Professor: Vera Shengeliya
Semester: Spring 2024
Subject: HR
Course Level: 300
Number of Bard Credits: 1
Course Title: Empowering People with Disabilities: Community Support and Advocacy
Max Enrollment: 22
Schedule: 10 weeks (February 12 – April 15), Monday 5:50 – 7:10 (Berlin (UTC + 2)
Cross-Listing(s): no
Language of Instruction: Russian

This course focuses on the importance of community support and advocacy in empowering individuals with disabilities, with a specific emphasis on examining real-life cases and community support projects. Students will explore the ways in which communities can provide assistance, resources, and inclusive opportunities to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. Through in-depth case studies and analysis of successful community support models, students will gain practical insights into the strategies and approaches that have effectively addressed the needs of individuals with disabilities. They will examine specific projects and initiatives from around the world that have made a positive impact on accessibility, employment, healthcare, education, social integration, and technological advancements for people with disabilities.

Guidelines for the Statement of Purpose:
Craft a reflective statement of purpose explaining your interest in the Smolny Beyond Borders online course. The file should be saved with your name and course title as the filename and uploaded accordingly. Your statement’s clarity and substance will significantly influence our selection. Convey your motivations and aspirations for this course succinctly but thoroughly. Kindly write your statement in the course’s Language of Instruction.

Application Portal Instructions:
1) Use the Latin alphabet for all entries on the portal, including your name. If the Language of Instruction is Russian, you may use Cyrillic only within the Statement of Purpose file, and the title of the file should still be in English.
2) Refrain from using email addresses associated with Russian or Belarusian educational institutions.
3) While completing the “Required Information” section, ensure you fill in the “Province” field for your address.
4) Provide an address outside Russia or Belarus in both the “Required Information” and “Geographic Location Confirmation” sections of the “Online Course Application”. This ensures we can send your transcript.
5) You must press the “Sign” button twice during the application.
6) If you hold a bachelor’s degree, select “4th+” in the “Academic Year (online)” section.
7) Applicants either unaffiliated or affiliated with educational institutions in Russia and Belarus should list ‘Smolny Beyond Borders’ as their educational institution.
8) In the student ID section, enter ‘SBB’.
9) Consider drafting your motivation letter ahead of time. Save it as a separate file with this format: LastName_FirstName_CourseTitle for a smoother application process.