BUR NGO held a forum in Mykolaiv, which resulted in a decision to support the Touch of Happiness project, which is the creation of an inclusive room for children.

Increased stress levels have a negative impact on children, especially those with special educational needs. In the Ingul district of Mykolaiv, there is a lack of sensory rooms with qualified specialists, which limits access to effective methods of correction and rehabilitation. The lack of such resources can slow down the development of children and worsen their quality of life.

The Sensory Room will be located at the Pyramid of Knowledge Children's Development Center, which has been helping children with special educational needs for over 10 years. Children aged 2 to 14, including those with autism, ADHD, developmental delays, anxiety disorders, or stuttering, will be able to use the space's services.

It will also provide support to children who have lost relatives, had to move or experienced other difficult life circumstances due to the war.

Specialized equipment will be installed in the room to help develop sensory skills, motor coordination and emotional stability.

The equipment will include balancing walkways, sensory vests, special hammocks, baby mats and other elements that will help children calm down or become more active depending on their needs.

The project is being implemented in stages. First, the organizers will complete the search for partners and suppliers, and then purchase and install the equipment. The total cost of the necessary equipment is UAH 41,557.

The initiative is supported by the NGO "Building Ukraine Together" and the International Renaissance Foundation.

At the beginning of 2025, Mykolaiv was home to more than 2,300 children with disabilities. The war had severely limited their opportunities for rehabilitation, education and access to a barrier-free environment. Representatives of social services and city authorities emphasize the need to improve conditions.

Last December, an inclusive playground near a shelter was opened in Mykolaiv Oblast. It serves not only as a place to play but also as a center for various events. The space is adapted for everyone, including children with disabilities.

The Voznesensk community also opened a new inclusive gym, created as part of the ADAPT project, which aims to support adaptive sports for different categories of people. The main goal of the project is to enable people with disabilities to play sports, improve their health, and adapt to social life.

Анна Бальчінос