Every year on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed worldwide. This day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1992 to promote the rights of persons with disabilities in all spheres of public life and to raise awareness of the issues they face.

For our university, this is not just a date on the calendar. Currently, 178 students with disabilities are enrolled at MSUPE. Therefore, the comfort and supportiveness of the environment we help create for them is of paramount importance.

Our university is more than just an educational institution. It is a community of caring individuals striving to ensure that all students, regardless of their specific needs, have equal access to quality education and a full-fledged student life.

The university continues to actively work on creating a barrier-free environment, but physical accessibility is only the first step. Forming an inclusive educational space is our shared, multi-faceted task.

Since 2023, over 90 university teachers have completed the training program "Instructional and Methodological Support for Inclusive Higher Education." They implement adaptive teaching methods, utilize digital technologies, and apply individual approaches so that every student can maximize their potential. An atmosphere of mutual respect in classes and a willingness to accommodate all contribute to making university education truly inclusive.

Students with disabilities are not merely those in need of assistance but are full-fledged participants in academic life. They are talented researchers and active members of scientific and creative teams. Working on collaborative projects where everyone's contribution matters is the best way to learn from one another.

Inclusive volunteerism is actively developing at the university. In the "Trusted Students" project, our volunteers are always ready to assist with note-taking during lectures, provide companionship or technical support, and demonstrate empathy and a commitment to building equitable dialogue.

In 2025, the MSUPE inclusive volunteer team from the "Trusted Students" project, which includes students with disabilities:

• Presented their project at the VI All-Russian Gathering of Inclusive Volunteers "Inclusive Volunteering," held at MSUPE. At the Volunteer Movements Festival within this gathering, the team won second place in the blitz tournament "Inclusion Experts" and won the nomination "Unlimited Volunteer Resource";
• Became first-degree laureates at the Open Festival of Social Advertising and Media Volunteering #DOBROMEDIA with a project in the nomination "Best Social Project for Comfortable Learning";
• Advanced to the in-person stage of the VIII All-Russian Network Competition of Student Inclusive Projects "Professional Tomorrow," which will take place in Moscow on December 2–4, 2025, at the State University of Management;
• Conduct quarterly monitoring of accessible environments in cultural institutions in Moscow.

More details about the project can be found on the "Trusted Students" page and on VKontakte.

On the path to creating an inclusive and accessible society, it is crucial to ensure the daily engagement, accessibility, and empowerment of people of all abilities.