From today Uzhgorod school students have a real robot assistant (PHOTOS)

Uzhgorod school number 20 received a special robotic lift (made in Japan) for children’s wheelchairs, which will help children with disabilities to easier move around in modern Ukrainian conditions. Moreover, thanks to the robot, the children will be able to get to special school classrooms located on different floors. 

Rotarians showed reporters how the "Japanese robot" works. By the way, it was purchased with the help of the members of the Rotary Club in Oregon, USA.

Yaroslav Shafar, Rotary Foundation representative in Ukraine, said: "This is a humanitarian project, shared with Rotarians from Oregon. They are well acquainted with the problems of Uzhgorod and especially children with disabilities. So they decided to come to our assistance. This is not the first time, because previously they have bought a bus to transport these children from home to school, where they can learn together with all the other children. As for the purchase of the robot, there was a problem of finding the most appropriate one. They managed to find the machine manufactured in Japan, with modern powerful batteries. The robot can travel 200 floors without recharge, it is enough for a group of children for a day. Now children in wheelchairs will be able to attend all classes, not just those which are held in rooms located on the ground floor."

Marian Komarnicki, the director of the "Leader" lyceum of the School № 20 told about the problems of inclusive education (by which children with disabilities can learn in ordinary schools with all other peers). Thus, the budget provides funds for caregivers who will provide assistance to such kids – ordinary high school students. However, from September 1, 2012, the funding for this has not been provided.

Regarding the gift of the Rotary club, the director said: "This is a great initiative, because computer science, chemistry and biology classrooms with the proper equipment and illustrations are located on the upper floors. And now, wheelchaired students can be easily transported to those rooms."