Expanding Classroom Discussions:
Incorporating Disability Topics
in Advanced Russian Courses
Izolda (Iza) Savenkova
An accessible city should seamlessly facilitate navigation for all without segregating any group.
Surgut, City in Russia, 2019
Tolyatti, City in Russia, 2022
Moscow area, 2023
Accessibility in Urban Settings
Exploring Accessibility: Intermediate-Advanced Language Course Activities
Local Russian Mapping Service: Yandex Maps
"Talisman" – Adaptation of Young People with Disabilities 2023
"Talisman" - a project for people with disabilities, who need rehabilitation. They need your support!
Disability in Numbers
Students With Disabilities in Higher Education: Facts and Statistics
Sample Activity for Novice Learners
Instruction for students [it is translated into English for this presentation]:
Look at the images on the slide and answer the questions:
Instruction for students [it is translated into English for this presentation]:
Imagine you're visiting an art gallery. Stroll around (or scroll through the page). Identify a piece of art that captivates you the most. Why does it grab your attention? Ponder on what the artist might be trying to convey through this piece. How does the title of the work inform us about it? Consider what might have inspired the artist to create this piece. Can you spot anything modern, provocative, or remarkable in this artwork?
After answering all of these questions, research the artist who created it. During class on Wednesday, you'll need to present a 3-minute talk in small groups about the artist and the artwork you've selected. Ensure you utilize the active vocabulary from Quizlet in your presentation.
Sample Activity for Advanced Learners
Merchant’s Wife at Tea.
Boris Kustodiev.1918
Demon (sitting)
Mikhail Vrubel. 1890
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories
Less Effective Practice: Role-Play Activity
One student in each group will play the part of someone with autism. The other 4 people each have different jobs: Person #1 - You will play the part of a person with autism. Your job is to try and listen to what Person #5 is reading to you so you can take a test on the material. Try to ignore everyone else.
Disability-Inclusive Language
“Inappropriate language can make people feel excluded or offend them and can be a barrier to full and meaningful participation.” (UN Disability Language Guidelines, 2019).
When utilizing people-first language, we should consider the following:
• Word Order: The individual is referenced first, followed by his or her disability.
• Current Terminology: Recognize that acceptable phrases can shift in connotation over time as terminology evolves.
Sample Activities with Disability-Inclusive Language
2. Find examples of usage for three pairs of synonymous terms. Analyze the context and style of the resources where you find them, and draw conclusions about how the usage of these terms may vary.
References